His Poetic Life: Dennis O'Driscoll's Personal Anthology

The renowned poet, critic, essayist and reviewer Dennis O’Driscoll lived in Naas for many years, until his untimely death in 2012. Naturally bookish, he won his first poetry competition as a child. He began his working life in Dublin Castle, in the Estate Duty Office, at the age of sixteen. There he contributed to policy papers, acting as Irish delegate at EU working group meetings and arranging Customs training for officers from Eastern Europe, Russia, and the former Soviet Republics. This work was both salutary and sobering, grounding him in everyday experiences and broadening the subject matter and language available to him. He seemed to need the contrast between his working life and artistic pursuits. Ideas for poems would occur at work but his desk at home is where they came to life.

Julie O’Callaghan has been very supportive of Kildare Readers’ Festival's efforts to keep the legacy of Denis O’Driscoll in the public eye and has very kindly accepted our invitation to both speak about Dennis and also present the prestigious Dennis O’Driscoll Literary Bursary Awards to this years awardees for an established writer (John MacKenna) and an emerging writer (Colm McDermott.) Both writers will discuss what this award will mean to their practice and read from their work.

This year’s awards were adjudicated by Dr Francesca Bratton, Kildare Writer in Residence 2023-2024, an initiative supported by the Department of English, Maynooth University and Kildare County Council Library and Arts Services.

This venue is wheelchair accessible.

• WhenCathain: Saturday 28.09.2024 | 11am
• WhereÁit: The Chamber | Naas Library and Cultural Centre Directions
• How to AttendConas Freastal ar: Book Online

An Tolg Liteartha

Mórimeacht liteartha na Gaeilge ag a gcuirfidh an sárchraoltóir Tristan Rosenstock ó RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltacht agallamh ar bhuaiteoirí Ghradaim Foilsitheoireachta an Oireachtais 2024 – Gradam Uí Shuilleabháin (Leabhar na Bliana don Léitheoir Fásta), Gradam Réics Carló (Leabhar na Bliana don Léitheoir Óg) agus Gradam de Bhaldraithe (Leabhar na Bliana do Shaothar Aistrithe go Gaeilge ó theanga eile).

Is mór an ónóir na gradaim seo a ghnóthú agus labhróidh na buaiteoirí le Tristan maidir leis an aistear cruthaitheach a thug go dtí an buaicphointe seo iad ag a bhfuil ardmholadh agus ardmheas á mbaint amach acu. Labhróidh criticeoirí liteartha ó Ollscoil Mhá Nuad le Tristan chomh maith ar na leabhair a bhuaigh agus ar litríocht chomhaimseartha na Gaeilge.

Arna eagrú ag Leabharlanna Chill Dara i gcomhar le hOllscoil Mhá Nuad, leis an Oireachtas agus le RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.

This venue is wheelchair accessible.

• WhenCathain: Dé Céadaoin 09.10.2024 | 7pm
• WhereÁit: Riverbank Arts Centre  Directions
• How to AttendConas Freastal ar: Book Online

Poetry of Rupture and of Rapture

I want(ed) to explore the places where nature, the body, and something beyond the body, meld together, speak to each other or of each other. Where does matter come from? Where does the physical world start, and where does something beyond the physical, observable world begin? – SH

In this very special evening of poetry and conversation, award-winning poets, Seán Hewitt and Victoria Kennefick, will read their work in discussion with host, Catherine Gander. Both poets are engaged in work that gives voice to the transitional, liminal moments in our lives, our bodies. To consider the possibility that identity - fluid and without border, ever evolving - finds its freedom, its expression within the space of the poem - a freedom that is not available elsewhere. Please join us as we consider journeys of concealment and revelation, the poetry of rupture and of rapture.

There will be ISL interpretation at this event.

This venue is wheelchair accessible.

• WhenCathain: Thursday 10.10.2024 | 7pm
• WhereÁit: Maynooth Community Library Directions
• How to AttendConas Freastal ar: Book Online

Words and Wonder: An Evening with Mike McCormack

Join us for an evening with award-winning author Mike McCormack as he sits down with writer and broadcaster Aingeala Flannery to discuss his latest novel and his broader body of work. McCormack, known for his distinctive narrative style and innovative approach to storytelling, has captivated readers with his unique exploration of life, time, and the human condition. His most recent novel continues to push the boundaries of literary form, blending lyrical prose with profound insights into the everyday lives of his characters.

McCormack and Flannery will discuss the inspirations behind his work, the crafting of his distinctive narrative voice, and the themes that have shaped his writing career. The evening promises to be a fascinating journey into the mind of one of Ireland’s most celebrated authors. Whether you’re familiar with McCormack’s work or just discovering it, this conversation will provide a rich understanding of his creative process and the ideas that drive his writing.

There will be ISL interpretation at this event.

This venue is wheelchair accessible.

