Latest news with #InternationalLiteratureFestivalDublin
Irish Independent
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Madeleine Keane on books: Stars descend for festival season and Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year announced
We're in full festival swing. After 10 (mostly) sun-drenched days, a superb International Literature Festival Dublin concluded last weekend. A personal highlight was interviewing Michael Crummey. The charming Canadian won the Dublin Literary Award (worth €100,000) for his dark, compelling masterpiece The Adversary. Kudos too to Dublin City Libraries who sponsor this life-changing prize. Register for free to read this story Register and create a profile to get access to our free stories. You'll also unlock more free stories each week.
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Double win for Wicklow author at Children's Books Ireland Awards win
The verse novel by Eilish Fisher, which is set in pre-historic Ireland, tells the story of thirteen-year-old Fia and her beloved snow deer Solas, was also awarded the Éilís Dillon Prize celebrating Fisher's outstanding debut children's book. Speaking at the awards, Eilish said: 'I'm deeply honoured to receive these awards. As a debut author, it's incredibly moving to see Fia and the Last Snow Deer resonate with both judges and readers around the country. "Knowing that so many young readers connected with Fia's story means more to me than I can say. I'm grateful beyond words—and so proud to be part of Ireland's vibrant children's literature community.' Eilish received her award from host Rick O'Shea at a ceremony held in Merrion Square, in partnership with International Literature Festival Dublin. Fia and the Last Snow Deer is published by Puffin Books and is illustrated by Dermot Flynn. Eilish grew up in a 200-year-old haunted farmhouse in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and moved to Ireland in 1998. She began writing increasingly diverse poetry as a young teenager and in 1996, won a place at the esteemed Breadloaf Young Writer's Conference in Middlebury Vermont. When she was 19 Eilish came to Maynooth University to immerse myself in ancient Irish myth and history. She was awarded a Bachelor's Degree in English, History and Medieval Irish Studies, a Master's degree in Early Medieval Irish History and Literature and a Doctorate in Medieval English Literature from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. She was also a member of The Avoca Writers' Group and currently resides in Glenmalure.
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘It's the best thing that's ever happened to me as a writer', says winner of Dublin Literary Award
He travelled from St John's, Newfoundland, to accept the €100,000 prize for his novel, The Adversary, from the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emma Blain, and Dublin City Council Chief Executive, Richard Shakespeare. Speaking after the announcement at the International Literature Festival Dublin in Merrion Square, Mr Crummey said the moment felt 'surreal'. 'I was shortlisted once before, and I could make peace with that. That seemed like a really great thing,' he said. 'But winning it … it almost feels like I'm robbing somebody. Nothing else has ever come close to this.' Now in its 30th year, the Dublin Literary Award is nominated by libraries worldwide. Sponsored by Dublin City Council, it is the world's richest prize for a single novel written or translated into English. The winner was chosen from a longlist featuring 71 titles, nominated by 83 libraries from 34 countries. Mr Crummey, who grew up in an isolated mining town in Newfoundland, said libraries had shaped his path as a writer. 'I can't overstate how important the public libraries were to me,' he said. 'From the time I was just old enough to read, I spent Saturday mornings at the library. That had a huge influence on my love of books. I don't think I'd be here today without public libraries.' Mr Crummey also spoke of his connection to Ireland. 'I didn't realise until I did a reading at Belfast Public Library that my own name is Irish – Crummey with a 'y'. The librarian showed me six or seven Crummeys in the phone book.' He added that his wife's family also had strong ties to Dublin. 'Her father did his medical degree here, and her oldest siblings were born here. So, I do love this city. It does feel like part of me,' he said. The Adversary centres on a power struggle between two ruthless siblings in the fictional 19th-century town of Mockbeggar, and explores the corrosive impact of greed, resentment and unchecked power. 'I think I was ultimately writing about the state of the world,' Mr Crummey said. 'We have two people who are the worst of who we are as human beings, in positions of power, fighting for whatever the other has. And we're all pulled into their orbit, like black holes.' Mr Crummey will appear at the International Literature Festival Dublin at 6pm on Friday, May 23, for an in-depth conversation about the novel. 'Most people here don't know me or the book,' he said. 'So it's just a chance to spread the word, talk about the novel, and let people throw things at me if they think someone else should've won!' Copies of The Adversary are available to borrow from public libraries across Ireland, and as an eBook on BorrowBox. 'It's a dark and unsettling story, but it is told with such care and emotional precision,' Dublin Lord Mayor, Emma Blain, said. 'The novel immerses the reader in a distant time and place while grappling with timeless human struggles. I'm proud to see the Dublin Literary Award honour such a powerful work in its 30th year.'
