Limerick Literary Festival 2016

Limerick Literary Festival 2016 – The festival officially opens on Friday February 26 at 6pm in Limerick City Gallery of Arts, Pery Square. Picture: Sean Curtin, FusionShooters.

Limerick Literary Festival 2016

Internationally acclaimed writers Louis de Bernières, Tim Pat Coogan, Claire Keegan, Judi Curtin, Kevin Myers and Donal Ryan are included in an impressive line-up of participants in this year’s Limerick Literary Festival from February 26–28th.

Limerick Literary Festival 2016 (formerly known as The Kate O’Brien Weekend), has been held annually since 1984 in honour of the life and works of the Limerick-born novelist and playwright Kate O’Brien.

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For this year’s Limerick Literary Festival 2016, the theme of which is ‘Rebellion’ in keeping with the Centenary year of the Easter Rising, features author visits, readings, lectures and panel discussions at The Belltable, Limerick City Gallery of Art, the City Library (The Granary) and The Lime Tree Theatre in Limerick City.

The Limerick Literary Festival 2016 once again features the presentation of the annual Kate O’Brien Award to the best novel or short story collection by a debut Irish female writer.

Festival organisers today (Thursday, 4 February 2016) unveiled a programme that features Louis de Bernières, author ofCaptain Corelli’s Mandolin; Donal Ryan, writer and Booker Prize nominee; Claire Keegan, award-winning short story writer;Tim Pat Coogan, Ireland’s best known historical writer; Judi Curtin, the bestselling author of 22 books for children and adults; and Kevin Myers, journalist and broadcaster.

Other contributors to the three-day festival include Niall Mc Monagle, poet and Editor of ‘Poetry Now’; Dr. Tom Clonan, lecturer in DIT’s School of Media and author of Blood, Sweat and Tears; Catriona Lally, Novelist; Theo Dorgan, poet, novelist and broadcaster; Claudia Boyle, internationally renowned soprano; Sara Baume, short fiction writer and essayist; Thomas Lynch, poet, writer and winner of The American Book Award; Mike MacDomhnaill, poet and short story writer; and Pauline Bewick, one of Ireland’s most acclaimed artists.

“We are delighted to present a star studded line-up for the 32nd edition of the Limerick Literary Festival in honour of Kate O’Brien, the distinguished Limerick author,” commented Sheila Deegan, Limerick Arts Officer and Festival Committee member.

“Building on this significant history, the Limerick Literary Festival seeks now to promote Limerick nationally as a place of literary excellence and to provide a platform where readers can meet their favourite authors and other readers,” she said.

The Festival will officially be launched by memoirist and journalist Kevin Myers on Friday February 26th at 6.00 pm in Limerick City Gallery of Art, Pery Square. It will be followed by the ‘As Music and Splendour’ recital, which this year will feature internationally renowned soprano Claudia Boyle, accompanied by pianist Mairéad Hurley.

The official festival opening will be preceded on Thursday 25th February at 8p.m. with Kaleidoscope Night Concert in the Belltable, 69 O’Connell Street.  Earlier on Friday February 26th, in association with the City Library at The Granary, Limerick novelist Judi Curtin and short story author Mike Mac Domhnaill will host a free reading.

On Saturday, Limerick City Gallery of Art will host eminent poet, author and undertaker Thomas Lynch, acclaimed short story writer Claire Keegan, esteemed historian and journalist Tim Pat Coogan, internationally celebrated author Louis de Bernieres, prize winning poet and travel writer Theo Dorgan and debut novelist Caitriona Lally.

The Lime Tree Theatre will host journalist and novelist Tom Clonan on Sunday morning before a special event entitled Desert Island Books where well known Limerick author Donal Ryan and accomplished new Irish writer Sara Baume will reveal their choice of books including “The book I would never lend”. And for the finale, the illustrious Pauline Bewick will be in conversation with the popular critic and Editor Niall MacMonagle.

The Limerick Literary Festival is organised by the Kate O’Brien Committee and sponsored by The Arts Council, Limerick City and County Council, No. 1 Pery Square, O’Mahony’s Booksellers, Lawless Flowers, Country Choice, PriceWaterhouseCoopers and Leahy & Partners Solicitors, Fine’s Jewellers, Kleiser Pianos, David Punch & Co. Solicitors.

For a full listing of all events and booking details visit www.limerickliteraryfestival.com.
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