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Event: Festival 2024

Event Festival 2024

Current Month

September

16:30 - 18:45 fri27sep16:30fri18:45Festival Opening & ReceptionThis year’s Festival is officially opened by celebrated poet Patrick Cotter. Winners of the 2024 Writing Competition will read their work and receive their prizes. This event is followed by a drinks reception.Stella Maris Centre, Crossfarnoge, Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford

19:00 - 20:00 fri27sep19:00fri20:00In Conversation - Tessa Hadley & Lucy CaldwellJoin acclaimed author Tessa Hadley (After The Funeral, Free Love, Late in the Day, The Past) and award-winning writer and editor Lucy Caldwell (Openings, Intimacies, These Days, Being Various: New Irish Short Stories) in conversation about the writer's forensic compulsion to capture the essence of all that makes us human.Stella Maris Centre, Crossfarnoge, Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford

09:30 - 10:45 sat28sep09:30sat10:45Presentation - Howard Keeley on the writings of Maeve BrennanHoward Keeley, Georgia Southern University, recipient of the President of Ireland Distinguished Service Award, presents a talk on the writings of Irish journalist and short story writer Maeve Brennan (The Long-Winded Lady: Notes from The New Yorker,The Springs of Affection: Stories) with excerpts from her work read by Ballycogley Players.St Peter's Church, R 739, Townland Crossfarnoque, Co. Wexford

11:00 - 12:00 sat28sep11:00sat12:00Folklore of Wexford - Michael Fortune & Fidelis PowerWexford man Michael Fortune, artist and filmmaker, educator, collector of folklore, lover of traditional song and more will join Fidelis Power, folklorist and storyteller to bring alive many of our traditional and contemporary beliefs and customs, revealing the fluid borders where fact and fiction meet.Saltees Coast Hotel, Kilmore Quay, Beak, Wexford

11:30 - 12:30 sat28sep11:30sat12:30Interview - Elaine Feeney & Aoife BarryBooker-nominated novelist, playwright and poet Elaine Feeney (All The Good Things You Deserve, How to Build a Boat, As You Were) will sit down for a warm and intimate conversation with journalist, writer, and broadcaster Aoife Barry (Social Capital).Stella Maris Centre, Crossfarnoge, Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford

11:45 - 13:00 sat28sep11:45sat13:00Interview - Rachel Kushner & Carlo GéblerAcclaimed American essayist and novelist Rachel Kushner (The Mars Room, The Flamethrowers, Telex from Cuba) talks about her highly-anticipated novel Creation Lake with celebrated Irish writer, television director, educator and member of Aosdana Carlo Gébler (I, Antigone, Aesop's Fables: The Cruelty of the Gods, The Wing Orderly's Tales).St Peter's Church, R 739, Townland Crossfarnoque, Co. Wexford

14:30 - 15:30 sat28sep14:30sat15:30Crime Fiction - Colin Walsh, Colin Barrett & Cat HoganWexford crime writer Cat Hogan (They All Fall Down, There Was A Crooked Man) will talk to Colin Walsh (Kala) and Colin Barrett (Wild Houses, Homesickness, Young Skins) about their critically acclaimed literary crime novels and about why crime and criminality are such fertile territory for powerful and insightful storytelling.Stella Maris Centre, Crossfarnoge, Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford

14:45 - 15:45 sat28sep14:45sat15:45Discussion - GauZ’, Frank Wynne & Jackie Lynam2023 International Booker shortlistee GauZ’ (Comrade Papa, Standing Heavy) joins multi award-winning Irish literary translator Frank Wynne, and Dublin City librarian and author Jackie Lynam (Traces: Poems and Essays) to discuss GauZ’s funny, ebullient, and incisive books, the translation process and the relationship between author and translator.St Peter's Church, R 739, Townland Crossfarnoque, Co. Wexford

