Literati gather for Writers’ Week

LEADING figures in the literary world, such as Roddy Doyle, Colm Tóibín, Fergal Keane and Michael Longley, will be among the personalities attending Listowel Writers’ Week, which opens tomorrow night.

Five writers have been shortlisted from an entry of more than 50 for the top prize, the €10,000 Kerry Group Irish Fiction award, previous winners of which include John McGahern and William Trevor.

Contenders this year are: Colm Tóibín, The Master; Neil Jordan, Shade; David Park, Swallowing The Sun; Gerard Donovan, Dr Salt, and Ronan Bennett, Havoc In Its Third Year.

Billy Keane, son of the late John B Keane, will be launching his first novel, The Last of the Heroes, on Thursday. Mr Keane, who has been writing humorous pieces for several years, runs the family pub in Listowel.

Running for 35 years, Listowel Writers’ Week continues to attract book lovers from home and abroad with a varied programme that includes readings, lectures, theatre, films and art exhibitions.

Among the speakers will be veteran foreign correspondent Robert Fisk, who has specialised on the Middle East for the past 25 years and currently works for the British Independent.

BBC correspondent Fergal Keane will launch his latest memoir, All Of These People, at the festival.

Overseas literary figures in attendance will include Malawian poet Jack Mapanje and Yevgeny Yevtushenko, one of the best known Russian poets of the post-Stalin generation.

An innovative children’s programme has also been organised, with special readings by Roddy Doyle, Vincent McDonnell and Noelle Lambert. One of the highlights of this programme will be a medieval family day, on Sunday next, featuring a colourful street parade with many people in period costume.

Irish Examiner arts editor Ian Kilroy will report from the festival on Thursday and Friday.