Indulge your literary passion at Write by the Sea
Write By the Sea, set in the beautiful fishing village of Kilmore Quay, County Wexford, returns from 27 to 29 September 2024 with a line-up of Irish and international literary stars.
Critically acclaimed and celebrated writers from North America, Africa, the United Kingdom and Europe will join Irish writers in the festival’s biggest programme yet.
Festival highlights include acclaimed author Tessa Hadley in conversation with award-winning writer and editor Lucy Caldwell, delving into the nuances of the human condition and the writer's craft. Meanwhile, novelist, playwright, and poet Elaine Feeney will engage in a warm and intimate conversation with journalist Aoife Barry.
Howard Keeley of Georgia Southern University will present a talk on the writings of Irish journalist and short story writer Maeve Brennan, and Wexford crime writer Cat Hogan will join Colin Walsh and Colin Barrett to discuss the rich narrative possibilities within literary crime novels.
Several novelists will discuss their work including GauZ’, a 2023 International Booker shortlist nominee, renowned American essayist and novelist Rachel Kushner, and award-winning writers Paul Lynch, Andrew O'Hagan, Sophie Macintosh and Sinéad Gleeson. Rising stars Cathy Sweeney and Niamh Mulvey will discuss their debut novels.
Short story enthusiasts will enjoy a session featuring Lucy Caldwell, Cathy Sweeney, and Maggie Armstrong, chaired by Eileen Morrissey, as they explore the resurgence and unique qualities of short stories.
And poetry lovers will relish the opportunity to hear poets Breda Wall Ryan, Michael Dooley, and Kerri ní Dochartaigh read from their work and discuss the natural world's influence on their writing.
In a nod to the festival setting, the folklore of Wexford will be explored by Michael Fortune, an artist and folklorist, along with storyteller Fidelis Power. Historian Celestine Murphy will present a talk on the histories of Wexford families who emigrated to Savannah in the late 1800s.
Blending song, story, and personal history, Ben Mac Caoilte and musician Erin Lalor will present "Lifting the Gate". The festival will also feature a discussion with playwright Billy Roche, broadcaster Sylvia Cullen, and writer Garrett Keogh, moderated by Michael Way, focusing on the challenges and delights of writing for different mediums.
A series of workshops and masterclasses, now sold out, will give some lucky attendees the chance to take part in a Q&A session with award-winning author John Banville, a workshop on sound and rhythm in poetry with Patrick Cotter, a short story writing workshop with Lucy Caldwell, a creative life workshop with Jami Attenberg, a life writing workshop with Liz Jensen, or an exploration of archetypes and images in storytelling with Sarah Maria Griffin.
The winners of the 2024 Writing Competition will be announced at the opening ceremony.
In between the literary events, festival goers can enjoy a stroll around the picturesque fishing village to view the whitewashed thatched cottages and visit the marina with its colourful fishing boats and leisure craft.