Programme of Events 2008

Friday
10.30am Rotunda Right	Treats for Kids: with Marita Conlon-McKenna
	Marita Conlon-McKenna One of Ireland’s most popular children’s writers, Marita has written many bestselling books for O’Brien Press, including Hawthorn Tree: Children of the Famine (1990) and A Girl Called Blue (2004). Perfect for children aged 9, 10 and up.
11am Bookshop	Celebration: Launch of Leabhar Power Campaign
	Launch of the 2008 Leabhar Power Campaign with Máire Ní Mhaoláin Promoting the best contemporary Irish language books, Leabhar Power is a promotional initiative run during Seachtain na Gaeilge to get people buying and reading Irish language books, see www.leabharpower.com
11.30am Rotunda Right	Treats for Kids: with Judi Curtin
	Popular children’s author Judi Curtin is the author of O’Brien Press titles, Alice Next Door (2005), Alice Again (2006) and Don’t Ask Alice (2007), amongst other books. Perfect for children aged 9, 10 and up.
12pm  Rotunda Left	Up For Discussion: Irish Publishing: Dead or Alive? with Michael Gill, Michael O'Brien and Conor Kostick with Seán Ó Cearnaigh
	Seán Ó Cearnaigh chairs a discussion about Irish publishing with industry veterans Michael Gill (Gill & Macmillan) and Michael O’Brien (The O’Brien Press), and chairperson of the Irish Writers’ Union, Conor Kostick.
12.30pm Rotunda Right	Treats for Kids: with Eddie Lenihan
	Legendary storyteller and bestselling author of many books from Mercier Press including the award winning Irish Tales of Mystery and Magic illustrated by Alan Clarke.
1pm Rotunda Left	Celebration: Launch of 'New View of the Irish Language', Cois Life
	This major book goes beyond statistics and rhetoric to explore the true significance of Irish in the contemporary world. Launch by Liam Ó Maolmhichil (chair, Foras na Gaeilge).
1.30pm Rotunda Right	Author Reading: with Emerging Writers Geraldine Creed, Alison Maxwell and David Maybury
	James Ryan, novelist and Director of Creative Writing at UCD introduces us to Geraldine Creed, Alison Maxwell and David Maybury, three recent graduates from UCD and three names to look out for in Irish literature in the future.
2pm Council Chamber	In Conversation: Anthony Cronin with Anne Haverty Introduced by Sinead Mac Aodha, Ireland Literature Exchange
	Anthony Cronin, one of the most distinguished writers in Ireland, is a poet, novelist, playwright, literary critic and a Saoi of Aosdána. New Island and Lilliput have published his recent books. This event is a celebration of Tony’s career on the 50th anniversary of the publication of his first poetry collection. Among Anne Haverty’s renowned literary achievements are 3 novels, 1 poetry collection and a biography. She lives in Dublin with Anthony Cronin. Sinead Mac Aodha is a leading arts practitioner in the area of Irish literature and is currently Director of Ireland Literature Exchange.
2.30pm Rotunda Left	Author Reading: with Eilís Ní Dhuibhne, Karen Ardiff and Stephen Price Introduced by Cathal McCabe (Irish Writers' Centre)
	Éilís Ní Dhuibhne writes in English and Irish for adults and young people. Her latest novel is Fox, Swallow, Scarecrow (Blackstaff, 2007). Karen Ardiff is an actor and author of The Secret of My Face (New Island). Stephen Price’s novels, Monkey Man (2005) and The Christmas Club (2006) are published by New Island.
3pm Rotunda Right	Author Reading: with Liam Ó Muirthile, Colm Breathnach, Deirdre Brennan and Cliodhna Cussen Introduced by Elly Shaw (Leabhar Power)
	Liam Ó Muirthile’s latest poetry collection is Sanas (Cois Life, 2007), which includes a CD of Ó Muirthile reading his poems, some of which are accompanied by music composed by Iarla Ó Lionaird; with Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Steve Cooney. Colm Breathnach’s books include Cantaic an Bhalbháin (Coiscéim, 1991), An Fearann Breac (Coiscéim, 1992), Croí agus Carraig (Coiscéim, 1995), An Fear Marbh (Cló Iar-Chonnachta, 1998), Chiaroscuro (Coiscéim, 2006), Cat agus Luch (Coiscéim, 2000). Deirdre Brennan is a bilingual writer of poetry, short stories and drama and has published 7 poetry collections to date with Coiscéim, Lapwing and Arlen House. Cliodhna Cussen is a sculptor and author with books published by Clodhanna Teo, Bord na Gaeilge and Coiscéim.