• WhenCathain: Thursday 10.10.2024 | 8pm
• WhereÁit: Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge Directions
• How to AttendConas Freastal ar: Book Online

Quickly, While They Still Have Horses: Exploring Short Stories with Jan Carson

Acclaimed author Jan Carson will discuss her work with writer Olivia Fitzsimons. Carson's new novel offers readers a powerful exploration of human connections in a fractured world. Known for her vivid characters and deeply affecting narratives, Carson weaves a story that captures the complexity of family dynamics, community, and the ties that bind us together in unexpected ways.

In conversation with Fitzsimons, Carson will chat inspiration, approaches to the storytelling, and the themes that permeate her latest novel. This event is a unique opportunity to hear from one of Northern Ireland's most distinctive voices in contemporary literature. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to her work, this discussion will provide fresh insights into the creative process and the stories that resonate in today's world. Come prepared for an evening of literary reflection and discovery as these two gifted writers engage in a thoughtful and compelling exchange.

There will be ISL interpretation at this event.

This venue is wheelchair accessible.

• WhenCathain: Friday, 11.10.2024 | 8pm
• WhereÁit: Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge Directions
• How to AttendConas Freastal ar: Book Online

Ten Books You Should Read

Join us for the ever popular Ten Books where two guests each share their five favourite books for us to discover. This year our two guests have their love of history as the common denominator. Abie Philbin Bowman, historian, documentary maker and comedian will talk with Catherine Corless, social historian, whose book Belonging shook the people of Ireland to appreciate what one woman can do when she sets out to right an injustice. We look forward to a fascinating conversation on the books they bring to the table.

There will be ISL interpretation at this event.

This venue is wheelchair accessible.

• WhenCathain: Saturday 12.10.2024 | 10am
• WhereÁit: Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge Directions
• How to AttendConas Freastal ar: Book Online

The Revelation of Ireland with Diarmaid Ferriter

Join us for a talk by one of Ireland’s best-known historians Professor Diarmaid Ferriter who will speak on some of the topics explored in his latest book The Revelation of Ireland.

The Transformation of Ireland by Diarmaid Ferriter, published in 2004, was the first survey history of twentieth century Ireland in many years. Now, 20 years later, comes the sequel, The Revelation of Ireland, bringing us exciting new research and insights for 1995–2020, a deep dive into a turbulent and exciting period.

Professor Ferriter’s book outlines how Ireland is a strikingly different country now to the one it was in the mid-1990s. Dramatic economic, social and cultural changes, including the Celtic Tiger boom and increasingly secular debate about abortion, the status of women and same-sex marriage underlined the scale of the transformation. The new diversity of the population and literary and musical prowess also revealed a country experiencing rapid alteration. As the Republic enters its second century of independence, and the North continues to grapple with the legacy of the Troubles, Diarmaid Ferriter makes historical sense of post-1990s Ireland, and what lies in the darkest corners of its archives.

There will be ISL interpretation at this event.

This venue is wheelchair accessible.

• WhenCathain: Saturday 12.10.2024 | 12:30pm
• WhereÁit: Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge Directions
• How to AttendConas Freastal ar: Book Online

Reeling in the Queers with Páraic Kerrigan and Anna Nolan

Páraic Kerrigan, author of Reeling in the Queers, sits down with presenter, producer and Chairperson of the National LGBT Federation, Anna Nolan to discuss his groundbreaking work exploring lesser-known stories of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights in Ireland. In this thought-provoking book, Kerrigan explores fourteen key moments reflecting the changing social and cultural landscape of Ireland.

Kerrigan and Nolan will cover these important themes, exploring how media can both challenge and reinforce societal norms. This event is an opportunity to hear from Kerrigan about the process of researching this vital history and to gain a deeper understanding of the power of media in shaping social attitudes. Whether you're interested in media studies, Irish history, or LGBTQ+ rights, this conversation promises to be both informative and inspiring.

There will be ISL interpretation at this event.

This venue is wheelchair accessible.

• WhenCathain: Saturday 12.10.2024 | 2:30pm
• WhereÁit: Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge Directions
• How to AttendConas Freastal ar: Book Online

Debut Voices: Niamh Mulvey and Maggie Armstrong

Join us for a conversation with debut authors Niamh Mulvey and Maggie Armstrong. This event presents a rare chance to hear from two rising stars in the literary world as they discuss their debut books and share their experiences of bringing their stories to life. Both Mulvey and Armstrong will offer a fresh perspective on what it’s like to be a new voice in literature, from the challenges of writing their debuts to the excitement of seeing their work in print. Whether you’re an avid reader or an aspiring writer, this conversation will provide valuable insights and inspiration.

There will be ISL interpretation at this event.

This venue is wheelchair accessible.

• WhenCathain: Saturday 12.10.2024 | 4pm
• WhereÁit: Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge Directions
• How to AttendConas Freastal ar: Book Online

On the Edge of the (Other) Worldly: Hagstone - Sinéad Gleeson in conversation with Jackie Lynam

We are delighted to welcome the return of Sinéad Gleeson to Kildare Readers Festival! She will discuss with librarian and author Jackie Lynam the role that the natural world plays in Sinéad’s debut novel, Hagstone - how land and seascape serve as backdrop, as foreground, as character – how place comes to permeate the living – what it means to live beyond the parameters of the known world, past the horizon line. And to speak of the need for solitude, the lure of community and of so much art…

There will be ISL interpretation at this event.

