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E-mailBookworms rejoice: The top 10 Irish writers festivals
Are you fond of an auld’ book? If you’re Irish you’ll probably answer an emphatic yes to that question.
The Irish devour literature like few other nations on earth. Over the years we’ve had 10 winners of the Nobel Prize and four of these were in literature, so no other nation has a higher per capita number of Nobel Prize winners for writing.
Ireland’s most effective secret weapon has always been the strength of its culture. The tiny island nation with a population roughly the equivalent of Manchester has always hit far above its own weight when it comes to poetry, prose and song, and to this day it’s amazing how little notice we take of the fact.
When you think about the impact Irish writing has had upon the world it’s a wonder that our arts are not given the same strategic development that government pays to our tourism and commercial enterprises.
Nonetheless, Ireland’s literary arts have created their own forums – and you’ll be amazed at how lively and passionate they actually are.
If you thought rugby or hurling was a competitive sport, wait until you’re in a room with 12 competing Irish poets angling for the one prize. You won’t see more drama and intrigue on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera, trust me.
To get started with your own literary tour of Ireland here’s a list of the 10 top annual Irish literary festivals to check out. Pick any one of them and in no time you’ll be completely absorbed by Irish culture and craic (the Irish word for a good time).
1. The Dublin Writers Festival
The annual gathering place of Irish writers and poets in the Fair City is one of the most invigorating annual literary festivals in the world. Past participants have included Nobel Prizewinner Seamus Heaney and the 2010 Dublin Writers Festival is scheduled to run from the 1st of June, so book your place now!
http://www.dublinwritersfestival.com/
2. The Franco-Irish Literary Festival
The Franco-Irish Literary Festival is held every spring in Dublin and its aim is to enhance the long-standing friendship that exists between Ireland, France and other French-speaking countries. It welcomes writers in both the English and Irish languages, together with writers of the wider francophone world and other European literatures. In doing so it provides an opportunity to showcase a wide selection of Irish and French writers before the Irish public.
