5 September 2022
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Spike Island has hosted its inaugural Spike Island Literary Festival which took place from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th September. Dedicated to the popular theme of crime writing, the festival had a unique island location with a dark history of four prisons over 400 years – the perfect setting for inspiring writers.
Led by the Spike Island Literary Festival committee – Cobh author Michelle Dunne, Island Manager John Crotty and Dorota Gubbins, the island’s museum curator – the festival featured several acclaimed local and national writers and provided a unique event within the grounds of an ancient fortress and prison.
The programme of events featured a stellar line-up of renowned authors such as Alex Barclay, Liz Nugent, Mark Billingham, John Connolly, Tadgh Coakley, Conal Creedon, Amy Cronin, Catherine Kirwin, Michelle Dunne and Andrea Mara.
Two of Ireland’s foremost thriller writers – Alex Barclay and Liz Nugent – were be interviewed by broadcaster PJ Coogan. On Saturday 3rd September renowned author Philip Davison led an insightful screenwriting workshop detailing the challenges and incredible rewards of writing for the screen. That was followed by a rare opportunity to meet face to face with one of Ireland’s most renowned publishing houses, Liberties Press and later that evening, there was be an author-led conversation with renowned writers John Connolly and Mark Billingham.
Sunday 4th September saw an intimate crime writing workshop with author Kevin Doyle before the festival came to a close with bestselling Cork authors Michelle Dunne and Andrea Mara being interviewed.
Cllr. Anthony Barry, Deputy Cork County Mayor speaking at Spike Island Literary Festival 2022
Photo Joleen Cronin
John Crotty, Spike Island General Manager speaking at Spike Island Literary Festival 2022
Photo Joleen Cronin
Author Alex Barclay speaking at Spike Island Literary Festival 2022
Photo Joleen Cronin
Musicians Eimear Ní Bhroin and Bríd Cranitch pictured at Spike Island Literary Festival 2022
Photo Joleen Cronin
Sharon Conroy, Cork County Council; Conor Nelligan, Heritage Council; PJ Coogan, MC; Alex Barcley, author; Liz Nugent, author; Deputy Cork County Mayor Cllr. Anthony Barry; Cllr. Sheila O’Callaghan and John Crotty, Spike Island General Manager pictured at Spike Island Literary Festival 2022
Photo Joleen Cronin
Cllr. Anthony Barry, Deputy Cork County Mayor with authors Liz Nugent, Alex Barclay and Michelle Dunne, Artistic Director Spike Island Literary Festival pictured at Spike Island Literary Festival 2022
Photo Joleen Cronin
Cllr. Anthony Barry, Deputy Cork County Mayor with authors Liz Nugent, Alex Barclay, Michelle Dunne, Artistic Director Spike Island Literary Festival and Niall O’Keeffe, Chair of Spike Island Board pictured at Spike Island Literary Festival 2022
Photo Joleen Cronin
Blarney and Whitechurch Bookclubbers Susan Sands, Grainne McSweeney, Mary Twomey, Sheila Kingston and Noelle Murphy pictured at Spike Island Literary Festival 2022
Photo Joleen Cronin
Jacqui Churcher, Tania McCollum and Mairead Harte, Crosshaven pictured at Spike Island Literary Festival 2022
Photo Joleen Cronin
David O’Byrne, Douglas pictured at Spike Island Literary Festival 2022
Photo Joleen Cronin
