Parenting, poetry, Puss in Boots and revolting rhymes
By Mary Dennehy
THE fourth Red Line Book Festival was officially launched this week, opening a new chapter for the literary festival which celebrates reading, writing and the spoken word in a fun, energetic and engaging way.
Organised by South Dublin Libraries and Arts, the festival is a major event on the calendar of South Dublin County – with local poets and writers joining a host of national and international authors to deliver a page-turning, world-class event to local communities.
Running from October 11 to 17, the festival was officially launched by Mayor Sarah Holland in the County Library, Tallaght, on Monday.
Speaking about the festival, Mayor Holland said: “The Red Line Book Festival has been pivotal in promoting literacy and a richer cultural life in South Dublin County.
“On behalf of all involved with South Dublin County Council, I would like to pay tribute to the many organisations and individuals both locally and nationally who have helped to make the Red Line Book Festival happen.
“I have no doubt that the quality of its programme and accessibility will attract many new audiences to South Dublin County.”
Accomplished novelist Catherine Dunne was also present at the launch and applauded the library service for creating such a wonderful event – one which she has participated in for the past four years.
Ms Dunne also stressed the importance of local libraries in nurturing reading and writing, believing that an access to books provided to her as a child by local libraries paved the way for her own writing career.
She said: “Writers also love events like The Red Line Book Festival, we can get out and meet readers – a book is only a text until it finds a reader.
“The Red Line Book Festival strives to entertain, include and stimulate, and it always fulfils that vision.”
The festival programme boasts a diverse selection of events for all ages and interests, with members of the local community encouraged to embrace the festival as their own and to participate in the celebration – which inspires, nurtures and promotes.
A snapshot of events include Puss in Boots in the Civic Theatre, an introduction workshop to creative writing, a talk on Positive Parenting in a Technological Age, TEDx Tallaght, poetry workshops, an evening of poetry, prose and memoir with acclaimed Clondalkin writer Colm Keegan, a talk with travel writers Julianne Mooney, Karl Whitney and Pat Liddy, an interesting discussion on Haunted Ireland with author and photographer Tarquin Blake and a reading of Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes.
Readers’ Day on Saturday, October 17, will see Dermot Bolger in conversation with renowned writers for a relaxed and intimate day of readings and public conversations, including Jennifer Johnson, one of the foremost Irish writers who has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize, poet Michael O’Loughlin, novelist Hugo Hamilton, presenter Joe Duffy and many more familiar names.
Visit www.redlinebookfestival.ie for more, or the festival’s Facebook page, or drop into your local library for a brochure.
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