INTO the final week’s organisation for this year’s Limerick Literary Festival, Friday February 20 to Sunday 22, the committee has flagged changes to the promised line up. Regretfully the Man Booker shortlisted Niall Williams has had to pull out for personal reasons.
It emerges that poet John Montague, due to be interviewed by his former student Niall McMonagle, is now out of the frame due to unexpected surgery. And it makes sense that his wife, novelist Elizabeth Wassell who was also due in Limerick to deliver for the festival, will now not travel either.
McMonagle will now be in conversation with two actresses of note, Ingrid Craigie and Cathy Belton, who worked with the Limerick based Island Theatre Company (2pm, Satuday 21). At 4pm, retired Progressive Democrats founder Des O’Malley will present with his book for discussion and signing.
UL’s Frank McCourt Professor in creative writing, and novelist Joe O’Connor opens the three day event this Friday at 7pm at O’Connell Street, followed by a recital by Limerick opera singer Sarah Dolan, accompanied by Colette Davis on piano.
It’s clear the highlights remain bright and there’s a busy three days ahead, between Lime Tree Theatre and 69 O’Connell Street, the programme managed through www.limerickliteraryfestival.ie. Expect lectures, panel discussions, readings and sales from O’Mahony Booksellers on site. Ticket sales are through box office O’Connell Street and at www.limetreetheatre.ie and on site at the Mary Immaculate College campus.
Events will operate mainly out of 69 O’Connell Street with a conference on the theme of ‘loss in Irish writing’ in Mary Immaculate College and a Kate O’Brien award for the most popular Irish author.
Other participants include blogger Pamela Cahill, novelist Nick Barlay, Órflaith Foyle art historian Dr Eimear O’Connor on Seán Keating and
RTE’s Sean Rocks who will interview Clare author Edna O’Brien.
See www.limerickliteraryfestival.com and vote for your choice in the Kate O’Brien award for most popular Irish author.