4pm  Council Chamber	Up For Discussion: Big Fellow, Long Fellow: Michael Collins and Eamonn De Valera with Ryle Dwyer, Mary Banotti and Dr. Martin Mansergh TD chaired by Fergal Tobin (Gill and Macmillan & CLÉ)
	Ryle Dwyer has written many books on Collins and De Valera published by Mercier and Gill and Macmillan, including De Valera’s Finest Hour, De Valera’s Darkest Hour, I Signed My Death Warrant: Michael Collins and The Treaty, The Squad – and the Intelligence Operations of Michael Collins, Michael Collins – The Man Who Won the War, Big Fellow, Long Fellow: A Joint Biography of Collins and De Valera and De Valera: The Man and the Myths. Mary Banotti is the grand-niece of Michael Collins. She is the author of There’s Something about Mary (Currach Press, 2008) and wrote the introduction to Michael Collins and the Making of the Irish State. Dr Martin Mansergh is TD for Tipperary South and author of The Legacy of History (Mercier Press, 2003). He has played a key role in the Northern Ireland peace process.
4pm Rotunda Left	Celebration: Stinging Fly 10th Birthday Party Hosted by Declan Meade
	Since the publication of its first issue in March 1998, The Stinging Fly has worked to seek out and promote the very best new Irish and international writing and has played host to many 'debuts and new beginnings' during the past ten years. This special birthday event will include readings of fiction and poetry by some of the many people who have been involved in the magazine's first ten years.
4.30pm Rotunda Right	Author Reading: with Padraig Ó Gallchoir, Micheál Ó Conghaile and Padraig Ó Snodaigh Introduced by Seán Ó Cearnaigh (CLÉ)
	Pádraig Ó Gallachóir’s short stories are widely published and his debut novel Na Déithe Bréige was published by Coiscéim in 2007. Micheál Ó Conghaile has written poetry, drama, short fiction, a novel, novella and literary and cultural criticism for Cló Iar-Chonnachta and Arlen House. He founded Cló Iar-Chonnachta, the prestigious publishing company in 1985. Pádraig Ó Snodaigh’s literary and academic work are published by Coiscéim, Lagan Press and Irish Academic Press. He is founder and editor of Coiscéim which has been a seminal influence in Irish language publishing since the 1980s.
Saturday
10.30am Rotunda Right	Treats for Kids: with Ríona Nic Congáil, Laoise Ní Chomhraí, Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair Introduced by Majella McDonnell (Scríbhneoirí Óga na Gaeilge)
	Ríona Nic Congáil has published An Túr Solais (2004) and An Leabhar Órga (2006) with Coiscéim. She founded Cumann Scríbhneoirí Óga na Gaeilge (the Irish-language Young Writers Association) in 2007 in order to nurture and develop the literary pursuits of young writers. Laoise Ní Chomhraí’s first book is Ag Taisteal le Tarlach sa tSeapáín (An Gum) and she is currently completing her second. Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair’s two children’s books are Dhá Chluas Capaill ar Labhraí Loingseach (Cló Mhaigh Eo, 2004) and Cóisir sa Choill (Cló Mhaigh Eo, 2007).
