All systems go for Literary Festival

A FULL programme of events is planned for the Wexford Literary Festival, kicking off this weekend on Friday May 19 at 4pm at Enniscorthy Library with the Children’s Book Trailer Award, then at 8pm at the Presentation Arts Centre with Enniscorthy Drama performing four 15-minute plays to see who will come away with the inaugural One Act Drama Award.

On Saturday May 20 the Church Institute is the venue for author talks, panel discussions and workshops with some of Ireland’s top writers – Andrea Hayes, Shane Dunphy, Louise Hall, Michael O’Higgins, Alex Barclay, Lisa Coen, Sarah Davis Goff, Sue Leonard and Gaby Smith discussing ghost writing, crime writing, non-fiction writing and the world of publishing.

While at the library authors Shane Hegarty and Caroline Busher will host story time for younger readers and writers of the future.

At 8pm on Saturday evening Enniscorthy Castle will be transformed into a gin joint with class as Wexford Literary Festival Chairperson Carmel Harrington will be in conversation with leading Irish author Sinead Moriarty as gin cocktails are delicately sipped from china tea cups.

Sunday May 21 is the awards ceremony at the Athenaeum at 3pm when Bibi Baskin will presents the prizes to the winners of the Colm Toibin Short Story Award, the Anthony Cronin Poetry Award and the Window Display Award.

A lot of hard work and dedication has produced yet another packed weekend for the fourth Wexford Literary Festival and all involved are to be commended for their commitment and trojan efforts celebrating all things literary at Enniscorthy.