Prophet Song, Mike McCormack, Aingeala Flannery... 10 highlights of Cork World Book Fest

Cork World Book Fest returns from Tuesday April 23 to Sunday 28,  with a host of events taking place across the city
Prophet Song, Mike McCormack, Aingeala Flannery... 10 highlights of Cork World Book Fest

L-R: Paul Lynch; Aingeala Flannery; Mike McCormack

Opening Night: A Medley of Irish Writers & Their Rites: Imagine, Shape, Revise 

Saturday, April 20, City Library, Grand Parade, 7pm — Free 

Evelyn Conlon, Mary Morrissy and Elaine Feeney read from their work and discuss their roles as writers and women in Ireland today. Hosted by award-winning author and journalist, Oliva O’Leary, the event marks the start of the festival.

Mike McCormack and Aingeala Flannery in conversation with Sarah Harte 

Wednesday, April 24, City Library, Grand Parade, 8pm — Free 

Journalist, broadcaster and author Aingeala Flannery has picked up awards at the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year and the John McGahern Prize for her 2022 debut, The Amusements. Mike McCormack is the author of two collections of short stories and four novels: Crowe’s Requiem, Notes from a Coma, Solar Bones and This Plague of Souls. The pair come together with author of short stories and Irish Examiner columnist, Sarah Harte.

The Conversation: Poets Jo Burns and Emily Cooper

Thursday, April 25, City Library, Grand Parade, 5pm — Free

Jo Burns and Emily Cooper collaborate for a ‘conversation' held between Marie-Thérèse Walter, Dora Maar and Françoise Gilot — three of Picasso’s lovers and subjects.

Something Terrible Happened Last Night 

Friday, April 26, City Library, Grand Parade, 11.30am — School event 

Acclaimed author Sam Blake ventured into the world of YA fiction and her latest book, Something Terrible Happened Last Night has garnered much attention. YA readers are invited to this session with Blake which will see her discuss mystery, suspense and the development of characters.

Prophet Song 

Friday, April 26, Triskel, 8pm — Tickets €8-10 

Booker Prize winner Paul Lynch joins writer and journalist Alannah Hopkin for a ticketed event. Lynch’s esteemed novel Prophet Song won the Booker Prize in 2023. Hopkin has two novels and a story collection, The Dogs of Inishere. She published a memoir titled A Very Strange Man in 2023.

Book Market on the Grand Parade 

Saturday, April 27, Grand Parade, 10am-4pm — Free 

Produced by Goldiefish Markets, the annual Book Market returns with an array of literary finds from some of the finest book sellers in the city and county, as well as tasty food and craft stalls.

Milly McCarthy and the Sports Day Shambles 

Saturday, April 27, City Library, Grand Parade, 11am — Free 

Children’s author Leona Forde and illustrator Karen Harte explore an adventure with Milly McCarthy, the “chaos queen” from Cork.

Listen to the Birds 

Saturday, April 27, Triskel, 8.30pm — Tickers €8-10 

Palestinian poet Marwan Makhoul’s work is being translated into the Irish language for the first time with readings by the poet translators Eibhlís Carcione, Louis de Paor agus Áine Uí Fhoghlú. His visit to Ireland is hosted by poet and editor Annemarie Ní Churreáin with a key focus on celebrating the poetry of Marwan Makhoul, the shared concerns between the Gaeilge and Arabic languages, the endeavour of translation, and poetry’s capacity to bear witness.

POP at Elizabeth Fort 

Sunday, April 28, Elizabeth Fort, from 1pm — Free

Curated by award-winning poet Molly Twomey, POP kicks off at 1pm with a range of events taking place throughout the day. From Nature Tales’ drop-in sessions by Arran Tower, to a pop-up book fair and a showcase of spoken word performance, there is something for everyone. Readings from Molly Twomey, Lauren O’Donovan, Michelle Delea and more.

Launch of Cork Stories by Lord Mayor Cllr Kieran McCarthy 

Sunday, April 28, St Peter’s, 3pm — Free 

Cork Stories Anthology celebrates all that is Cork with writers such as Kevin Barry, Martina Evans, Danny Denton, Grainne Murphy and many more. The events include readings from the contributors.

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