A RARE cultural festival occurs tomorrow. The Munster Literature Centre, Tigh Litriochta, in association with the Triskel Arts Centre, unleashes Eigse na gCuige, a literary festival celebrating creativity in Munster and Connacht.
Over five days poets, playwrights, novelists and fiction-writers, including thriller-writers, will discuss their work and writing for theatre, radio and screen. There will be separate group discussions and a platform for new writing.
The festival will be opened by Michael D. Higgins and closed by the Mexican ambassador to Ireland, Mr Daniel Dulzin.
There will be readings in English and Irish at the Triskel Arts Centre; the Cork Institute of Technology; the Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh; the West Cork Arts Centre in Skibbereen; in city and county schools; and in Cork prison.
Venues at Midleton, Mallow, Clonakilty and Kinsale will also host festival sections. Participants include Patrick Galvin, Robert O'Donoghue, Mary O'Malley, Anne Haverty, Liam O Muirthile, David Marcus, Theo Dorgan, Mike McCormack, Rita Ann Higgins and many others.
As well as the readings and discussions, this is also a social occasion. People can swap ideas in convivial settings.
Founded in 1993, Tigh Litriochta was established to promote the work of Munster writers. As well as the annual eigse, among other activities are a biannual national writing competition and an annual Cork-Swansea cultural exchange.
The centre's chairman is the writer Patrick Galvin and its vice-chairwoman is Patricia Lucey. Ms Mandy Murphy is the centre's press officer.