11am Rotunda Left	Up For Discussion: Cute Hoors & Brown Envelopes - 86 years on from the Irish Republic, is this what we've become? with Stephen Collins, Shane Coleman and Annie Ryan chaired by Brendan O’Brien
	Stephen Collins is the Political Editor of the Irish Times whose books include The Power Game: Ireland under Fianna Fáil (2000) and People, Politics and Power: From O’Connell to Ahern (O’Brien, 2007). Annie Ryan’s two books with Liberties Press are Witnesses: Inside the Easter Rising and Comrades: Inside the War of Independence. Shane Coleman is political correspondent for the Sunday Tribune and former business editor of that newspaper. He has written Foot in Mouth – Famous Irish Political Gaffes (2006) and Up the Poll: Great Irish Election Stories (2007) both with Mentor Books. Brendan O’Brien is a former history teacher and television journalist. He is the author of The Long War: The IRA and Sinn Fein and A Pocket History of the IRA.
11.30am Rotunda Right	Treats for Kids: with Enda Wyley Introduced by Mags Walsh, Children’s Books Ireland
	Teacher and poet Enda Wyley was born in Dublin in 1966. The Silver Notebook (2007 O’Brien Press) is Enda’s latest book for children and tells the story of Timothy Finn, a young boy who sets out to unravel the mystery of his pastPerfect for children aged 9, 10 and up.
12.30pm Rotunda Right	Treats for Kids: with Tom McCaughren
	Tom has written a number of books for young people for The Children’s Press/Anvil Press and six fox books for Wolfhound Press, from Run with the Wind to Run to the Wild Wood.
1pm Rotunda Left & Bookshop	Celebration: Launch of 'Ariadne's Thread', Margaret Mac Curtain
	Margaret Mac Curtain’s Ariadne’s Thread: Writing Women into Irish History (Arlen House) launch by Caitriona Crowe Ground-breaking essays on Irish women’s history, politics, religion and culture from Dr Margaret Mac Curtain (Sr. Benvenuta), the founder of Irish women’s history.
1.30pm Rotunda Right	Author Reading: with Oran Ryan, Ross Hattaway, Noel O'Briain and Quincy R Lehr Introduced by Sarah Lundberg
	Oran Ryan is Dublin born and bred and a poet, novelist and playwright. Ross Hattaway is New Zealand born but now lives in Dublin with his Irish wife and children. Noel O’Briain is a poet, playwright, producer and director and former head of drama in RTE. Quincy R Lehr is an Oklahoma born, Galway based poet.
2pm Rotunda Left	In Conversation: Dermot Bolger & Joe O'Connor chaired by Anthony Glavin
	Dermot Bolger is a novelist, poet, playwright and critic. His nine novels include Night Shift (1985), The Woman’s Daughter (1987) and The Family on Paradise Pier (2005). He has published six volumes of poetry, including Taking My Letters Back: New & Selected Poems (1998). Between 1977 and 1992 he ran Raven Arts Press, and in 1992 co-founded, and has been executive editor, of New Island. Joseph O’Connor was born in Dublin. Among his works are a collection of short stories, True Believers, an award-winning stage-play Red Roses and Petrol, the bestselling Secret World of the Irish Male collection (New Island)and the novels Cowboys And Indians, Desperadoes, The Salesman, Inishowen, Star of the Sea and Redemption Falls. Anthony Glavin is author of a novel, Nighthawk Alley, and two short story collections, One for Sorrow and The Draughtsman and the Unicorn available from New Island.
2.30pm Rotunda Right	Celebration: with International Board on Books for Young People 10th Birthday Party
	The International Board on Books for Young People (iBbY), is an network committed to bringing books and children together. iBbY Ireland organises seminars, exhibitions and publications and nominates authors and artists for the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award and for the Honour Books. iBbY’s journal Bookbird: A Journal of International Children’s Literature, is currently co-edited by Valerie Coghlan, President of iBbY Ireland and by Irish author, Siobhán Parkinson.