RTÉ News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Things to do in Dublin this weekend (May 23-25)
From summer markets and walking tours to free film screenings and community street feasts, there is plenty to be doing in Dublin this weekend. South Dublin Summer Markets When: Saturday, 24 May Where: Tymon Park North, Tallaght, Dublin How much: Free entry The Tymon Park North Summer Markets are a weekly outdoor event, bringing together the best of local food, craft stalls, and family entertainment in one of Dublin's most scenic parks. Held from 11am-3pm, these markets are the perfect way to enjoy the weekend with kids, friends, or a solo adventure in the sunshine. On Saturday, the markets will be celebrating Africa Day. Expect artisan stalls, street food trucks, and plenty of live entertainment. When: Saturday, 24 May at 11am Where: Meeting Point: Hippocampus Merrion Square Park How much: €16 As part of International Literature Festival Dublin, James Murray is hosting a walking tour that explores Dublin's intimate relationship with the written word. People, places and texts of the city's queer past are explored on this unique new tour, which runs on Sat 24 May. Suitable for those aged 18 and over. Buy your ticket at ILFDublin. Dublin Dance Festival: Mosh by Rachel Ní Bhraonáin When: Friday, 23 May & Saturday, 24 May Where: Project Arts Centre, Space How much: €22 Get ready to dive into the heart-pounding chaos of the mosh pit, where dance and release collide. Taking place as part of the Dublin Dance Festival, this 60 minute performance is suitable for those aged 12+ and features loud music, smoke machines, strobe lighting and strong language, as well as references to adult topics and violence. Buy your ticket at Dublin Dance Festival. Hike and Film Screening When: Saturday, 24 May Where: Patagonia Dublin, 24 - 26 Exchequer Street How much: Reserve for free Patagonia has released Disaster Style, a new short film series following climber Zoe Hart as she navigates backcountry skiing, alpine living, and the messy, joyful reality of raising two young boys—Mika and Mathias—with her husband Max, in the mountains. The film will have screenings across Europe with a Dublin date set for Saturday, 24 May. Suitable for those ages 8 and up, the morning hike will take place in Glendalough, Co Wicklow, from 10am - 2pm. Then, the screening will open in Patagonia Dublin at 5:30pm, with free kid-friendly food and refreshments ahead of the film rolling around 6pm. Expect little people to be heading home to bed around 7:30pm. Head to Parenting: Disaster Style for more info and to reserve your spot. What A Difference A Day Made When: Saturday, 24 May, 11am - 7pm Where: Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, D07 XKV4 How much: Free / Donations accepted Celebrate the difference the YES vote made with a free community festival in Collins Barracks. This is a celebration of love, progress, and community — and everyone is welcome. There will be live music and performances from Gloria, Dublin Gay Men's Chorus, Choral Confusion and The Belle Harmonics along with some very special guests. Reserve your spot on Eventbrite. Luxury Exchange Pop Up When: Thursday, 22 May - Sunday, 25 May Where: Studio 10 on Dublin's Wicklow Street How much: Free to enter Luxury Exchange, an Irish start-up that curates collections of pre-loved designer handbags, clothing, and accessories, all at incredible value, is popping up in Dublin city centre from Thursday, 22 May - Sunday, 25 May. Each day upon opening the first visitors will receive a raffle ticket with one winner chosen daily to receive a €500 voucher for use in the pop-up. Cookbook Club X TANGO When: Sunday, 25 May from 5:30pm to 8:30pm Where: Camerino Bakery, Blackrock How much: €99-€120 A celebration of heritage, comfort food and bold Argentine flavour, every course of the Cookbook Club's TANGO event tells a