Stellar line-up confirmed for Ennis Book Club Festival 2015

The 2015 Ennis Book Club Festival Programme offers the perfect mix of poetry, politics and fiction. Once again book clubs from all over are invited to get together in Ennis to share their joy of reading, to meet authors, to discuss books and to have a weekend break with friends.  Even if you’re not in a book club, try out the Festival, we believe that we have something for everyone.

This year we've got: Catalpa performed by Donal O Kelly on Friday night 6th March following the Festival launch by author and RTE presenter Evelyn O Rourke.

Denis Sampson will pay us a visit to read from his memoir The Migrant Heart, recounting his journey from East Clare where he grew up to Canada where he now lives. Denis was last in Ennis to share with us his writings on John McGahern.  

On Saturday morning, our very special guests, Joseph O'Connor and Evelyn O'Rourke tell us about the '10 books that you should read'. Joe joins us by arrangement with the Creative Writing programme at the University of Limerick.

We have a lyrical lunch with some of Ireland's favourite poets - Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Peter Fallon and Michael Coady.

Clare resident and award winning Niall Williams reads from and discusses his work in the company of Mary Costello whose recent Academy Street has wowed critics and readers alike.

In a very special ‘Ones to Watch’ session we feature Colin Barrett, Sarah Baume and Nuala Ní Chonchúir who are on track to be national and international literary sensations.

Michael Smith makes a return trip to Ennis with his much admired, recently published Shackleton - By Endurance We Conquer. 

Seán Rocks once again joins us for our centre stage at glór event and this year we are delighted to host acclaimed crime writer and novelist, Val McDermid together with Paul Carson.

The theme of this year's Sunday Symposium in glór is Politics and Pathology, which will explore ‘life in the trenches’ for your average Irish politician. Have you ever asked yourself why, in the face of inevitable failure, people choose politics as a career? Our panellists including Des O'Malley, former PD leader; Professor Gary Murphy of DCU; Mick Clifford, of The Irish Examiner; and Katie Hannon from RTE’s Prime Time offer some insights.

"We love meeting other book club members and book lovers and comparing notes. We want to meet the writers to hear about their work and to hear about what they like to read. We want to get ideas for reading lists and tips on approaching new material. Most of all we want to celebrate reading," says Chairperson Anne Knox.

Tickets will go on sale at glór, Ennis, Co. Clare from Monday January 26th.
www.glor.ie