LISTOWEL Writers Week, which kicked off last night, features a "Meet The Author Session with Irvine Welsh this morning at 11.15 a.m., a reading by a selection of this year's prizewinners at 1.15 pm., a reading by Paul Durcan at 5.30 pm. Other highlights include a reading by Hugo Hamilton at 4.15 pm. tomorrow, a civic reception for John B. Keane and Bryan MacMahon at the Listowel Arms Hotel tomorrow at 8 pm. and a showing of Trainspotting at 8.15 pm. in the Classic Cinema.

Saturday kicks off at 11 a.m. with a fascinating discussion under the title "The Cu It Of Heritage is our future being sacrificed to our past?", with a panel including Irish Times Environment Correspondent Frank McDonald, and Dr Pat Donlon, former director of the National Library. There is a reading by Ciaran Carson at 4 p.m. on the same day. On Sunday there is a Meet The Author Session with Irish Times columnist Nuala O'Faolain at 2.30 p.m. All events are at St John's Arts Centre, unless otherwise stated.