Festivals and Events | Dublin Book Festival 2025

Dublin Book Festival 2025

– celebrating Ireland's writers and publishers –

Dublin Book Festival has announced it programme for 2025, with over 100 events taking place in venues around the city during the first full week in November, celebrating Ireland's writers and publishers. A selection of these events, that may appeal to writers and publishers in particular, are listed below.

• In The Art of Writing for a Living, writers and editors, Naoise Dolan, Martin Doyle, and Lisa McInerney delve into this very topic, in conversation with Gemma Tipton. Further information …
• At the festival's opening night, one of Ireland's best loved literary magazines, The Dublin Review, will be celebrated, with a stellar line-up of writers. Further information …

Several events showcasing and celebrating emerging authors include:

• Emerging Voices and Shadows of Our Past are panel discussions around debut novels
• Short Stories in Focus delves into three debut short-story collections
• The annual launch for the well-loved Winter Papers anthology will take place at that festival hub and is always a big draw for the writing community
• A walking-writing workshop will take place in the grounds of IMMA, with acclaimed poet and playwright, Colm Keegan, using nature as your muse
• Join a historical fiction writing workshop with author Juliana Adelman

The organisers "appreciate your support in reaching as many book lovers and keen writers as possible, and hope to see many of you there!"

The Dublin Book Festival takes place over five days in November. For further information, and to book your tickets, visit the festival's website.

Book Launch | Only When I'm Dancing Can I Feel This Free by Wayne Power

Only When I’m Dancing Can I Feel This Free

– part of Waterford Writers Weekend 2023 –

Wayne Power's third poetry collection
to be launched as part of
Waterford Writers Weekend 2023,
26-29 October

Waterford Writers Weekend gets underway today, 26 October and runs until the 29th, with a full programme of events that includes the launch of the latest volume of poetry from Wayne Power, Only When I'm Dancing Can I Feel This Free.

"… this new collection once again showcases his endless gift to wield words that will make you laugh, cry and think. All wrapped up in a singular, powerful and unique voice that celebrates and laments modern Ireland, modern romance, in a comedic, thought-provoking, gritty and edgy style. With an unmistakable grá for his home town of Waterford. We are delighted to launch this collection with him."

St Patrick's Gateway Centre in Waterford is the venue for this event, which starts at 7pm. Tony Kelly, whose film, The Hurler, is currently showing in Irish cinemas will officially unveil the book.

Wayne Power is an author is clearly well into his groove at this stage in his career. His latest collection offers more than a nod and a wink to the Queen of Pop, also expressing and a debt of gratitude, perhaps.

Wayne says of his latest offering:

"The lyrics from which this book is named after, I feel are fitting. They encapsulate joy and freedom: something I have struggled and fought for, for a long time and feel I have achieved through poetry and spoken word. I have found my voice and freedom through this beautiful art form that has ultimately changed my life."

Wayne Power is a writer, poet and spoken-word artist based in Waterford City who has come to prominence in recent years, both locally and nationally, through his performance art, poetry and plays that he has written. His work has been described as "speaking for and to a lot of his generation" in the words of playwright, Jim Nolan.

His third collection is, arguably, the strongest to date, which is no mean feat, coming on the back of two previous volumes – Everyone’s a Star after Midnight from 2020 and Neon Hearts and the Angry Mob in 2022 – that were well received by audiences and critics alike.

Only When I’m Dancing Can I Feel This Free by Wayne Power is published under the imprint of The Manuscript Publisher. Copies of the book are also available to buy online, along with other published work by Wayne Power.

Festivals and Events | SiarScéal Festival 2023

SiarScéal Awards Day 2023

SiarScéal Awards Day 2023

This coming Saturday, 21 October, sees the SiarScéal Festival make its annual return with an Awards Day hosted by Roscommon County Library at the library's headquarters in Abbeytown in Roscommon, between 2pm and 4pm.

"It will be a great day," says Ruairí Ó hAodha of Roscommon County Library, "where we will get to hear some of Roscommon's youngest and newest authors reading from their work and hear also from the adult winners of the Hanna Greally prize. We are also keen to hear from people of all ages regarding what direction they would like to see the festival take in the years ahead."

Announcement of winners in the Hanna Greally Literary Awards for 2023 will form part of the proceedings, with the festival's new creative coordinator, Mary Branley and former director, Gwen McNamara Bond on hand to present the prizes.

