Festival offers a literary feast in Bray this weekend
AFTER a wonderful launch night last Friday, Bray Literary Festival proper starts this weekend.
The launch in the Town Hall coincided with Culture Night and was a fine night of readings.
This Friday, Saturday and Sunday will see readings, discussions, music, writing workshops and professional development talks for writers, and a mix of Ireland’s rising and established voices in poetry, fiction, memoir and music.
A mammoth programme of events includes ‘What’s Hot in Irish Writing’, in Mermaid Arts Centre on Friday at 8 p.m. with Anne Enright, Paul Lynch and Danielle McLaughlin and leading publishers Alan Hayes and Declan Meade for readings, insights and discussion.
Each day and night of the festival, there will be events taking place in the Town Hall and the Harbour Bar, as well as workshops in St Cronan’s School.
Sean O’Reilly and Jan Carson reflect on the breadth of possibilities and potential challenges the writer faces when approaching new work or continuing a work in progress.
Readers elsewhere include Catherine Dunne and Neil Hegarty, and ‘Northern Voices’ Maureen Boyle, Ruth Carr, Medbh McGuckin and Maria McManus.
Two literary salons will see a range of authors speak, including Phyl Herbert, Kate Ennals, Conor Bowman, and Eve McCann.
Crime buffs may enjoy ‘Crime Watch’ at the town hall on Sunday afternoon.
Events cost €5 with the exception of the Culture Night and James Joyce events which are free, or the Mermaid Arts Centre event, which is €10. Day passes can be bought at events for €15 and weekend passes for €25. These do not include workshops or the opening event in the Mermaid.
Go to brayliteraryfestival.com for a full programme.