Writer's Weekend announces 2024 programme of events
The niche Waterford festival returns this October.
The Arts & Library Service of Waterford City and County Council have announced the programme for the Waterford Writers Weekend taking place from October 24 to 27.
There is a broad range of events and workshops to suit writers and readers alike of all ages. This year, the festival will continue the West Waterford programme in Dungarvan, in addition to the usual city offerings.
The festival is introducing their School’s Outreach programme, which takes children’s authors and illustrators into libraries across the county, celebrating writing and literature through creative experiences. Authors appearing include Olivia Hope, Niamh Donnellan and Brian Gallagher.
Also on Thursday there will be a Mór Artists Collective: Spoken Word Seminar, supporting artists living and working in rural East Cork and West Waterford.
In Dungarvan at 7pm, author Sylvia Cullen will present ‘Outlasting’, a quartet of new short stories written and read by Sylvia. Centered around the theme of overcoming, this new body of work will be inspired by the people of Waterford and their stories of prevailing over adversity.
The Writing Life, A Facilitated Gathering, will bring together members of WORD and other professional writers in a facilitated discussion about the writing life at Waterford Gallery of Art from 3-5pm.
Also on Friday, SpeakEasy will host an open mic night with guest writer Danielle McLaughlin at 8pm Upstairs in Phil Grimes, with music plus the usual open mic to showcase the talents of Waterford poets and writers, and those from the region.
At Town Hall Theatre in Dungarvan, Dr. Marie Cassidy will be in conversation with Damien Tiernan.
Saturday will feature various workshops alongside acclaimed authors and poets, including short story writer Danielle McLaughlin, Lismore poet Molly Twomey, Poet in Residence with Poetry Ireland Anne Tannam and wellbeing artist Lucy Hyland. Acclaimed fictional author Claire Keegan will also be in conversation with Mary Conway.
The weekend's closing event will be the journal launch of Waxed Lemon, a dynamic literary journal from Waterford, which publishes poetry, fiction, art and píosaí as Gaeilge freisin. Join editors Joanne McCarthy and Derek Flynn at Waterford Gallery of Art for the launch of their 8th edition with readings, coffee, sweet treats and chat. This event will incorporate the announcement of the winners of the national Waterford Poetry Prize 2024 by writer and adjudicator Colm Keegan.
Additional info and booking is available at waterfordarts.com
