The mighty sound of Kíla in concert is one of the headline acts in the programme for this year’s Éigse Michael Hartnett, the literary and arts festival which will run from October 3 to 6 in Newcastle West.
Kíla will take to the stage at the Longcourt House Hotel on Saturday, October 5 in what promises to be a lively night of music.  But there will also be a follow-on concert on Sunday afternoon, tailored for children.
These are just two events in the festival’s wide-ranging programme which includes readings, launches, debate, a poetry trail, film and a special Hartnett Tour, to mark the 25th anniversary of the poet, Michael Hartnett’s death in October 1999.
This year, too, in a special addition to the programme, Jon Kenny, actor, comedian and writer will present his own, very unique and humourous take on the world. Other well-known names on the programme include Rita Ann Higgins, Marie Cassidy and Mick Clifford.
“Éigse has something for everyone,” Cllr Liam Galvin, Cathaoirleach of Newcastle West Municipal District said when he launched the programme at a reception in the town this week.
The festival will open in exuberant style on Thursday, October 3, with a Parade of Lights, involving dozens of young people and drummers, which will make its way from the Square at 7.30pm to the library where the official opening will take place at 8pm.
There the guests will include Mayor John Moran, poet Paddy Bushe and musical trio Jaskane as well as the winner of this year’s Michael Hartnett Poetry Award, Tara Bergin.
The programme continues on Friday with a reading over coffee by Tara Bergin along with Greek poet Natasha Remoundou and a lunchtime reading by one of Ireland’s best-loved poets Rita Ann Higgins. The evening events include readings by award-winning poets Vona Groarke and Mark Roper, a launch by Limerick poet Michael Dooley and a screening of the film, That They May Face The Rising Sun, an Irish-made film based on John McGahern’s book of the same name.
On Saturday morning, Mick Clifford, Special Correspondent for the Irish Examiner, podcaster, commentator and author, is the speaker for this year’s Michael Hartnett Memorial Lecture, with the intriguing title of “Will You Please Be Quiet Please.”
Jon Kenny steps into the limelight at 1.30pm on Saturday afternoon to charm his audience with yarns, characters and the odd poem The Hartnett Tour, a walking tour of the places that helped shape Michael, will run on Saturday afternoon and will include an unveiling of a commemorative plaque in Assumpta Park at 5pm.
Saturday evening will see novelist, Claire Coughlan, (nominated New Voices: 20 Best New Irish Writers by An Pos Irish Book Awards) talk about her debut crime thriller Where They Lie followed at 8.30pm by the Kíla concert.
Sunday will see former State Pathologist Marie Cassidy in conversation with Mary Dundon, about her life and debut novel, along with a launch by West Limerick writer Mícheál MacDomhnaill as well as the Kíla concert for children.
On Friday and Saturday afternoon, there will be a Newcastle West Olden Times exhibition, curated by John Upton in the Red Door Gallery as well as a screening of The Trades of Maiden Street, filmed by Michael Mulcahy and narrated by Seamus Hennessy.
Many of the events of Éigse are free or pitched at a very reasonable cost.
For full details, pick up a brochure at a local library or shop or go online at www.eigsemichaelhartnett.ie where you can also book events.
For any further information or to arrange interviews with guests, please contact Norma Prendiville at 086-2265695 or norma.prendiville@gmail.com