Play with words: schoolchildren get into the groove for Dublin Book Festival
STEVEN CARROLL
MANY OF the country's leading writers, poets and journalists will gather in Dublin next month for a celebration of contemporary Irish writing and storytelling.
The inaugural Dublin Book Festival takes place at City Hall on Dame Street from Friday, March 7th to Sunday, March 9th from 10am to 6pm. Entry to all events is free and open to the public.
The festival focuses entirely on Irish literature and through interview sessions readers will have an opportunity to interact with some of the nation's best known writers, such as Cathy Kelly, Dermot Bolger and Anthony Cronin.
An interesting programme of debates has also been assembled. Authors, journalists and politicians will gather to discuss politics, history, crime and the state of Irish literature.
Séan Ó Cearnaigh, president of festival organisers the Irish Book Publishers' Association, said the diverse festival line-up should appeal to readers from all demographics.
"The festival is a celebration of all Irish publishing and writing. We have something for everyone, from history, to children's stories, to sports and chick lit," he said.
Developing readership is a theme of the festival and a lively festival programme aimed at nourishing the literary interests of children was also announced.
It features readings by some of Ireland's best known children's authors, such as Marita Conlon-McKenna, Judi Curtin and Eddie Lenihan.
A complete programme of festival events is available online at www.dublinbookfestival.com