LITERARY FESTIVAL LAUNCHED BY ALAN
A PLETHORA of P’s – Pride, Passion, Professionalism and Product – was how South East Radio’s Alan Corcoran described the Wexford Literary Festival at the 2017 Launch at Enniscorthy Castle on Thursday, February 16.
Alan began by saying how delighted he was to be asked to launch such an exciting festival for County Wexford. While he admitted that he didn’t have a lot of time for leisure reading, the written word, he went on, is hugely important for broadcasters, journalists and indeed anyone in the media, being their first port of call for research, bios and background.
Alan spoke about some of his favourite exponents of the written word that he had been lucky enough to meet and interview, namely Hugh Leonard, John B Keane and Maeve Binchy but his greatest praise was for two of our own that he has the pleasure of knowing and working with Billy Roche and Eoin Colfer.
Alan complimented the Festival Committee under chairperson Carmel Harrington and praised them for their professional approach and in particular their youth policy incorporating the Book Trailer Award into the festival and showcasing the amazing creativity of Coláiste Bride TY students, present at the launch in their fantastic Junk Kouture creations Once Upon A Time and the War of the Roses.
Alan concluded by wishing the festival well saying this one is a winner and will only continue to grow and flourish.
Launch MC Carmel Harrington outlined the 2017 festival programme of events including one-act drama award at the Presentation Arts Centre on Friday the 19th, panel discussions and author workshops on Saturday the 20th at the Church Institute, in conversation with leading author Sinéad Moriarity with Gin Cocktails in Enniscorthy Castle on Saturday evening, May 20, and Colm Tóibín Short Story Award and International Poetry Award on Sunday, May 21, at the Athenaeum.
The focus of the festival, Carmel said, is to involve everyone interested in the written word – authors, poets, playwrights and readers – and also to showcase Enniscorthy and all of its magnificent venues.
Wexford County Council chairman Paddy Kavanagh was lavish in his praise of the festival and the wonderful people on the committee, people he said that are positive influences in the town and are always eager to offer their support and ex- pertise to improve it.
As secretary of the Festival Committee I was delighted to make a presentation of cheque for €1,000 to Jon Hinchliffe of the Alzheimer Society, the proceeds from our charity anthology From Wexford With Love.
Graphic Designer Brian Byrne made a presentation on the new Festival Branding and Carmel Harrington declared the new website live and ready for submissions.
So go online now and book those tickets to avoid disappointment: wexfordliteraryfestival.com.