2024 Festival Events
Fighting Words
Fighting Words is about using the creative practice of writing and storytelling to empower young people to tell their stories.
Music Tech for Teens
Expert musician educators from Music Generation Clare will demonstrate the basic skills of music technology and production to students from
A Dive Into Comics!
Join artist and storyteller Wayne O’Connor as he guides you through the techniques of comic making and illustration. In his
Expert Tips for Teenage Reads
Reading for fun as a teen or young adult can sometimes fall by the wayside for many reasons, but there
Claire Kilroy and Sinéad Gleeson in conversation with Edel Coffey
A fascinating coming together of talents, this event will be moderated by novelist and journalist, Edel Coffey (author of Breaking
Denise Mina, Andrea Mara and Doug Johnstone discuss crime fiction with Andrea Carter
We have a great line up for this event, overseen by Andrea Carter, herself a writer of note. Described by
Festival Weekend Opening
Join us in the wonderful setting of glór foyer to celebrate the opening of our 18th festival. The perfect opportunity
Writers from the West —Una Mannion, Mike McCormack & Sarah Gilmartin in conversation with Derek Hand
From Philadelphia, Una Mannion now lives in Sligo. Tell Me What I Am is an unsettling and multi-layered novel about
We Are Human Too – Book Launch
This ground-breaking book delves into the dark reality of neglect, abuse and deprivation of liberty faced by disabled people in
Paula Meehan
The Solace of Artemis is the latest collection from Paula Meehan, one in which she explores the mythic and the
Clara Kumagai discusses her YA Novel, Catfish Rolling
In her presentation to Secondary School students at Kilrush and Kilkee libraries, Clara Kumagai will introduce her YA novel Catfish
Paula Meehan Event for Secondary Schools
As a poet whose powerful work is suffused with themes of family and community, the oral tradition and vibrant and
Children’s Bookclub event – Ellen Ryan in conversation with Sarah Moore Fitzgerald
Ellen Ryan, award-winning children’s writer, will be in conversation with Sarah Moore Fitzgerald on her new book, Gods Don’t Cry,
Old Flames with Brian Leyden & Seamie O’Dowd
Brian Leyden and Seamie O’Dowd marry stories and music from across the decades in a warm-hearted, lyrical evocation of romance
Eddie Lenihan (with Trish O’Dea and Bart Lever)
Eddie Lenihan is an Irish author, storyteller, lecturer and broadcaster. He is one of the few practicing seanchaithe remaining in
Elaine Howley (with support from Róisín Berkeley)
Elaine Howley is a songwriter, vocalist and producer who merges a tapestry of experimental and analogue processes with a love
Debut Novelists – Michael Magee, Lauren Mackenzie & Colin Barrett in conversation with Peter Murphy
Update: 8am Saturday 2nd March – due to unforeseen circumstances, Michael Magee is unfortunately unable to join us for this
Rebecca Makkai, Pulitzer-nominated writer, in conversation with Belinda McKeon
We are delighted to welcome Chicago-based writer Rebecca Makkai to Ennis for this in-depth conversation with Belinda McKeon. In her
Ten Books You Should Read – Cónal Creedon invites Liam Ó Maonlaí and Rónán Hession to share their picks
Festival favourite Ten Books You Should Read returns to glór. Liam O’Maonlaí and Rónán Hession join us for an adventurous
Walking Tour of Ennis with Jane O’Brien
Join Jane O’Brien on her award-winning walking tour of Ennis. Praised by the Lonely Planet as the best way to
Books and Buns Quiz
Enjoy a Saturday morning book club gathering and test your knowledge of all things literary in our beloved Books and
Mark O’Connell in conversation with Theo Dorgan
Mark O’Connell is the author of A Thread of Violence, Notes from an Apocalypse, and To Be a Machine, which
Beyond Borders Book Club
The Beyond Borders Book Club is a celebration of great literature from countries beyond Ireland, recommended by guests who have
Clare Youth Theatre
Clare Youth Theatre is a theatre programme for teenagers led by its members and responds to their interests and issues
Dani Gill and Alice Kinsella explore maternal lineage in their work
Alice Kinsella’s non-fiction book, Milk, was published in 2023. Dani Gill’s poetry collection, Lessons in Kindness, came out in the
Clare-based writers – John Lillis, Tara Smith and Darragh McKeon in conversation with Martina Durac
John Lillis is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Liscannor in Co. Clare. His book, The Beach Report, explores ritual and
Memoir– Kerri ní Dochartaigh, Martin Doyle and Eimear Ryan talk about the self with Pat Carty
In this event, journalist Pat Carty will explore memoir, nature writing and personal accounts of the self with three writers
Rónán Ó’Snodaigh and Myles O’Reilly
Musicians Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Myles O’Reilly’s album The Beautiful Road, a soulful blend of folk, traditional, and ambient music follows
Ellen Ryan – Gods Don’t Cry
An exciting event with Ellen Ryan as she explores the remarkable journey she went on when researching her book, Gods
Michael McCaughan presents ‘The Cuban Revolution in 7 Stories and Songs’
Michael McCaughan is a writer, researcher, broadcaster and parent; he has lived and worked in Latin America for almost three
Sunday Symposium – Breaking the Cycle of Poverty: A crisis of imagination?
With Justine McCarthy, Dr. Rory Hearne and Little John Nee and moderated by Sheila de Courcy While most of us
Maryellen Hodgins Reading and Poetry Collective open Mic
A reading by Maryellen Hodgins from her new book, Life and Other Poems, followed by the Poetry Collective Open Mic.
Hush Hour
Step into Hush Hour, a reading party that redefines social gatherings for book lovers. Leave behind the noise of the
Literary Lunch
As a poet, librettist, documentary writer, essayist, novelist and translator, Theo Dorgan is one of Ireland’s best-known writers. Previously the
Siobhan Peoples, Conor Crimmins and Alan Reid
Our last event of the EBCF Fringe focuses on the traditional music of Co. Clare, gathering together 3 masters of