story. The intimate event will bring the pages of this colourful cookbook to life through a specially curated menu. Guests will enjoy a multi-course supper at Camerino Bakery, Blackrock, along with a signed copy of TANGO to take home. Authors, Facundo and Pamela, will be there on the night, hosting a Q&A between courses. Tickets available on Eventbrite. Street Feast 2025 When: 24 & 25 May Where: Your area! How much: Whatever you put into food & drinks Host a party with your neighbours on 24 & 25 of May as part of Streat Feast 2025. Sponsored by Tesco Ireland, this neighbourhood network initiative encourages people to bring people together in front gardens, on streets and greens, in car parks, laneways, local parks and community centres. You must register your street feast at Change X and be sure to check out their website to get your free bunting, invites, posters and an informational folder. To kick the weekend off a little early, check out the improvised musical that is set to be Ireland's biggest ever homegrown fully-improvised show! After a year of sold out performances, including Scene+Heard and Dublin Fringe, Bum Notes are taking to the stage of Dublin's Royal Irish Academy of Music's Whyte Recital Hall. Get your tickets here.
Irish Examiner
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Five For Your Radar: Cork Roots Fest, Wolf Alice, Schull films
Festival: Cork Roots Festival Coughlan's, Friday-Monday, May 16-19 A whole host of great acts, new, up-and-coming, and long established, take to the stage at Coughlan's this weekend for Cork Roots Festival. John Blek and Scullion are already sold out, but the likes of Dublin-based duo Lemoncello, regular visitor to these shores James Yorkston, and local legend Ricky Lynch also appear over the weekend. Make sure to get to the venue early to get a good seat. Lemoncello play Coughlan's as part of Cork Roots Festival 2025. Books: International Literature Festival Dublin Merrion Square Park, Dublin, Friday, May 16 to Sunday, May 25 There are any number of highlights at ILF Dublin 2025. Stuart Murdoch (Friday) of Belle and Sebastian is one of the big names. He'll be playing some of the band's classic hits and talking fiction (his debut novel Nobody's Empire came out last year) and songwriting. Shon Faye (Sunday) discusses Love in Exile, a powerful and deeply moving exploration of love, exclusion, and identity. On Monday environmental storyteller Colin Butfield, long-time collaborator of David Attenborough, shares the story behind Ocean: How to Save Earth's Last Wilderness. Art: Sanctum The Vaults at Lavit Gallery, Cork, until May 31 Artist Orla O'Byrne. Cork artist Orla O'Byrne is currently overseeing a conservation project of a large collection of historical plaster models at St Fin Barre's Cathedral in her native city. This exhibition involves photographic work, drawing and installation that were created in response to the project. Concerts: Wolf Alice Cyprus Avenue, Tuesday, May 20 English rock band Wolf Alice haven't played shows since 2022 but after the release of new single Bloom Baby Bloom on Thursday, they have three Irish shows lined up early next week. They play Kilkenny's Set Theatre on May 19, Cyprus Avenue on May 20, and Limerick's Dolans Warehouse on May 21 — tickets were only available via the band's mailing list. They play Glastonbury next month. Cinema: Fastnet Film Festival Schull, Co Cork, Wednesday-Sunday, May 21-25 Domhnall Gleeson, Barry Keoghan, Nicola Coughlan, and Bill Pullman will all be in conversation across the week at the Fastnet Film Festival. There's a special panel on RTÉ crime show Kin with Aidan Gillen, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Clare Dunne, and co-creator Peter McKenna, while In the Opinion of the Censor, directed by Andrew Gallimore, gets its world premiere. That's alongside masterclasses, short film screenings and lots more.
