Kildare Readers Festival 2024 kicks off this week

The 15th Kildare Readers Festival starts this coming week and offers an opportunity for celebration of the written word and interaction between readers and their favourite writers. The events are mostly in the Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge, with some in Maynooth University and one in the new Naas Library and Cultural Centre.

Kicking off on Wednesday 9 October and running until the 16th of the month, this year’s lineup includes regular favourite Ten Books You Should Read with social historian Catherine Corless and Abie Philbin Bowman. Sunday Sessions: Lives within Families returns with Dermot Bolger, who this year is joined by author Claire Kilroy and co-director of the Linenhall Arts Centre, Fiona Neary. 

A talk by one of Ireland's best known historians, Professor Diarmad Ferriter, will explore some of the topics in his latest book The Revelation of Ireland. New voices in Irish literature will be debut authors Niamh Mulvey and Maggie Armstrong. 

Other sessions will feature Sinéad Gleeson, Sara Baume, Mike McCormack, Olivia Fitzsimons, Aingeala Flannery and Jan Carson. A celebration of the Irish language will be An Tolg Liteartha, where broadcaster Tristan Rosenstock will interview the winners of the Oireachtas Publishing Awards 2024. An evening of music, poetry, literature and song as Gaeilge will be an Oíche Airneál sa Leabharlann at Naas Library & Cultural Centre.

All events are free, but booking is essential. Full details including times and locations are available at this link.

Kildare Readers Festival 2024 is held in association with the Irish Writers Centre.

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