22 April 2016
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Culture Update
When: July 17th – 23rd, Bantry, West Cork.
Zadie Smith, John Banville, Gloria Steinhem and Louis de Bernières are just some of the guests expected at the renowned West Cork Literary Festival which runs at various venues in Bantry, West Cork, from July 17th to 23rd. Poetry is also well represented this year with T.S. Eliot prize-winner Sarah Howe, as well as Nick Laird, Theo Dorgan and Jo Shapcott.
Join Dame Marina Warner for an evening of short stories inspired by fairy tales, legends and mythology, or listen to Gloria Steinem speak about her inspiring and profound memoir of one woman’s life-long journey, there will be plenty of special events, including readings on Whiddy Island in Bantry Bay at the festival. Literary Agent Carol Blake will share her expertise in the publishing industry, while Catherine Ryan Howard will talk about all aspects of self publishing. Hannah Griffiths, who will be Editor in Residence, has over twenty years experience in publishing, most recently as Fiction Editor at Faber and Faber.
Since the Festival’s inception in the late 1990’s workshops have been at its heart, encouraging both novice and experienced writers. Carmel Winters, Horatio Clare, Jack Lukeman, Jo Shapcott and Thomas Morris are amongst those facilitating workshops. From Writing a Novel to, the Power of Story in Journalism, Song writing to Poetry, there is a workshop to suit every aspiring, or established writer.
Join John Banville as he reads from his latest novel “The Blue Guitar” or hear about how Danielle McLaughlin, Barbara Leahy and Marie Gethins’ writing group began. Enjoy Patricia O’Reilly chatting about the life and work of Irish designer Eileen Gray, or chuckle along to Andy Miller’s ten-step programme to cure you of your bad reading habits. Kevin Barry and Cary Davies present an evening of tales of the lives of others, while Seán O’Sé hosts an evening of storytelling and song.
The Children’s Festival remains as popular as ever with events this year featuring Darren Shan, Kieran Crowley, Chrissie Gittins, Mark Wickham, Horatio Clare, E.R. Murray and Alan Early, the return of the Book Clinic, and many more special events.
The West Cork Literary Festival runs from July 17th to 23rd and is generously supported by The Arts Council, Cork County Library and Arts Service and Fáilte Ireland.
Booking on www.westcorkliteraryfestival.ie, Telephone: 027 52788/9 LoCall: 1850 788 789.