The event is open to the general public and light refreshments will be served.

Festivals and Events | SiarScéal Festival and the Hanna Greally Literary Awards

Hanna Greally Literary Awards 2023 Now Open for Entries

– part of SiarScéal Festival 2023 celebrations –

Entries are now being accepted for the Hanna Greally Literary Awards 2023, which takes place as part of the annual SiarScéal Festival. Cash prizes totalling €400 are up for grabs but better be quick: the closing date for entries is this coming Friday, 22 September, to be received no later than 5pm (Irish time).

Entry is free but limited to one per participant. Entries may be in the style of poetry (maximum of 100 lines) or prose/short story (maximum of 2000 words). A cash prize of €200 will be awarded to each of the overall winners in the Poetry and Prose/Short Story categories. Detail of how to enter (including competition rules, etc) are available from the website of SiarScéal (see Competition page).

Winners will be announced and prizes presented at SiarScéal Festival 2023, to take place on Saturday, 21 October at Roscommon Co. Library, Abbey Street, Roscommon Town. Also featuring in this year's festival programme of events is a symposium of young authors, who will read from their work contained within their own handmade book, produced with the help of artist, Vanya Ward

SiarScéal is an annual arts and literary festival that has run every year since 2007 and takes place in Roscommon, drawing inspiration from unique culture and heritage of the Roscommon environs, together with the regional counties of Leitrim and Sligo.

SiarScéal – annual arts and literary festival that takes place in Roscommon

Festivals and Events | SiarScéal Festival 2022 | Book Launch

 The Word According to Crow by Sinead McClure

– to be launched at SiarScéal Festival 2022 –

The Word According to Crow
by Sinead McClure

SiarScéal Festival 2022 is going ahead this Saturday, 12 November as planned with just one addition. The launch of the book, The Word According to Crow by Sinead McClure will be included in the festival proceedings, full details of which are posted online to the festival's website.

Sinead is a writer, radio producer and illustrator. In June 2022, she won the Roscommon Chapbook Bursary for this collection, copies of which will be on sale on the day and the author may even be persuaded to sign a few! Further information about this book and Sinead's other work may be found on her website.

Elsewhere, the winners of the Hanna Greally Literary Awards for 2022 will be announced on the day of the festival, with prizes presented and winners invited to recite their work.

As in previous years, the festival will conclude with an ever popular, open-mike session, when authors of all genres and experience are invited to perform their work.

Proceedings get under way at 10am and will run until 5pm with a break for lunch. The venue for the festival Roscommon County Library HQ in Roscommon Town.

Festivals and Events | SiarScéal Festival 2022 | Hanna Greally Literary Awards

SiarScéal Festival 2022: Dates for Your Diary

– including the Hanna Greally Literary Awards –

SiarScéal Festival 2022 takes place on Saturday, 12 November at Roscommon County Library HQ. Proceedings get underway at 10am and a full programme of events is available from the festival website.

The closing date for the Hanna Greally Literary Awards, which takes place annually, in conjunction with the festival, is Friday, 14 October. There is every enticement to get you entries in. A total prize fund of €600 will be dispensed, including prizes of €200 each for overall winners in the poetry and prose categories plus, €100 each for highly commended entries and a €100 prize for overall winner in a separate Student category.

Entry is free but limited to one per person and may consist of poetry or prose/short story writing styles but should be on the theme of this year's competition, which is Sunlit Mornings, Ebbing Tides. Full details, including terms and conditions and how to enter are available from the SiarScéal website – see Competitions page.

Results will be announced and, prizes presented at the festival in November. Music, recitals, readings from the winning entries, an open-mike session will also feature on the day.

For further information about SiarScéal Festival and the Hanna Greally Literary Awards may be found on the SiarScéal website.

Dates for Your Diary

Hanna Greally Literary Awards

• Closing date for entries is Friday, 14 October 2022 with results to be announced at ...

SiarScéal Festival 2022

• Date: Saturday, 12 November 2022
• Time: starts 10pm
• Venue: Roscommon County Library HQ, Abbey Street, Roscommon (see Google Maps for directions)

The Much-Maligned Mary Pike and Other Stories

Recently published, The Much-Maligned Mary Pike: The Rebel County and '98 by Kieran Groeger will feature at two events, in Waterford and in Cork, over the coming fortnight.

