Booked for Dún Laoghaire: Week-long festival gets under way

BOOKER WINNING novelist Michael Ondaatje opened the Dún Laoghaire book festival last night, setting the tone for more than a week of talks from dozens of noted Irish and international writers.

The English Patientauthor last night read from his fifth novel, The Cats Table, which was published last month.

Booker shortlisted author Emma Donoghue and Costa-prizewinning author Sebastian Barry are among the many Irish writers to speak at more than 40 events in the 11 days of the Mountains to Sea dlr Book Festival.

British author Melvyn Bragg and postmodern American novelist Robert Coover will lead the field of international speakers.

Coover will discuss advanced experimental electronic writing at the festival’s annual Beckett address on Wednesday.

Also on Wednesday, Sheila O’Flanagan and Sinead Moriarty are among more than a dozen best-selling Irish women authors hosting a joint evening entitled “Crimes and Passion”.

The literary focus of the festival will be the centenary of Brian Nolan (Flann O’Brien/Myles na gCopaleen)’s birth.

Events include a dramatised walk tomorrow leading participants from Dún Laoghaire Baths to Sandycove on part of the route of Flann O’Brien’s 1954 Bloomsday pilgrimage.

Readers will be asked to bring their favourite books to swap and discuss with authors and fellow readers at a free event called the Great Big Book Swap at the Pavilion Theatre from 11am tomorrow.

Young readers and budding writers will also be catered for at the festival.

Popular children’s authors will include horror writer Darren Shan on Sunday and teen writer Cathy Cassidy on Sunday week. A children’s literary lunch featuring more than a dozen children’s authors such as Judi Curtin and Conor Kostick will be held on Saturday week.

A series of adult creative writing workshops are also being held, including classes on songwriting, poetry and memoirs The festival also has non-literary offerings for those interested in food and politics.

On Thursday four food writers discuss the art of eating for an event featuring Catherine Fulvio, Domini Kemp and Josceline Dimbleby.

Former British chancellor Alistair Darling will be in conversation with economist David McWilliams discussing his time at Number 11 Downing Street on Sunday, September 11th while former Irish TimesMoscow correspondent Conor O'Clery will discuss the last days of the Soviet Union on Saturday, September 10th.

The festival runs until September 11th, with tickets ranging from free to €30. Further details are at mountainstosea.ie.