‘WAYWITHWORDS’FESTIVAL CONTINUINGATLIBRARIES

AN exciting weekend of literary events took place at Arklow Library as part of the Way with Words programme.

Led by Nell Regan, Wicklow County Council Literature Curator, ‘ Way with Words’ is a Wicklow County Council initiative supported by Creative Ireland, in collaboration with Wicklow Arts Office and Library Services.

Special guest Michael Harding was present to discuss ‘ The Art of the Memoir’ as well as his latest bestseller ‘On Tuesdays I’m a Buddhist’.

Harding also paid a visit to Arklow Men’s Shed where he received a warm welcome from the members.

On Friday, fiction fans delighted in a reading by Arklow author Adele O’Neill who shared an excerpt from her latest work ‘Behind a Closed Door’.

This was followed by appearances by the winner of the 2015 Kerry Group Novel of the Year, Eoin McNamee, and Audrey Magee, the Wicklow novelist whose debut novel was shortlisted for the Bailey’s Women’s Prize for Fiction, will talk books.

Saturday was a day for the children which kicked off with a storytelling session with Wexford native Joe Brennan and an illustration workshop for the under-6s with the award-winning author of the ‘Mad Grandad’ series, Oisín McGann.

Poet Moya Cannon then facilitated an open- mic session which will included a signed poetry recital by the Library’s Irish Sign Language Group.

The teens weren’t forgotten either as award-winning blogger, travel writer, social media manager and U Magazine’s Social Activist 2017, Úna-Minh Kavanagh, gave a workshop entitled ‘Successful Blogging for teens’.

Way with Words continues in Blessington Library in the coming weeks.

Highlights for the area in April and May include the 2016 Irish Times Poetry Now winner and Wicklow-born poet, Catríona O’Reilly, reading on Saturday, April 28 while on Friday, May 11 author and Irish Times columnist, Michael Harding, will recreate his Arklow talk and also visit Blessington Mens Shed.

‘Way with Words’ concludes in Blessington on May 12 with the winner of the 2017 Irish Independent Crime Book of the Year Award, Julie Parsons in conversation with Rose Barrett O’Donoghue.

Diane Stauder, Caroline Buck and Mary O’Neill. Aine McGovern from Arklow Library with Billy Burke, Pat O’Sullivan and Ken Doyle. Barbara Doyle, Louise O’Brien, Patricia Wojnar, Barbara Cassidy and Adele O’Neill. Mary Doyle and Jane Earls. Michael...

County Librarian Brendan Martin, Claire Fulham from Arklow Library, Michael Nicholson, Director of Services at Wicklow County Council and Nell Regan at the launch of the Way With Words Festival at Arklow Library.