The Much-Maligned Mary Pike
by Kieran Groeger

Mary Pike was a wealthy, young Quaker heiress who was kidnapped in July 1797 by a widowed knight, Sir Henry Brown Hayes, intent on forcing her into marriage and getting his hands on her fortune. She was rescued from his house, Vernon Mount, in Cork city.

He fled the country but, then deciding that public opinion was in his favour, he challenged her to face him in court. He was shocked when Mary Pike won the case and he was soon sentenced to transportation for life in Australia, where the governor was a certain Captain Bligh, lately of the Bounty.

Sadly, the history books tell us that the subsequent ordeal was too much for Mary Pike – she suffered a nervous breakdown and died in a mental hospital.

The author, Dr Kieran Groeger, delights in stripping away the layers of documentation, analysing legends, old newspaper accounts, piecing together the clues to reveal a truly astonishing story.

The 1798 Rebellion of the United Irishmen features as backdrop to these events. It may surprise people who ask, 'did nothing happen in Cork?' to learn that quite a lot took place during this period, as the city is brought to life in this much anticipated volume.

Kieran will be among the line-up for this coming Sunday, 5 May at Dromana House and Gardens, where where a day long programme on the theme of "In Pursuit of the Heiress" will be held. The event runs from 10.30am to 4pm, with breaks for lunch and afternoon tea. Other talks will be provided by Julian Walton, Judy Brittain and Dr. Dagmar O’Riain-Raedel. Enquires and bookings can be made through Dromana House and Gardens website.

On the following Friday, 10 May, the formal launch of The Much-Maligned Mary Pike will take place at the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork, starting 12.30am, where originals of illustrations featured in the book are on display. The event is hosted by Friends of Crawford Art Gallery and all are welcome to attend.

The Much-Maligned Mary Pike: The Rebel County and '98 by Kieran Groeger is published by The Manuscript Publisher and on sale now. It is available to buy online as well as in all good bookshops. RRP €14.99.

Kieran Groeger, author of The Trial and Execution of James Cotter, the Little Book of Youghal, along with other books and articles on Irish and local history, is a retired teacher, avid Francophile and regular cyclist.

Race, Politics and the Media – in conversation with Gary Younge

Gary Younge, a multiple award-winning author, broadcaster and editor-at-large for The Guardian, will be talking race, politics and the media with Joy Francis, executive director of Words of Colour Productions.

Date: Wednesday, 21 June
Time: 7pm
Venue: Waterstones Piccadilly, 203/206 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9HD

Gary has written five books: Another Day in the Death of America, The Speech, Who Are We?, Stranger in a Strange Land and No Place Like Home. Born in Hertfordshire to Barbadian parents, Gary grew up in Stevenage, studied French and Russian at Heriot Watt University and Newspaper Journalism at City University. After nine years of reporting for The Guardian from all over Europe, Africa, the US and the Caribbean, Gary was appointed The Guardian's US correspondent in 2003, where he spent 12 years before returning to London, with his wife and two children, in 2015.

In 2017, he was awarded the J. Anthony Lukas Prize – which "recognises superb examples of nonfiction on an American topic" – for Another Day in the Death of America by New York's Columbia University and the Aaronson Outstanding Achievement Award for Social Justice Journalism by the City University of New York. The book has also been shortlisted for The Orwell Prize 2017, for political writing.

As well as being interviewed, Gary will read from the heart-rending Another Day in the Death of America before taking part in an audience Q&A and a book signing.

Tickets costs £5 and are available online, in store or by telephone – 020 7851 2400. If you have any questions or queries please contact Waterstones Piccadilly. Attendees are advised that photography and/or filming will take place at this event.

Poetry Day Ireland – 27th April

27 April is Poetry Day Ireland. This year's theme is Poetry Connects and Poetry Ireland is inviting everyone to "join-in, link-up, and connect through the power of poetry. Find an event near you in our What's On guide or browse our brochure" both of which are available from Poetry Ireland website.

From Kerry to Derry, there will be more than 100 creative, inspiring and thought-provoking events taking place on Thursday 27 April. The many wonderful events that are planned are a testament to the dedication and commitment of our partners, and to poetry lovers and event promoters around the country, who do so much to keep Ireland’s poetry landscape vibrant all year round. Have a look at what's in store at www.poetryday.ie or browse our brochure to find an event near you. – Poetry Ireland

Get Your Thinking Caps On for World Philosophy Day!

