The programme has just been announced for the 39th Cúirt International Festival of Literature, and tickets are now on sale! Find out more here...
Cúirt International Festival of Literature has announced details of a compelling programme for 2024, curated by its Director, Manuela Moser. Featuring an array of some of the most exciting Irish and international writers at work today, the 39th Cúirt International Festival of Literature will take place in Galway from Tuesday 23 - Sunday 28 April. Spanning over 50 events, the programme includes poetry, fiction, memoir, non-fiction, masterclasses and workshops, exhibitions, and family events. Booking is now open for all events - just tap HERE.
Programme highlights include two Booker Prize winners, Paul Lynch and John Banville; Galway’s own Rita Ann Higgins, Edel Coffey, Elaine Feeney, Mary Costello alongside Mike McCormack; Paul Murray, Jackie Kay, Sinéad Gleeson, Rafeef Ziadah, Lemn Sissay, Leontia Flynn, and many more.
Festival Director for Cúirt, Manuela Moser, commented; "We’re excited to welcome audiences and authors to Galway this April for what is sure to be an inspiring week in celebration of literature. Cúirt celebrates stories and ideas, and as ever, we’re thrilled to host a wide selection of world-class authors at the pinnacle of their careers alongside exciting new voices."
This year’s edition of Cúirt will amplify established and emerging Irish voices, among them Paul Murray (An Post Book of the Year 2023), Colin Barett, Edel Coffey, Sinéad Gleeson, Annie MacManus and Ferdia Lennon. 2023 Booker Prize winner, Paul Lynch will speak about his outstanding novel Prophet Song and 2005 Booker Prize winner, John Banville will share the Town Hall Theatre stage on Saturday evening with esteemed author Mike McCormack for a vibrant conversation about their most recent novels.
Cúirt will also showcase a number of Galway’s own writers, 2023 Booker Longlisted Elaine Feeney will celebrate the launch her new poetry collection; Nuala O’Connor will launch for her highly anticipated new novel; Colin Walsh will discuss his atmospheric, dark coming-of-age mystery Kala; social historian Jackie Uí Chionna; children’s writer Méabh McDonnell; Mary Costello will discuss her new short story collection Barcelona.
Joining these authors from further afield are Clemens Meyer from Germany, author of While We Were Dreaming in conversation with his translator and Lorna Shaughnessy, Man Booker shortlisted Patrick DeWitt from Canada, and bestselling and award-winning author of Memorial and Lot Bryan Washington from the US.
The poetry line-up includes Irish poets Nick Laird, Victoria Kennefick, Scott McKendry, and Forward Prize winner Leontia Flynn, and American poets Brenda Shaughnessy and Erika Meitner. Lemn Sissay, BAFTA nominated, award winning writer and broadcaster, will be performing from his collection Let the Light Pour In. Palestinian poet Rafeef Ziadah will return to Galway with a performance with live music by Phil Monsour. Finally, two of Galway’s most celebrated poets, Elaine Feeney, and Rita Ann Higgins, will be joined by Jackie Kay and Susannah Dickey for an inspiring poetry reading that will close this year’s edition of the festival.
The programme boasts a selection of special events that include a conversation between Palestinian writers N.S. Nuseibeh and Rafeef Ziadah. A special screening of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie for April’s edition of the Cinema Book Club in partnership with Pálás. Kai’s Jess Murphy, Bryan Washington, Jennie Moran, and Louise Kennedy will participate in a scrumptious conversation about food in fiction. And Nicole Flattery will host a special live edition of The Stinging Fly Podcast with Caoilinn Hughes to discuss her new book, The Alternatives.
There’s a number of events about Ireland - from conversations about the country’s treatment of woman and the legacies of the past with Molly Hennigan and Clair Wills, to growing up in the Troubles with Máiría Cahill and Martin Doyle, to Jackie Uí Chionna’s book about Galway-native Emily Anderson, Queen of Codes, to Leon Diop and Brianna Fitzsimmons of the Black & Irish organisation, and their landmark book Black & Irish: Legends, Trailblazers & Everyday Heroes.
The weekend before the festival features a special day with Ireland’s Children’s Literature Laureate Patricia Forde, when she brings a bus full of children’s authors and illustrators for a one-of-a-kind interactive storytelling event. More family-friendly events include Kid’s Storytime in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, Méabh McDonnell’s interactive event inspired by her debut Into the Witchwood, and a magical bilingual event featuring The Slug and the Snail by Oein DeBhairduin and Natalie Ní Chasaide.
Festival favourites making a welcome return in 2024 include the New Writing Showcase, highlighting the best in new poetry and fiction, with writers selected from the Over the Edge Literary Series and Skylight 47. Joining them will be the winners of the Cúirt New Writing Prize. The Irish Writers Centre Young Writer Delegates programme returns for its 7th year, giving four young writers the opportunity to immerse themselves in the festival, mentored by Alan McMonagle, and delivering a showcase event in The Hardiman Hotel.
Cúirt has partnered with Faber Academy to deliver aspiring writers and literature enthusiasts an exciting programme of workshops led by experienced authors and editors. Writers such as Lucy Caldwell, Thomas Morris, and Daljit Nagra, will provide valuable insights whilst inviting attendees to explore the rich literary traditions of Ireland and the wider world. This series of workshops will cover topics spanning from poetry to non-fiction to cater to a wide range of interests and writers in different stages of their journey.
Cúirt International Festival of Literature would like to acknowledge the support of its principal funders the Arts Council, Galway City Council, Galway County Council and ACNI. The festival takes place in Galway from Tuesday 23 - Sunday 28 April, 2024. Tickets for all events are on sale now on cuirt.ie or through the Town Hall Theatre on 091 569 777.
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