ChrisluvCelebration of Irish Writing; book now for Aspects Lit Fest
Posted on 09/08/2004ASPECTS LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2004 (22-26 SEPTEMBER)
13’s definitely not unlucky in this case!
This year marks the 13th Aspects Literature Festival and an exciting line-up of both established and emerging talent has just been announced. The Festival, a Celebration of Irish Writing, is open to all and takes place from the 22nd to the 26th September 2004 in the Heritage Centre, Bangor.
The celebration opens on Wednesday 22nd September with a gathering of Borough writers who are previous recipients of The Sir James Kilfedder Memorial Bursary. Those who like poetry are in for a treat as Adrian Rice introduces Paul Harvey Jackson, ‘The Chameleon Candidate’, Ian Sansom, author of ‘Ring Road’ and Stephen Hanson will read from their work and discuss the significance of the award to them.
This year Aspects is delighted to welcome Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill, the most prolific and popular Irish speaking poet who attracts and reaches even those who do not understand the language in which she writes. Nuala is also coming to the end of her term of office as Ireland Professor and will reflect on the past three years trials and tribulations.
On Friday 24th September bestseller Martina Devlin and Erin Kaye provide an evening of romance. Martina’s debut novel, ‘Three Wise Men’, won a Hennessy Literary Award and was followed with ‘Be Careful What You Wish For’, ‘Venus Reborn’ and the recently published ‘Temptation’. Her short stories include ‘Girls Night Out’, ‘Boys Night In’ and ‘Irish Girls About Town’. Erin’s works include ‘Mothers and Daughters’ and the recently published ‘Choices’.
Also on Friday evening Colm Toibin, himself a key figure of contemporary literature discusses the intriguing life and Irish influences of Henry James, a major figure of world literature for his novels, stories, plays and literary criticism.
And now something for the younger enthusiast, Young Aspects (in association with the Bloomfield Centre) on Saturday 25th will feature a morning of stories, pictures and songs. Oisin McGann has been writing since he was six about being in space, underwater and anywhere but school! – his tales are sure to get the imaginations going! Len Graham and John Campbell are regular faces with Young Aspects and have delighted children in local schools for years with their yarns and song singing. Local young people will present their own work in the afternoon.
During the festival writers including Maddie Strewart, Oisin McGann, Colin Bateman, Margrit Cruickshank, Catherine Charley, Len Graham and John Campbell will be visiting schools throughout North Down to read and talk about their work and writing.
On Saturday evening Malachi O’Doherty, editor of Fortnight magazine, introduces a Crime evening with Paul Charles, creator of the Detective Inspector Christy Kennedy series, and Cormac Millar, author of ‘An Irish Solution’.
Sunday afternoon sees Dean Godson, Chief Leader Writer of the Daily Telegraph and Associate Editor of the Spectator magazine, discuss his unique study of David Trimble. Dean spent considerable time with David and Daphne Trimble discussing his childhood in Bangor, career, the Peace Process, Nobel Peace Prize and First Ministership. Virtually every political figure – local, national and international, involved in the affairs of Northern Ireland in the late Twentieth Century plays their part in this book. Not to be missed - rarely has a political figure spoken so candidly!
Aspects comes to a close on Sunday evening with one of the most remarkable Irish women of the Twentieth Century, poet Maire Cruise O’Brien. Her memoir, ‘The Same Age as the State’, presents a rare personal perspective on her extraordinary life, travels and experiences, including becoming Ireland’s first woman diplomat.
Other readings throughout the festival include Claire Kilroy, recently awarded the Rooney Prize for Literature and Chris Binchy, a graduate of the Oscar Wilde Centre for Writing (and nephew of best selling novelist Maeve Binchy). Ciaran Carson, Professor of Poetry at Queen’s University and Director of the Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry introduces Mebh McGuickian, ‘The Book of the Angel’, Leontia Flynn, ‘These Days’ and Alan Gillis, ‘Somebody, Somewhere’. Hugo Hamilton reads from his memoir, ‘The Speckled People’.
To obtain a copy of the full programme please contact 028 91 27 8032 or
Louise Prentice, Aspects Marketing Officer e-mail: louise.prentice@northdown.gov.uk
Tickets, priced at £6 (£5 concession) are available from the Heritage Centre on 028 9127 1200.
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