Named after a cataclysmic collision between a hot-air balloon and the Tullamore army barracks in 1785 - an event surely worthy of a work of fiction in itself - the Great Balloon Fire Literary Weekend is once more upon us. This year's guests include Roddy Doyle, Dermot Healy, Rita Ann Higgins and Anne Enright, and there will be readings, workshops and music throughout the town next weekend, starting on Friday.
Following the success of last year's inaugural bash, the festival is now planned as an annual event: "I wasn't really thinking about doing it more than once," says Offaly arts officer, Sharon Mee, who dreamed up the idea initially. "But it was such a success, people were automatically expecting that we'd do it again. In the past we have run very few literary events but we're developing the area."
Friday's opening reading features Roddy Doyle, poet Michael Coady, and novelist Sheila O'Flanagan, and takes place at the High Street House at 8 p.m.. Maire Breatnach will provide the music afterwards. At the same time the following night there is a reading with Dermot Healy (author of the acclaimed memoir, The Bend for Home), poets Rita Ann Higgins and Tony Curtis, and novelist Anne Enright. Afterwards, singer Jack L. will perform. The venue is Pat's Bar. During the day next Saturday there is a selection of workshops, and the diehards can attend all three if they wish: Poetry with Tony Curtis, 11.30 a.m. - 1 p.m.; Fiction with Evelyn Conlon, 2 p.m. - 3.30 p.m.; and Starting to Write with poet Pat Boran, 4 p.m. - 5.30 p.m.
On Sunday there is a brunch at 12.30 p.m. in the Tullamore Court Hotel, followed by panel discussion on Writing for Theatre with playwrights Jimmy Murphy and Patricia Burke Brogan, and director, Caroline Fitzgerald.
For further information, tel: 0506-46830