I’m really excited to be reading at Listowel this year as part of the New Writers’ Salon on 31st May and 1st June 2013 along with the likes of Noel O’Regan, Elizabeth Reapy, Stephen James Smith, Eimear Ryan, Madeleine D’Arcy, Jennifer Matthews, Kerrie O’Brien and Victoria Kennefick. There’s some seriously talented poets and story writers in there. Check out the Writers’ Week Blog for interviews and updates.
All that excitement aside it will be the first time I’ve been to the festival, and I’m looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere and getting to see some serious writers and poets in action. Here’s a very brief round up of what’s on offer straight from the horse’s mouth:
“On Wednesday 29th May we will open our 2013 Listowel Writers’ Week Festival. We will announce the winner of the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the year 2013 as well as presenting prizes to over 50 more prizewinners of our literary competitions. John Bowman will have the honour of opening our 42nd Festival.
Earlier in the afternoon of 29th May,John Bowman will be signing his latest book, Window and Mirror; RTE Television 1961-2011 in Woulfe’s Book Shop on Church Street at 2pm.
Thursday morning will see over 200 scholars heading off to their respective workshops and spending three glorious mornings, learning, gleaning, and absorbing every piece of inspiration and advice from their mentors who will in turn guide their eager students from thought to page. There are a limited number of places still available in our Workshops, places can be booked online here, or contact us on 068 21074 for further information.
From there, we will throw open our doors to over 130 varied, interesting, thought provoking, funny, playful and memorable events. Tickets for all our events can now be booked Online which is a new initiative for Listowel Writers’ Week 2013 but should you wish to book in the traditional way we would be happy to take your calls. Please also remember that if you are coming as part of a group, we would be delighted to talk to you about our special festival group rates.
Themes running through this year’s festival are of course The Gathering – we have four events covering topics such as:
- Contemporary Irish Writing Abroad;
- The Irish Famine; there will be a Walk on Friday morning following by discussion forum on Friday evening.
- A tribute to legendary Irish Poet Máire Mhac an tSaoi – who we are thrilled will be with us on Saturday evening;
- The Irish/American Short Story and Poem.
We will celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the the publication of The Quiet Manby local writer Maurice Walsh through theatre, film and tour.
For music lovers, there will be plenty of choice; on Friday evening John Montague & Chieftains’ Founder Paddy Moloney will perform an evening of poetry and music, Alt.country musician Willy Vlautin will perform with his band The Richmond Fontaine and the songs of Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel which were rendered into exquisite Irish by Liam O’Muirthile will be performed on Sunday Morning in St John’s Theatre.
In other festival news, sketch Artist, Mike O’Donnell will be with us every day recording the festival through pencil and paper and we are really looking forward to seeing his sketches. Restauranteur and author, Paul Treyvaud will be in Allos Bar & Restaurant on Thursday 30th May at 2.30 where he will reveal what really happens behind kitchen and hotel doors. Original Kerrywill have their pop-up shop again this year showcasing the best in Kerry fine craft. You can pop in and experience demonstrations in different craft-making techniques each day. In addition there will be a craft fair taking place in The Seanchaí Centre on Sunday all day.
We will round off the festival on Sunday evening with our annual Storytelling Event. Sit back and listen to all that is good about Irish Storytelling.”
It should be a blast!
