The Leaves Festival 2024 brings the best of Irish writing and music to County Laois next month, from Wednesday, November 6, to Saturday, November 9.
An evening of music and poetry with Paul Muldoon, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Brendan Begley
St Peter’s Church of Ireland, Portlaoise
Paul Muldoon is a Pulitzer- and TS Eliot-prize- winning poet; Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh is a master fiddle player; and Brendan Begley is a legendary accordionist.
Highly regarded as one of the most significant poets of our time, Muldoon makes his first appearance on a Laois stage.
Muldoon’s evocative verses will intertwine with the rich and traditional sounds of Ó’Raghallaigh’s fiddle and Begley’s accordion.
This unique collaboration of three extraordinary talents promises to transport you through an intricate tapestry of words and music.
Reading and Song with novelist Niall Williams and Stockton’s Wing Mike Hanrahan
Preston House, Abbeyleix
Readings from Niall Williams’ new novel, ‘The Time of the Child,’ will be interspersed with the soulful vocals and intricate guitar playing of Mike Hanrahan.
The Time of the Child is set in the fictional town of Faha, County Clare. It’s approaching the Christmas of 1962 and a baby is found in the town after the annual cattle fair.
It’s left in the care of GP Dr Robert Troy who lives with his daughter Ronnie. As the winter passes, father and daughter’s lives, the understanding of their family, and their role in their community are changed forever.
Conversation and insight with two inspirational women Barbara Scully and Eleanor Mills
Dunamaise Arts Centre
Former Sunday Times editor Eleanor Mills and renowned Irish broadcaster Barbara Scully come
together for a unique event that promises to be highly enlightening and entertaining.
With a career spanning over two decades at the Sunday Times, Ms Mills has interviewed some of the world’s most influential figures and now leads the empowering community, NOON, which supports women in midlife.
Broadcaster and columnist Barbara Scully, celebrated for her candid and humorous take on navigating the complexities of modern womanhood, will join Eleanor in conversation as they discuss how women can and should embrace midlife as a time of transformation and opportunity.
Rick O’Shea in conversation with novelists Caoilinn Hughes and Cathy Sweeney
Portlaoise Library
This highly engaging event will feature a conversation hosted by broadcaster and founder of Ireland’s largest book club, Rick O’Shea.
O’Shea will be joined by two compelling, fresh voices in Irish Literature, Caoilinn Hughes and Cathy Sweeney.
The evening’s conversation will focus on the recent cultural shift that has seen women writers dominate the world of contemporary fiction.
Leaves Festival 2024 will also host:
Award winning novelist Donal Ryan Donal in conversation with Claire O’Brien, presenter of Encore, Midland 103’s Arts and Culture show.
Workshops with children’s authors Eve McDonnell and Sinead O’Hart.
A spoken word poetry event with spoken word poet with Dagogo Hart and special guests.
A film screening of Widow Clicquot which tells the true story of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, who marries into the Clicquot winemaking family.
The Launch of ‘Words Unlaoised’ – the Laois Writers Group Anthology.
A masterclass with renowned poet and novelist Mary O’Donnell.
Youth by Kevin Curran (Leaves Writer in Residence) is the Leaves Festival One County One Book for Laois. Kevin will be reading in various locations around the county including Portlaoise Prison, Mountmellick Library and Dunamaise Arts Centre
The Festival is a Laois Arts Office and Laois Library Services initiative. For tickets or to check out the full programme of events see LeavesFestival.ie or Dunamaise.ie. Tickets can also be booked directly from Dunamaise Box Office, Tel: 057 8663355.
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