IT’S NOT often that the literary holds sway over the sporting on this island but this weekend might prove the exception with two book festivals topping the list of events.
The three-day Dublin Book Festival in the City Hall begins today, and features more than 100 writers and journalists at over 50 readings, debates, interviews, as well as events for children.
Despite the cuts in funding for the arts, organisers are keen to point out the event will be free again this year. The highlights include an interview with Nell McCafferty (today, 1pm), and the launch of a new collection of the late Nuala O’Faolain’s writing (Monday, 2.30pm). Full details can be found at www.dublinbookfestival.com
Bookish types are also expected to descend on Ennis this weekend for the town's annual book festival. Among the contributors to the festival are Orange Prize-winner Lionel Shriver, author of We Need to Talk About Kevin; Irish author Joseph O'Connor; Irish American author Thomas Lynch; and Senator Eoghan Harris. The programme of events is available on www.ennisbookclubfestival.com
A literary equivalent to Dublin’s community bike scheme was also launched this week to coincide with World Book Day. Top-selling Irish authors will be leaving signed copies of their books in public places for people to pick up, peruse and pass on.
Book enthusiasts are encouraged to take part in the month-long event by leaving their own used tomes on park benches or in coffee shops for others to enjoy. Books can be registered with the website www.bookcrossing.com, a free online book club that spans the globe and tracked to see who picked them up and where they were dropped off.
A number of events are taking place across the country this weekend to coincide with International Women’s Day on Monday.
The Sexual Violence Centre in Cork city plays host to a fashion, music and African dance show today from noon, while a number of similar events will take place in Dublin and around the country. For more details see www.internationalwomensday.com
On the sporting front, the Allianz Hurling League fixture between Kilkenny and Tipperary at Thurles looks set to finally go ahead after being cancelled twice because of poor weather.
Met Éireann is predicting generally dry weather with sunny spells, but warned temperatures would remain below normal for the time of year, with maximum temperatures of between 6 and 9 degrees.
It warned temperatures would fall considerably during the night, with slight to sharp frost forecast in eastern and northern parts.
What's On Irish Times At The Dublin Book Festival
Irish Timeswriters taking part in the Dublin Book Festival over the weekend include Literary Editor Caroline Walsh, Shane Hegarty, Gerry Thornley, Gavin Cummiskey, Rosita Boland and Eileen Battersby who will take part in a tribute to the late Chilean novelist Roberto Bolano
There will also be an
Irish Times in Conversationseries that will include playwright Tom Kilroy, journalist Nell McCafferty and children's author Gordon Snell.
A series of
Irish Times Stagereadings will include poets Theo Dorgan, Enrique Juncosa and Gerald Dawe, children's writer Sam McBriatney, as well as short story writer Claire Keegan and novelist Molly McCloskey.
One of the highlights of the weekend's programme will be the launch of a new collection of the late Nuala O'Faolain's writing.
