The 35th Listowel Writers' Week begins tomorrow in the Co Kerry town. Writers are as diverse as Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko and local up-and- coming writer, Billy Keane, son of the late John B Keane, the festival's founder member and playwright.
A publican and newspaper columnist, Keane will launch his debut novel, The Last of the Heroes, on Thursday.
More than 50 events are scheduled over the five days, including readings by Carol Ann Duffy, Roddy Doyle and Colm Tóibín, and "a crime- writing event" by Lawrence Block and Ken Bruen. Journalist Robert Fisk will deliver this year's Dr Séamus Wilmot memorial lecture on Saturday.
The late west Limerick bilingual poet Michael Hartnett will be remembered in a poetry symposium on Saturday. There will also be plenty of drama, film, workshops, art exhibitions and a children's programme.