We’re most definitely in countdown mode – just ten days to go to the official opening of the 10th Annual Ennis Book Club Festival! Have you chosen yet what events you’re going to attend? Do make the decision quickly as tickets are rolling out of the Box Office. Perhaps a few to whet the appetite ...
Marita Conlon-McKennaopens Festival proceedings this year with a reading and discussion of her new novel Rebel Sisters. Set in 1916, it tells the story of the three Gifford sisters, Grace, Muriel and Nelly, each of whom found herself caught up in her country’s struggle for freedom. Given the year that’s in it, it’s certainly a fitting start to the Festival weekend.
And talking of fitting starts, we’re just delighted that Evelyn Conlon will join us on Saturday morning. Evelyn took part in the Festival opening line-up some ten years ago. She’ll be joined by Henrietta McKervey, winner of the inaugural Maeve Binchy Travel Award, who herself will be gearing up for the launch of her second novel, The Heart of Everything, just ten days after Ennis.
You might want to follow with some sublime music from Ireland’s finest classical ensemble, TheVanbrugh Quartet, accompanied by poets Doireann Ní Ghríofa and Leanne O’Sullivan. Together they will premier a new collaborative project: - Smetana’s From My Life interwoven with responsive readings selected by Doireann and Leanne.
Follow with a lively discussion around the literary gem that is the short story. We’re privileged to be joined for this session by Sinéad Gleeson, winner of the Bord Gáis 2015 best Irish-published book of the year for The Long Gaze Back. She’ll be accompanied by short story writers Christine Dwyer-Hickey, Siobhán MannionandLisa McInerney.
Or take an alternative route altogether and dip into what promises to be a very lively discussion, hosted by Irish Times journalist Sara Keating, on fathers in literature. Rest assured that our contributors Cónal Creedon, Cormac James and Kevin Maher will provide a definite antidote to the Mother’s Day overload on Sunday, 06 March!
Agus ar deireadh, tar chun Seachtain na Gaeilge a cheiliúradh le Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuighagus ceoltóirí Úna Ní Fhlannagáin (cláirseach) agus Emer Ní Fhlaitheartaigh. Did you know that Ailbhe’s poem Filleadh ar an gCathair was shortlisted last year for RTÉ’s A Poem for Ireland? We’re just delighted that Music Generation Clare have supported this unique event with half-price tickets for those under-18.