Today marks World Philosophy Day, a celebration inaugurated in 2002 by UNESCO. Since 2005, World Philosophy Day has been observed on the third Thursday in November. UNESCO leads World Philosophy Day – but does not own it because, as they say. "It belongs to everyone, everywhere, who cares about philosophy".

On this day, everyone everywhere is encouraged to "to share their philosophical heritage and to open their minds to new ideas, as well as to inspire a public debate between intellectuals and civil society on the challenges confronting our society."

Events taking place this year include a programme at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris that has been devised to tie in with World Tolerance Day, which was yesterday.

Closer to home (if home for you is in or around Rathmines, Dublin that is) New Acropolis – a non-profit organisation for the purpose of advancement of education – is organising a series of free public lectures this Saturday, 19 November. The programme starts at 3pm with a talk On the Beauty of the Soul. This will be followed by further public discussions on What are the causes of the disillusion and chaos in the world? and The Irish Renaissance.

Further information is available from the organisation's website.

Book Launch: The Unity Project by Brian Corvin. Thurs 6 October at Irish Writers' Centre

The Unity Project, the title of the recently published second volume of poetry and verse by artist and poet, Brian Corvin, will be formally launched at The Irish Writers' Centre on Thursday, 6 October starting 6:30pm.

The Unity Project
by Brian Corvin

Brian’s first book, The Dream Journey, published in 2009, took him 50 years to write. This second volume has taken him just five years, which, he describes, as "progress of a kind". In The Unity Project, he sets out to complete the task that he set himself with his first outing.

The book takes its title from the long anchor poem contained within, itself inspired by the writings of Abdul Baha (1844-1921) who, over 150 years ago, put forward the view that 'the earth is but one country and mankind its citizens'. It was with the intention of exploring the ramifications of such ideas that set Brian Corvin on his own journey.

"I wrote the poem, The Unity Project, about the next step in our evolutionary development, to give voice to my beliefs and hopes for a better world," says Brian.

The conclusions that he has come to are set forward in the two volumes of poetry that have been published to date. They are also presented, in summary form, on a website that is being launched to coincide with the new publication. This, he hopes, offers a platform that can "develop and morph into a people’s power movement, which can and will work for real and fundamental change on three levels: the individual, the communal and the global."

The Unity Project by Brian Corvin is published by The Manuscript Publisher and available to buy online, in print and e-book editions. Further information is available from the websites of the author and the publisher.

Signed copies will also be available at the launch to take place at the Irish Writers' Centre on Parnell Square, Dublin on Thursday, 6 October starting 6.30pm. Make a note in your diary. Download your invitation here. For directions to the Irish Writers' Centre, see map.

Wesport Arts Festival - 5 days of music, theatre, literature, visual art

Westport Arts Festival begins today (Wednesday, 28th September) and runs for five days, to Sunday, 2nd October, offering a strong and diverse selection of events to appeal to all ages and tastes.

As well as talks and literary readings, the festival programme of events is promising "top class music, theatre, visual art, comedy, film and craft from local, national and international artists". Full details are available from the festival website and can also be downloaded, in brochure form.

The festival also hosts an annual poetry competition. This year's competition offers its largest prize fund ever, with a first prize of €1000.

SiarScéal Festival 2016 to Take Place in October

SiarScéal Festival 2016 is to take place over two days (7-8 October) in Roscommon Town. The late Hanna Greally, author of Bird's Nest Soup, will be honoured at this year's festival, which will also see the launch of a new anthology, Centenary in Reflection, produced by SiarScéal writers from Ireland and abroad.

The official launch of the two-day event will be presided over by Cllr Tony Ward, Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council. This will take place in the Fortfield Suite of the Abbey Hotel in Roscommon Town and will include readings from winners and participating schools in the Hanna Greally Literary Awards, which were adjudicated by Ann Joyce.

In the afternoon, Lunatic There I Go, a Floating World Theatre Company presentation, will offer a dramatic and spoken word interpretation of the world of Hanna Greally - a story that is guaranteed to spark an response in every audience.

The following day, Saturday 8 October, Roscommon County Library HQ provides the venue for the launch of Centenary in Reflection, an anthology of poetry, prose, short stories, charting and celebrating the events that have made up the last 100 years, following the journey of a nation re-birthed through rebellion.