3pm Rotunda Left	Author Reading: with Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Kate Newmann, Pat Cotter and Jessie Lendennie Introduced by Sarah Bannan (Arts Council)
	Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill is one of Ireland’s most celebrated poets and the first Irish language poet to receive major international acclaim. Her poetry has been published by An Sagart, Gallery, Raven Arts/New Island, Mercier and Cló Iar-Chonnachta. She is a former Ireland Professor of Poetry. Kate Newmann’s first collection of poetry is The Blind Woman in the Blue House (Summer Palace 2001), followed by a poetry CD, How Well Did You Love?, (2006) and a joint collection with Joan Newmann, Belongings (Arlen House, 2007). Patrick Cotter’s chapbooks include The Mysogynist’s Blue Nightmare (Raven Arts Press, 1990); and A Socialist’s Dozen (Cork, Three Spires Press, 1990). His debut collection, Perplexed Skin is just published by Arlen House. Jessie Lendennie is editor of Salmon Poetry where she has published almost 300 collections. Her own poetry collection is Daughter (1988), she has edited Salmon: A Journey in Poetry (2007) and is now working on a memoir for the University of Arkansas Press.
4pm Council Chamber	In Conversation: with Kate Thompson & Cathy Kelly with Sue Leonard
	Kate Thompson’s first paid writing work was for a poem published when she was 14. She had a successful career as an actor before ditching the day job to write full-time. Her novels have been widely translated, and are international bestsellers. She is currently working on her twelfth novel. Cathy Kelly’s first book Woman to Woman was published by Poolbeg in 1997 and was an instant bestseller. Her subsequent novels have been international number ones and her tenth novel, Lessons in Heartbreak, is just out. In 2005, she was appointed as a UNICEF Ireland Ambassador. A journalist, Sue Leonard writes for the Irish Independent, the Irish Examiner, The Evening Herald and Books Ireland. She has interviewed in excess of 200 authors. Born in Oxford, she now lives in County Wicklow.
4pm Rotunda Right	Author Reading: with Mary Rose Callaghan, Elizabeth Wassell and James Ryan Introduced by Elizabeth Brennan (Blackhall Publishing & CLÉ)
	Mary Rose Callaghan has published eight novels, including The Visitor’s Book and Billy Come Home (Brandon, 2001 and 2007). She is also the author of many short stories, one play and a biography.  Elizabeth Wassell’s novels are The Honey Plain (Wolfhound 1997), Sleight of Hand (Wolfhound, 1999) and The Thing He Loves (Brandon, 2001).  Her short stories have appeared in the Irish Times and the Dublin Review. James Ryan’s novels Home from England (1995), Dismantling Mr Doyle (1997) and Seeds of Doubt, (2001) were published in London. South of the Border, his fourth novel, is published in February 2008 by Lilliput.
4.30pm Rotunda Left	Author Reading: with Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Medbh McGuckian, Pat Boran and Joan Newmann Introduced by Billy Ramsell (Munster Literature Centre)
	Medbh McGuckian belongs to the generation of Northern Irish poets who followed in the wake of the Nobel Prize-winning Seamus Heaney. Her many poetry collections from Gallery Press include On Ballycastle Beach (1988), Captain Lavender (1994), and Drawing Ballerinas (2001). Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin is a founder-editor of the literary magazine Cyphers (1975-), and is Associate Professor of English at Trinity College, Dublin, where she has taught since 1966.  Her poetry collections are published by Gallery, and Selected Poems will be published this summer. Pat Boran is a poet, fiction writer, editor, publisher, critic and broadcaster. He has published 5 collections with Dedalus: The Unwound Clock (1990), Familiar Things (1993), The Shape of Water (1996), As the Hand, the Glove (2001) and New and Selected Poems (Salt, 2005, Dedalus, 2007). Joan Newmann joined the Philip Hobsbaum Belfast Group in 1963 and her first chapbook was published by Queen’s in 1965. She has since published collections with the Honest Ulsterman, Abbey Press, Blackstaff and Arlen House. She is co-director of the Summer Palace Press.
Sunday
11.30am Rotunda Left	Up For Discussion: The G.A.A. & the 21st Century - does the legacy survive? with Michael Foley, Seán Kelly and Niall O'Flynn
	Michael Foley, GAA correspondent with The Sunday Times, is the author of Kings of September, The Day Offaly Denied Kerry Five in a Row (O’Brien Press, 2007), a gripping account of the classic 1982 GAA final and winner of the Boylesports Irish Sports Book of the Year Award. Niall O’Flynn from Dublin is a journalist and producer/director with RTÉ Television Sport. Niall’s upcoming book, Ireland's Olympians, is published by Collins Press in association with RTE. Sean Kelly is a former President of the GAA (2003–2006). He will be best remembered for the opening of Croke Park to Rugby and Soccer and he has written a book about this amazing development, Rule 42 & All That (Gill & Macmillan, 2007).
