Éigse Michael Hartnett Literary and Arts Festival takes centre-stage in Newcastle West from this Thursday through to Sunday.
It commemorates the late local poet whose stellar career was shaped by the West Limerick town and its hinterland.
Mayor Gerald Mitchell will open the festival in The Square on Thursday, closely followed by the presentation of the €8,000 Michael Hartnett Poetry Award to Cathal Ó Searcaigh of Donegal in the library.
Éigse Window Sessions will be hosted by Jack O’Rourke at Cleary’s Bar on South Quay.
A highlight on Friday is at Desmond Ability Complex (1pm) where author and columnist Michael Harding will entertain with excerpts from his many best-selling books.
Later in the Longcourt Hotel, Pat McLoughlin will launch his latest fiction publication ‘The Unbreakable Dream.’
Led by Vincent Hanley, a walking tour on Saturday (3.30pm) will combine stories and poems to shine light on the life, times and work of Michael, and will include the unveiling of a commemorative plaque at the Hartnett home in Assumpta Park.
Earlier, Dr. Mary McAul-iffe will deliver the Michael Hartnett Memorial Lecture at Desmond Ability Complex, 11am. She will look at some of the women who took an active part in the Revolutionary Decade 1913-1923, and what happened them after, and why.
In the local hotel, novelist Karl Geary will weave magic with words, reading from his latest book ‘Juno loves Legs’ and talking about his writing life, while Limerick’s own singer/songwriter Emma Langford will beguile with the power and tenderness of her songs.
Amongst the features on Sunday are a market at Desmond Complex, a performance from Callback Theatre at Courtenay National School (3pm) and ‘A Tale of Murder’ by Harry McGee who will read from his recent book.
Desmond Scribblers, which brings together local writers in prose and poetry, will be at Desmond Complex (2pm).
For full details, visit: eigsemichaelhartnett.ie.