BE your medium Kindle, library, second-hand stores or the best sellers’ groove in bookstores, it is clear that the Irish remain a nation of readers. Hence the buoyancy of Limerick’s (2nd) Literary Festival which although new in title, owes antecedent to 30 years of the Kate O’Brien Weekend.
Full days and plenty open out this Friday 20 to Sunday 22 with two venues, Lime Tree Theatre and No. 69 O’Connell Street host to big names alive and writing. Edna O’Brien will be interviewed by RTE’s Sean Rocks, Dr Eimear O’Connor gives insight to Sean Keating’s works and politics; poet Orfhlaith Foyle (“a superb writer”); novelist turned memoir writer Nick Barlay (Granta Best Young Novelist).
Programme expansion includes the all day conference. “‘Loss in Irish Literature’ is a new venture with academics invited from all over,” reports Vivienne McKechnie of the committee, herself a published poet. “It will be chaired by MIC’s Eugene O’Brien. As a result those involved will be coming to the full weekend.
“We are speaking of names such as Caroline Magennis of the University of Salford, and Joe O’Connor will be reading from his own works and opening the festival. The seminar retains that connection with Kate O’Brien”.
As will the award for the Best new Irish novelist. “It’s a people’s award so vote by Friday 20 at www.limerickliteraryfestival.com. There has been a lot of debut novels this year”. The committee will make a decision influenced by the hits and hopefully, secure the author for this weekend
Other big names prowl for the festival such as publisher Alan Hayes with his stock of Kate O’Brien originals amd blogger Pamela Cahill. Sadly, Ulster poet John Montague can no longer attend but we are compensated by actresses Ingrid Craigie and Cathy Belton in conversation Niall McMonagle.
Man Booker nominee Niall Williams is also out of the picture for personal reasons but Des O’Malley and his book are on the slate for Saturday 21 afternoon.
Tickets at www.limetreetheatre.ie and box office.