15:00 - 16:00 sat28sep15:00sat16:00The World of Fostering with Sadie Harpur, Fiona Neary & Geraldine QuigleySadie Harpur’s moving memoir about being raised in foster care, The Hidden World of a Foster Girl, and Fiona Neary’s account of being the biological child of foster parents, Parcels in the Post: Growing Up With Fifty Siblings, together provide a snapshot of Ireland’s fostering system. Sadie and Fiona will chat with social worker Geraldine Quigley about their lived experiences of the Irish fostering system.Saltees Coast Hotel, Kilmore Quay, Beak, Wexford

16:00 - 17:30 sat28sep16:00sat17:30Seminar - How to carve out a creative lifeJami Attenberg (A Reason to See You Again, All This Could Be Yours, The Middlesteins) invites you to join her for an immersive experience. What does it take to lead a creative life every day? This workshop will share ideas and perspectives for putting your own creativity first: How can writers best serve their own creative processes? Where do you go for inspiration? How important is community to our writing lives? And how can you create a life in this business of art? Workshop will include a talk, and a writing prompt with a group write-along. Jami will also explain the development of the worldwide literary movement #1000wordsofsummer.Lifeboat House, Lifeboat House, Kilmore Quay

16:15 - 17:15 sat28sep16:15sat17:15Short Fiction - Lucy Caldwell, Cathy Sweeney & Maggie ArmstrongShort story writers Lucy Caldwell (Openings, Intimacies, Multitudes), Cathy Sweeney (Modern Times, Breakdown) and Maggie Armstrong (Old Romantics) will read from their work, consider why short stories are experiencing a popular renaissance and discuss what short stories offer that the long form doesn’t. This session is chaired by Wexford Head Librarian, Eileen Morrissey.Saltees Coast Hotel, Kilmore Quay, Beak, Wexford

16:30 - 17:30 sat28sep16:30sat17:30In Conversation - Andrew O’Hagan & Matt CooperMulti-award-winning writer Andrew O'Hagan (Mayflies, The Illuminations, Our Fathers) returns to Write By The Sea to discuss his sprawling, Dickensian and piercingly funny state-of-a-nation novel, Caledonian Road, with Matt Cooper of The Last Word on Today FM.Stella Maris Centre, Crossfarnoge, Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford

07:00 - 07:45 sun29sep07:00sun07:45Dawn Poetry on the Beach**Presented in association with Poetry Ireland**. Looking for something different? Join us on The Little Beach for a magical, mystical, morning experience. As the sun rises in the east, let us celebrate the dawning of another day on this beautiful earth. Let us appreciate the light and the warmth of the sun which has sustained us throughout the ages. Let us reflect on the wild nature all around us, connecting with our inner selves in a tranquil and meditative space. Our local guest artists will warm our hearts with beautiful poetry, music and song to transport us to the shores where the Yola dialect was spoken by our ancestors. Audience members are invited to read/recite a short verse. Breakfast will be available after the event. Dress warmly.The Little Beach, Kilmore, Quay

09:30 - 10:30 sun29sep09:30sun10:30Presentation - Savannah’s Wexford Families with Celestine MurphyCelestine Murphy is well-known in her native Wexford as a lecturer, researcher and family history specialist. The histories of the Whelans, Staffords and Corishes, Wexford families that emigrated to Savannah in the late 1800s, will be illuminated by Celestine in this fascinating talk.Saltees Coast Hotel, Kilmore Quay, Beak, Wexford

11:00 - 12:00 sun29sep11:00sun12:00Panel - Cathy Sweeney & Niamh Mulvey in conversation with Olivia FitzsimonsNiamh Mulvey (The Amendments) and Cathy Sweeney (Breakdown) explore raw and complex emotional territory in their extraordinary debut novels. Olivia Fitzsimons (The Quiet Whispers Never Stop) chairs a conversation with two of Ireland’s rising literary stars about belonging and rebellion, rage and reckoning, joy and transformation.Stella Maris Centre, Crossfarnoge, Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford

