Longford literary followers to descend on Edgeworthstown for upcoming Maria Edgeworth Festival

Edgeworthstown will once again be the venue for the Maria Edgeworth Festival of Literature & Arts which will run from May 4-7.

In keeping with previous stagings, there will be something for everyone with readings, music, comedy and workshops.

The festival will open when members of the community will visit the Manor Nursing Home where they will entertain the residents with stories and songs with the Ross Sisters.

In the afternoon Angela Tuite will hold an art workshop while the highlight of the day will be the screening of ‘Requiem for the Big House’ in a documentary by Dr Charles Lambert and Ronan Daly who will lift the lid on the demise of the Big Houses of Longford.

This will be screened in the Green Complex and will be followed by a talk by Mark Davies on the 1812 attempt to cross the Irish Sea with an account recorded by Maria Edgeworth.

The festival’s second day includes a conference in St Mary’s Campus which examines the system of Early Education put forward by Maria Edgeworth in the 19th Century.

Speakers from around the world gather in Edgeworthstown to take part and offer their own insights while on Friday evening local comedian Jimmy Jests hosts an evening of entertainment in the Sportsman’s Inn starting at 9.00pm.

On Saturday morning a series of children’s workshops take place in the new Library with Aoife Munn while alongside this there will be an Artisan Market on the Library Plaza.

In the afternoon Aoife Munn goes on to host a biodiversity workshop in the walled garden at the Manor.

Poet Noel Monahan is also lined up to provide a Poetry Workshop in the Green.

The highlight of the festival is undoubtedly the announcement of the winners of the Maria Edgeworth Poetry and Short Story competitions.

Adjudicators Noel Monahan and David Butler give their comments on the winners and will read from their own works.

The evening is also expected to feature an interview with Emilie Pine, who gives an insight into her life in conversation with local RTE journalist Sinead Hussey while classical pop music is set to be provided by Simply Strings Quartet.

The festival concludes on Sunday afternoon with an 18th Century Mostrim Tea Party on the Green.

This event includes a special performance from the Mostrim Players and The Dead Poets/Authors Society. Music from the Innyside Singers and poetry readings from the Longford Writers Group are also pencilled in for an occasion that is not to be missed.

Details on the complete Festival Programme can be found on the Festival website www.mariaedgeworth center.com

The festival is supported by Creative Longford, Longford Arts Services, Longford Tourism, Failte Ireland and Longford County Council.