1pm Rotunda Left	Author Reading: with Patrick Chapman, Nuala Ní Chonchúir, Billy Ramsell and Enda Coyle-Greene Introduced by Pat Cotter (Munster Literature Centre)
	Patrick Chapman’s collections include Jazztown (Raven, 1991), The New Pornography (Salmon, 1996) and Breaking Hearts and Traffic Lights (Salmon, 2007). His story collection is The Wow Signal. With Philip Casey, he founded the Irish Literary Revival website in 2006. Enda Coyle-Greene is pursuing a long-held ambition to study towards an MA in Creative Writing at Queen’s University Belfast. Her first collection, Snow Negatives, won the Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award in 2006 and was published by Dedalus Press in 2007. Billy Ramsell began writing seriously in 2000 when he moved to Barcelona and in 2005 was short-listed for a Hennessy award. In 2007 his debut collection, Complicated Pleasures, was published by Dedalus. He lives in Cork where he co-runs Forum Publications, Ireland’s fastest growing educational publishing company. Nuala Ní Chonchúir’s debut bilingual poetry collection Tattoo : Tatú was published by Arlen House in 2007, following two successful short fiction collections. She is fiction editor for Southword magazine for 2008; she will also judge this year's Seán Ó Faoláin Short Story Prize.
1.30pm Rotunda Right	Author Reading: with Manchán Magan and Gabriel Rosenstock
	Manchán Magan is a writer, traveller and television maker. No Béarla, his documentary series about travelling around Ireland speaking only Irish sparked debate in 2007. He has written award-winning books in Irish including Baba-ji agus TnaG (Coiscéim) and his English books Angels & Rabies and Manchán’s Travels: a Journey through India are published by Brandon. Gabriel Rosenstock is a poet, haikuist and translator who recently took early retirement from An Gúm to write on a full-time basis. Recent titles include the spiritual diary Dialann Anama (Coiscéim), the bilingual volume, Bliain an Bhandé/ Year of the Goddess (Dedalus), the children’s picture book Na Daoine Dalla (An Gúm) and his selected haiku in Irish Géaga Trí Thine (Comhar).
2pm Council Chamber	In Conversation: Pauline Bewick with Maureen Gaffney
	Pauline Bewick is one of Ireland’s most celebrated artists and has been painting now for seventy years, since she was two. The first book she illustrated was poems of Thomas Kinsella published by Dolmen in 1955, and she has subsequently published many books including Pauline Bewick’s Seven Ages (Arlen House, 2006) which is the catalogue of her major donation of art to the State. Dr Maureen Gaffney is chair of the National Economic and Social Forum, and author of The Way We Live Now (Gill and Macmillan, 1996) and Glass Slippers and Tough Bargains: Women, Men and Power (Attic, 1991).
2.30pm Rotunda Left	Celebration: with Salmon Poetry
	Salmon editor, Jessie Lendennie will introduce a range of poets in celebration of Salmon’s anniversary volume, Salmon: A Journey in Poetry. Participating poets include: Mary Dorcey, Maurice Harmon, Frank Golden, Mark Garnier, Anne Le Marquand Hartigan, Jean O’Brien, Noel Monahan, Rory Brennan, Heather Brett, Sheila O’Hagan and Alan Jude Moore.