This venue is wheelchair accessible.

• WhenCathain: Saturday 12.10.2024 | 8pm
• WhereÁit: Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge Directions
• How to AttendConas Freastal ar: Book Online

Sunday Sessions: Lives Within Families

The experience of family life is unique to all of us, most especially now when the definition of what constitutes a family has radically changed. Kildare Readers' Festival's Sunday kicks off with author Dermot Bolger conducting his traditional public conversation with two guests whose recent books explore different aspects of being in a family unit.

Claire Kilroy’s acclaimed new novel, Soldier Sailor, is an urgent, memorable and gut-wrenching meditation on motherhood, love, creativity and identity. Exploring the clash of fierce love for a new life with a seismic change in identity, she vividly describes the tumultuous emotions of a new mother, who feels plunged (in the words of The Guardian) “into a world that has diminished her, reduced her to the near-voiceless role of ‘mother’… finding herself torn out of what she had believed was her real life and deposited in a sleep-deprived, incoherent parallel universe.”

Filled with pathos and humour, Fiona Neary’s Parcels in the Post is a memoir of a loving household and a snapshot of the fostering system in Ireland, from someone who was at the heart of it from the moment when Fiona’s huge-hearted mum decided to take in foster children on their family farm. Over the next decade, a procession of faces passed through the family home. Every child had their own story, and each story claimed a little piece of Fiona’s heart. All these children had to pass through a chaotic system: where a judge’s decision can alter a child’s life, for better or worse; where emergency placements can break up siblings and foster families are often left in the dark. Her memoir has been described as ‘Warm, life-affirming … an inspirational and memorable read.’

Claire Kilroy’s debut novel, All Summer, received the 2004 Rooney Prize for Irish Literature and her second novel, Tenderwire, was shortlisted for the 2007 Irish Novel of the Year. Soldier Sailor was shortlisted for the 2024 Women’s Prize for Fiction.

Fiona Neary co-founded the Rape Crisis Centre in Castlebar in 1993, and later acted as National Coordinator and Executive Director of Rape Crisis Network Ireland. She is currently co-director of the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar. Parcels in the Post is her first book.

There will be ISL interpretation at this event.

This venue is wheelchair accessible.

• WhenCathain: Sunday 13.10.2024 | 11am
• WhereÁit: Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge Directions
• How to AttendConas Freastal ar: Book Online

Kildare Library & Arts Service/Maynooth University Writer-in-Residence: Introduced by Belinda McKeon

For our final event on Sunday, acclaimed novelist, short story writer, playwright and Associate Professor in the English Department at Maynooth University, Belinda McKeon will interview Catherine Prasifka, the newly appointed Writer-in-Residence for Maynooth University/Kildare Library and Arts Services for 2025. This is a unique opportunity to meet the new Writer-in-Residence and hear firsthand about their plans and aspirations for the year ahead. They will share how this residency will support their writing practice and influence their creative journey. Previous Writers in Residence include Paul Lynch, winner of the 2023 Booker Prize.

In conversation with Belinda McKeon, Catherine will discuss the significance of the MA in Creative Writing at Maynooth University and how it shapes emerging writers. The discussion will touch on the writer’s role within the university and community, as well as the various projects and events they intend to pursue during their residency.

This promises to be an inspiring conversation, offering a glimpse into the creative life of a writer and the impact of literary residencies. Whether you're a writer, a student, or simply a lover of literature, this event will provide valuable perspectives on the writing life and the opportunities available to writers in Ireland today.

There will be ISL interpretation at this event.

This venue is wheelchair accessible.

• WhenCathain: Sunday 13.10.2024 | 1pm
• WhereÁit: Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge Directions
• How to AttendConas Freastal ar: Book Online

'Oíche Airneál' sa Leabharlann

Bígí linn i Leabharlann Nás na Ríogh le haghaidh 'Oíche Airneál' sa Leabharlann; oíche spreagúil comhrá, filíochta, amhránaíochta agus ceoil i nGaeilge. Beidh Seán de Paor ina óstach ar an ócáid. In éineacht leis ar an oíche beidh an tÚrscéalaí agus craoltóir Anna Heussaff, an File Louis de Paor agus an tIriseoir agus craoltóir John Downing. I rith na hoíche beidh ceol á sheinm ag Banna Céilí Chill Chéile agus Féilim Mac Donncha..

Join us in Naas Library for a ‘Social Night’ in the Library, an exciting evening of Irish conversation, poetry, song and music. Seán de Paor will host the event. He will be joined on the night by Novelist and broadcaster Anna Heussaff, Poet Louis de Paor and Journalist and broadcaster John Downing. Music throughout the evening will be performed by the Kilteel Ceili Band and award winning Féilim Mac Donncha.

This venue is wheelchair accessible.

• WhenCathain: Dé Céadaoin 16.10.2024 | 7pm
• WhereÁit: The Chamber | Leabharlann agus Ionad Cultúrtha an Náis Directions
• How to AttendConas Freastal ar: Book Online