11:30 - 12:30 sun29sep11:30sun12:30Poetry Panel - Kithy Nasa, Michael Dooley & Kerri ní DochartaighPoets Nithy Kasa (Palm Wine Tapper and The Boy at Jericho), Michael Dooley (In Spring We Turned to Water) and Kerri ní Dochartaigh (Cacophony of Bone, Thin Places) will read from their work and discuss the influence of the natural world on their writing with Dr Richard Hayes, Vice-President for Strategy at SETU.Saltees Coast Hotel, Kilmore Quay, Beak, Wexford

11:45 - 13:00 sun29sep11:45sun13:00Interview - Jami Attenberg & Rosie SchaapNew York Times bestselling author Jami Attenberg (A Reason to See You Again, All This Could Be Yours, The Middlesteins) is sometimes called “the queen of the dysfunctional family”. Jami will talk to Rosie Schaap (The Slow Road North, Drinking with Men) about her new novel, her memoir and her blockbuster book for writers and creatives, 1000 Words: A Writer's Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round.St Peter's Church, R 739, Townland Crossfarnoque, Co. Wexford

14:30 - 15:30 sun29sep14:30sun15:30Sophie Mackintosh, Sinéad Gleeson & Emilie PineAward-winning authors Sophie Mackintosh (Cursed Bread, Blue Ticket, The Water Cure) and Sinéad Gleeson (Hagstone, Constellations: Reflections from Life) will discuss their intoxicating, atmospheric novels with author and professor Emilie Pine (Ruth & Pen, Notes to Self).St Peter's Church, R 739, Townland Crossfarnoque, Co. Wexford

14:45 - 15:45 sun29sep14:45sun15:45Discussion - Writing for the Stage & ScreenJoin Billy Roche, playwright and actor, broadcaster and screenwriter Sylvia Cullen, and Garret Keogh, actor, writer and director for a discussion with Wexford theatre veteran Michael Way about the challenges and delights of writing for theatre, screen and radio/podcasts.Saltees Coast Hotel, Kilmore Quay, Beak, Wexford

15:00 - 16:00 sun29sep15:00sun16:00Kevin Barry in conversation with Peter MurphyPlaywright, screenwriter and Booker-longlisted author Kevin Barry (Night Boat to Tangier, That Old Country Music, City of Bohane) will talk to Peter Murphy (Shall We Gather at the River, John the Revelator) and read from his latest novel, The Heart In Winter. Set in Montana in the winter of 1891, The Heart in Winter is a savagely funny and achingly romantic tale of young lovers on the run. Stella Maris Centre, Crossfarnoge, Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford

16:00 - 17:30 sun29sep16:00sun17:30Performance - Lifting the Gate with Ben Mac Caoilte & Erin LalorWexford poet Ben Mac Caoilte and musician Erin Lalor will present Lifting the Gate. Wrapped in the warm sounds of the harp and fiddle, the audience is invited to approach the well of memory accompanied by those who exist now in memory alone. Slipping between song and story, Irish and English, this mesmerising and immersive event encourages you to embrace vulnerability, humanity and your own personal history.St Peter's Church, R 739, Townland Crossfarnoque, Co. Wexford

17:00 - 18:15 sun29sep17:00sun18:15Discussion - Caoilinn Hughes & Liz Jensen with Hilary Adam WhiteCaoilinn Hughes (The Alternatives, The Wild Laughter, Orchid & The Wasp) and Liz Jensen (Your Wild and Precious Life, The Ninth Life of Louis Drax, The Uninvited) are joined by writer, journalist and conservationist Hilary Adam White for a conversation about grief, hope and rebellion, and what it means to be writing in the midst of the climate crisis.Stella Maris Centre, Crossfarnoge, Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford

17:45 - 19:00 sun29sep17:45sun19:00Paul Lynch in conversation with Richard HayesPaul Lynch (Beyond the Sea, Grace, The Black Snow) talks to Dr Richard Hayes, SETU, about his 2023 Booker winning novel, Prophet Song. Prophet Song was hailed by the Booker Prize jury as capturing “the social and political anxieties of our moment so compellingly” and declared “a crucial book for our times…brilliant, haunting” by the Observer.St Peter's Church, R 739, Townland Crossfarnoque, Co. Wexford

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