3pm Rotunda Right	Author Reading: with Kevin Barry, Geraldine Mills and Mike McCormack Introduced by Ann Luttrell (Triskel Arts Centre, Cork)
	Kevin Barry’s collection There Are Little Kingdoms was published by the Stinging Fly Press in March 2007 and featured as a book of the year in both The Sunday Tribune and The Irish Times. Kevin was awarded the 2007 Rooney Prize for Irish Literature. His fiction has appeared in a number of magazines and anthologies, including The Adirondack Review and The Dublin Review. Geraldine Mills is a widely published poet and short story writer. Arlen House has published her two short story collections Lick of the Lizard (2005) and The Weight of Feathers (2007/2008). Bradshaw Books published her two poetry collections Unearthing your Own (2001) and Toil the Dark Harvest (2004). In 2007 she was awarded a Kavanagh Fellowship. Mike McCormack is the author of a collection of short stories, Getting it in the Head (1996) and two novels, Crowe’s Requiem (1998) and Notes from a Coma (2005). The recipient of numerous awards, including the Rooney Prize and the New York Times Book of the Year Award, McCormack is currently working on a new collection of short stories.
4pm Council Chamber	In Conversation: John Montague with Mary Cloake Introduced by Sean O’Keeffe (Liberties Press &  CLÉ)
	This event is a celebration of John’s career on the 50th anniversary of the publication of his first poetry collection, Forms of Exile (Dolmen, 1958). Since then he has established himself as a master of the epic poem, chronicling the Troubles in The Rough Field and The Dead Kingdom and writing of love in The Great Cloak.  He has published numerous volumes of lyric poems, as well as short stories, essays and two memoirs, the most recent being The Pear is Ripe (Liberties, 2007).  In 1995, he became the first Ireland Professor of Poetry. Mary Cloake was appointed Director of the Arts Council in 2004 and has a distinguished career as an arts practitioner.
4pm Rotunda Left	Up For Discussion: Crime in Ireland with Barry Cummins, Niamh O'Connor and Eamon Dillon, chaired by Paul Williams
	Paul Williams is Ireland’s most respected and biggest selling crime writer. A qualified criminologist, he has won a number of major journalism awards for his courageous work as the Crime Editor with the Sunday World. His previous bestsellers, Crime Lords, Evil Empire, The General and Gangland, have all won national and international acclaim. His most recent best-seller The Untouchables; Ireland’s Criminal Assets Bureau and its War on Organised Crime inspired the production of the hard-hitting TV3 documentary series Dirty Money: The Story of the Criminal Assets Bureau. Williams is also a member of the internationally respected International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICJ). Eamon Dillon has been an investigative journalist with the Sunday World for over 10 years. He has reported extensively on the traveling community in Ireland and The Outsiders: Exposing the Secretive World of Ireland’s Travellers is his first publication with Merlin Publishing. Eamon Dillon’s second book will be out this Autumn. Niamh O’Connor is the author of the best-selling book about Catherine Nevin, The Black Widow. She is also Crime Correspondent with the Sunday World. She has previously worked for The Examiner, Ireland on Sunday and RTÉ. She is also the author of Cracking Crime which explores the fascinating and ground breaking work of Dr. Jim Donovan and his forensics team. Barry Cummins is the author of three books, Missing (Gill and Macmillan, 2003), Lifers (Gill and Macmillan, 2004) and Unsolved (Gill and Macmillan, 2007). He works as a reporter with RTÉ.
4.30pm Rotunda Right	Author Reading: with Muiris O Meara, Majella McDonnell, Proinsias Mac a' Bhaird and Alan Desmond Introduced by Riona Nic Congáil (Scríbhneoirí Óga na Gaeilge)
	Muiris O Meara is a poet and short story writer who has published in Comhar and Feasta. Majella McDonnell is an active member of Scríbhneoirí Óga na Gaeilge, a new society aiming to promote reading and writing of the Irish language among young people. Alan Desmond has written two short novels for adult learners of Irish, An Foghlaimeoir Fásta (2006) and the sequel Gaeilge agus Grá. His most recent publication, Seal sa Pholainn is an account of his time in Poland. Proinsias Mac a’ Bhaird has written three books. His first, Cogar san Fharraige was published in 2002, followed in 2004 by a poetry collection, Idir Beocht agus Beatha. His most recent book, a novel, An Tairiscint, was published in 2006.

Organised by CLÉ - Irish Book Publishers' Association, the Dublin Book Festival took place from Friday 7th to Sunday 9th March in Dublin’s City Hall, Dame Street, Dublin 2.

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