Donegal hosts a ‘Literature and Landscape’ event

Buncrana Community Library will host an event called Donegal Literature and Landscape on Ireland Reads Day, Saturday, February 24 at 3.00pm. 

Inspired by the Booker Prize win of Donegal author Paul Lynch, a host of the county’s most talented poets, novelists, artists, musicians, and historians will come together to discuss the way the unique and rugged landscape of Donegal has influenced their work.

Writers from William Allingham to Brian Friel have tapped into our richest resource, the hills, glens and coastline of the county to create great works of fiction, poetry and drama.

This event, which is funded by the Creative Ireland Programme, is an opportunity to celebrate Donegal as a place apart. A place that has inspired and produced writers from the Four Masters and their annals to a Booker Prize-winning author.  

Although Paul Lynch cannot attend the event, this will be an opportunity to acknowledge his remarkable achievement of winning the Booker Prize for his novel Prophet Song in the company of other Donegal creatives.

Several panel discussions, led by journalist and author Kathy Donaghy, will examine how being from Donegal has inspired the work of the panellists.  There will be three panels entitled ‘Writing Donegal’, ‘Advancing Donegal’ and ‘Portraying Donegal’. Each panel will last 45 minutes with music and refreshments between each panel discussion.  

The audience will be encouraged to ask questions from the floor to ensure this is a truly interactive experience for both participants and the audience. 

Panellists include Moya Cannon, Breandán Mac Suibhne, Angela Byrne, Laoighseach Ní Choistealbha, Garrett Carr, Kevin Doherty, Ros Harvey, Tim Stampton, Clodagh Warnock, Róisín McGrory, Alan Millar, Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde.

Music will be provided by the wonderful Ceolan School of Music from Moville.

The Donegal Literature and Landscape symposium is free and open to everyone, but booking is essential. To book a place please contact Buncrana Library on 074 9361941.