Roscommon County Council Arts Officer, Mary Mullins and acting County Librarian, Mary Butler will formally launch the anthology. The evening will also see the presentation of the Ger Hanily Memorial Cup, an annual award for literary achievement that forms part of the festival. Recitals from guest authors - including Ann Joyce, Mary Branley, Mary Melvin Geoghegan, Mary Guckian, Kieran Furey - will round off the evening that will also feature an Open Mike session, for anyone else who would like to take part. Refereshments will also be provided.

Further information about SiarScéal, including the festival programme of events, is available from their website, where copies of Centenary in Reflection, along with other SiarScéal publications, are available to buy online, in print and e-book editions.

Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival

The annual Cape Clear Island International Storytelling Festival takes place this weekend. It runs from Friday through Sunday (2-4 September). Ireland's southernmost inhabited island provides the location and the backdrop, consisting of stunning scenery, folklore and uniqueness of the island's flora and fauna.

The festival is now in its 22nd year, having run continuously since 1994. Accomplished storytellers from around the world are invited to participate. A programme of events is available to download from the festival website, along with other information, including how to get there.

Poetry Day Ireland - 28 April 2016

"Poetry Ireland is presenting Poetry Day Ireland on Thursday 28 April 2016. With this year's theme of Revolution, we're inviting everyone to rebel, revolutionise and organise to make poetry inescapable and irrepressible for a day."

A number of events are planned around Ireland in celebration of the written and spoken word. The theme, say the organisers, "is more of a springboard than a rigid structure. We encourage organisers and collaborators to rebel against it, to revolutionize it and make it their own."

For more information see the official website.

Book Launch: Melodies at Eventide by Rex Lee. A Memoir about Overcoming Disability

In the days before scientific advances and the accompanying rise of modern conveniences made life easier, people born with severely limiting disabilities relied very much upon compassion, understanding and networks of support in order to make their way in the world. A soon to be published volume of memoirs, Melodies at Eventide by Rex Lee, is a personal account of somebody who overcame disability, never allowing it to limit his outlook or narrow his horizons.

Out of desperation was born the motivation to embrace the philosophy of physical and mental compensation: by finding a faculty for the one he lost or never had. Rex is living proof that this can overcome most obstacles to leading a normal and independent life. It has in his own words been 'a privileged existence'. - friend and colleague, Peter McKevitt (from the Foreword to this edition)

Rex's story is also the story of Ireland as a country striving to assert itself on the world stage, overcoming barriers and obstacles that history had put in the way. His account spans much of period following Independence. Through his own involvement and activism (including work with organisations such as Macra na Feirme and the Irish Farmers' Association) he both witnessed and played a part in the making and shaping of the Irish society that has been handed down to us today.

The book will be formally launched by Fergus Finlay, CEO of Barnardos Ireland, on Tuesday, 9 February at Kells Public Library (corner of Maudlin Street and Carrick Street in Kells, Co. Meath). The evening commences at 7pm. Light refreshments will be available and signed copies of Rex's memoir will be on sale.

Melodies at Eventide by Rex Lee is published by The Manuscript Publisher (ISBN: 978-0-9576729-7-0) and is available to buy online. RRP €12.99 plus P&P. An e-book edition is to follow soon.

Penzance Literary Festival 2016

Penzance Literary Festival 2016 takes place from 6-9 July. Submissions are now being accepted on the 'very flexible' theme of Going Underground.

West Penwith has a history as a mining community and that is what inspired us, but what goes underground is so much more: music, espionage, counter culture, earthworms, moles and hobbits…

Guidelines are available to view online and to download. The final date for submissions is 19 February. Further information is available from the festival website and Facebook page.

Bradford Festival of Literature 2016

The 2016 Bradford Literature Festival takes place from 20-29 May. The festival programme will be formally launched in March.

Bradford Literature Festival offers a distinct, diverse and dynamic blend of programming. As well as celebrating the spoken and written word in its broadest sense, the festival celebrates the UK’s literary, historical, cultural and faith heritage. The range of events aim to provide a literary offer in the heart of Bradford, reflecting the cultural sensibilities of the city’s diverse demographic; thereby acting as a bridge between different communities as well as a neutral space for dialogue.

You can keep up-to-date with the latest festival news by following online. The festival website includes information about Bradford's history and heritage, maps of the area including festival venues.