Graham Norton, Richard E Grant and Will Sliney are among some of the high profile writers travelling to West Cork for the Literary festival
The week-long celebration of writing and reading, which always attracts international and national literary figures, opens this evening in Bantry Library
The festival along with its sister Festivals - West Cork Chamber Music Festival and Masters of Tradition - is worth close to €5 million to the local economy.
Richard E. Grant, Eimear McBride, Graham Norton, Ruth Padel, Neil Jordan, Katherine May, Alan Hollinghurst, Carol Drinkwater, Seán Ronayne, Patricia Forde, John Creedon, Claire Kilroy, Ferdia Lennon, Vona Groarke, Rafael Olympio, Salena Godden, Will Sliney and Wendy Erskine are just some of the high-profile writers making the trip to West Cork for the Festival.
“We're so excited to be able to bring all of these wonderful writers and events to West Cork” says festival director Eimear O’Herlihy. “It's been another bumper year for publishing and Irish writers continue to shine. We've a jam-packed schedule of events from three-day writing workshops to masterclasses, readings by international and Irish authors with a good mix of Cork talent, an increased focus on translated literature, a Pop Up Gaeltacht, our annual trip to Whiddy Island, showcases of new and emerging writers and yoga on the lawn of Bantry House and a sea swim for those who need a little time out. We've got novelists, short story writers, essayists, poets, illustrators, songwriters, nature writers, historians and so much more. Our events for children and young people are all free of charge and I hope that young people and families will take this opportunity to join the fun and discover a love of reading.”
