Listowel Writers' Week Fringe

“Just walking down the street in Listowel is special; the feeling of people travelling to be there and having good fun when they are there.”

Writers’ Week Announce 2009 Festival Programme

Wednesday 27th to Sunday 31st May 2009.

Colm Toibin is president of Writers’ Week

Michael Lynch is Chairman of the organising committee

Listowel Writers’ Week recently gave details of their 39th Annual Festival in National Library, Dublin. It has a history. Michael Lynch is historian of Listowel Writers’ Week.

Eamon Keane, nephew of John B Keane, brother of Fergal Keane (“Letter to Daniel”), officiated at the press launch.

The Festival was officially opened by Gabriel Byrne.

Frank Hayes, Director of Corporate Affairs, Kerry Group, said

“we are delighted to sponsor the 2009 Kerry Group Irish Fiction Award. This year marks the 14th anniversary of the award, which always attracts books of exceptional merit and celebrates the wealth of talent that exists among Irish Writers.”

Niall McMonagle & Giles Foden judged, and presented the five shortlisted novels for this year’s Award:

The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry

Molly Fox’s Birthday by Deirdre Madden

Disguise by Hugo Hamilton

John the Revelator by Peter Murphy

Netherland by Joseph O’Neill.

The Festival includes : workshops, lectures, theatre performance, films, walks, and readings. Famous writers alongside new voices – some of the best in the literary world.

There are also many events for children.

“Highly distinguished without being in the least bit snobbish, Writers’ Week draws not only writers who are at the height of their renown and reputation, but those who are aspirational and are at different places in their careers.” (press release from LWW)

Anne Enright, Booker and Kerry Group Award Winner, said last year:

“Just walking down the street in Listowel is special; the feeling of people travelling to be there and having good fun when they are there.”

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This year’s line-up :

Freddie White

Live radio: a live recording of RTE Sunday Miscellany

Literary competitions: readings by winners of 2009 literary competitions

Writers’ Week Book Fair: Woulfe’s book shop in Listowel.

Exhibitions of paintings:

• Michael Flaherty (entitled The Orbit of Salt Water)

• John Morris (Summer Light)

• Deborah Donnelly (The Farmyard)

• Michelle O’Connor (Beaks, Cheeks and Udders)

• Exhibition of Book of Kells replica copy (Switzerland)

Exhibition of printmaking: “Within and Without” – prisoners exhibition

Lunchtime Theatre “Bonfire” & “Arsehammers” by Claire Dowie, performed by Cora Fenton

David Park (The Truth Commissioner)

John Montague

Photographic Exhibition Press Photographers Association of Ireland (PPAI), sponsored by AIB – Photojournalism Exhibition 2009

Jung Chang (Wild Swans, Three Daughters of China & Mao: The Unknown Story)

Mary Morrissy

Declan Hughes (All the Dead Voices)

Martina Evans (poet)

Films:

• “The Good, The Bad And The Weird”

• “Cadillac Records”

• “Frost / Nixon”

• “The Ballad of Jack and Rose” (directed by Rebecca Miller)

• “Dean Spanley”

• “The Young Victoria”

Theatre:

• “Sive” written by John B Keane performed by The Listowel Players

• “Bondi Beach Boy Blue” written by Benny Mc Donnell, performed by OCI Productions

• “The Tinker’s Curse” performed by Michael Harding

• “On Raftery’s Hill” written by Marina Carr, performed by Allen Little Theatre, Co Kildare

• “Moby Dick“, performed by Conor Lovett, directed by Judy Hegarty Lovett from Gare San Sazare Players Ireland

• “All about Eve” written by Mary Orr, performed by Classic Revival Dublin

Literary Pub Trail in the company of Abbeyfeale Drama Group

Historical Walking Tour led by Kack McKenna & Vincent Carmody

The Literary & Historical Bus Tour with musicians and dancers

Poetry:

• Three open mic poetry sessions hosted by George Rowley. One in memory of Maureen Beasley

• Poetry Slam: Munster Final of Transition Year Poetry Slam

• Afternoon Poetry Cafe – Poems without Pints
• Poetic Voices in memory of Michael Harknett: Julie O’Callaghan, Paul Perry & Matthew Sweeney

• Dermot Bolger (Night & Day): poems as wall murals, posters, projections onto pavement at night

• James McGrath (Dreaming Invisible Voices)

Songwriting: an open mic Songwriters’ Showcase featuring music written during the Song Writing Workshop

Storytelling: Adult Storytelling Competition Final, judges Batt Burns & Pat Speight, MC Maidhc Dainin O Se

Book launches:

• Georgina Eddison (Standing in the Pizzicato Rain)

• Mary Lavery Carrig (Through an Open Window)

• Tony Guerin (Tomorrow is a Lovely Day)

• Joan McBreen (Heather Island)

• The Watchful Heart (poems & essays from 24 modern Irish poets)

Christine Dwyer Hickey (Last Train From Liguria, 2009)

Kevin Barry (There are Little Kingdoms)

Amnesty International Ireland Event – Re-Imagining the Republic discussion forum

Colm Toibin (Brooklyn, 2009)

Damon Galgut (The Imposter, 2008), James Kelman (Boy)

Lecture: The Seamus Wilmot Memorial Lecture by Gerry Jackson

Interview: George Kimball (Last Great Era of Boxing) by Billy Keane

Rebecca Miller (The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, 2008)

Leland Bardwell (A Restless Life, 2008)

Terry Jones,(Barbarians 2006)

Dr Ivor Browne (Music and Madness 2008)

Carol Drinkwater

Louis de Bernierès Words and Music performance with Llone Antonius-Jones

Dermot Bolger (The Family on Paradise Pier)

Carol Drinkwater (The Olive Tree)

Full details of the 2009 Festival can be found on www.writersweek.ie

Welcome to Listowel Writers’ Week Fringe blog. This is the first of very many posts relating to the wonderful literary festival that is Listowel Writers’ Week.