West Cork festivals to entertain arts lovers

LOVERS OF the arts are in for a treat in west Cork over the next few days with the Kinsale Arts Festival kicking off this weekend just as the West Cork Literary Festival in Bantry reaches its climax with a weekend of readings from leading writers.

Tonight sees Carlo Gebler, Eoin McNamee and Hugh Fitzgerald Ryan look at the darker side when all three read from their latest works at a special late night crime reading at Áras Beanntraí, as part of the West Cork Literary Festival.

Gebler will read from his novel, The Dead Eight,about the murder of Moll McCarthy in Co Tipperary in 1940, while McNamee will read from his work, Orchid Blue, and Fitzgerald Ryan will read from his novel The Devil to Payabout Ireland's first witch trial.

Among the other writers who will appear at the festival over the next few days are acclaimed children’s author Michael Morpurgo and Irish novelists Paul Murray and John Boyne, while actor David Soul will present a piece on the passion of the poetry of Pablo Neruda.

The Kinsale Arts Festival, which begins on Saturday, will see authors Alannah Hopkins and Kathy Burney read from their true tale of murder on the high seas, A Ship of Seven Murders,while presidential hopeful, Michael D Higgins will give a poetry reading. Other events include French band Nouvelle Vague with support from the West Cork Ukulele Orchestra, while Derry punk band The Undertones will perform at Charles Fort.