Kildare Readers Festival 2014 programme

Just a reminder that the Readers Festival 2014 organised by the Kildare Library & Arts Service reads off today in the Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge. It runs through the weekend.

Use the event's Facebook page to keep up with activities and see what you might like to attend.

The programme of guests includes Francis Brennan from RTE’s television series At Your Service with Susan Boyle, performer, playwright, arts facilitator and arts project manager, who will discuss ‘the little things’.

Journalist Róisín Ingle and author/musician Peter Murphy share a thoroughly entertaining look at '10 Books You Should Read'. Then meet the Queens of Crime, Niamh O’Connor, author and journalist from the Sunday World and best selling and award-winning author Louise Phillips.

An insight into how Mental Health Issues are represented through film and literature will be explored with Professor Jim Lucey, author Carol Coffey, Mary McEvoy and Cathal Black.

World War I and its influences on Ireland, Kildare and Literature will be discussed by Padraig Yeates, former Industry and Employment Correspondent of The Irish Times; James Durney, award winning author, local and military historian and historical consultant; and Mary P Corcoran, Professor of Sociology at the National University of Ireland. Philip Scott, renowned local tenor, will bring songs from the era.

There will be an entertaining discussion on Sister Carvaggio, a ‘whodunnit’ set in an abbey in Co Kildare with Neil Donnelly, Mary O’Donnell and Peter Sheridan.

Last but not least, Dermot Bolger will host an intimate and relaxed Sunday morning interview with one of the foremost Irish writers of her generation, Jennifer Johnston.

Fringe Events include an evening celebrating the work of poet, essayist and critic Dennis O’Driscoll in Alice’s Café, Naas. Tracy Pigott will facilitate a discussion on 'All About Eva', the drama of making a movie. There will be a Blogging workshop with Jennie McGinn and there will also be the KRF Notebook Launch.

This year, Kildare County Council introduced free library membership for all in Kildare Libraries, so if you are not already a member, now is the perfect time to check out one of the 16 libraries throughout the county to see what is on offer. A full list of libraries and events programme are available on kildare.ie/library. All of the fantastic Readers Festival events are also free.