KEANE ON BOOKS
I’m just back from gorgeous Lake Garda, where among many cultural delights I devoured The Ghosts of Rome, the second novel in Joseph O’Connor’s Escape Line trilogy. Due in January, it will be well worth the wait. Along with Joe, rugby legend Andrew Porter, actor Geraldine Plunkett, writer Sinead Moriarty et al, I’m looking forward to taking part in Letters for Life on Tuesday September 10. To raise funds for the valiant Irish Cancer Society we’ll be reading poignant, funny, thought-provoking letters in the historic surrounds of Tullow Church, Foxrock. Tickets €35 from eventbrite.ie.
The great Paul Durcan turns 80 in October and to mark the occasion Harvill Secker is publishing 80 of his poems spanning half a century. The book, with an introduction by Colm Tóibín, will be launched at a special evening in the Gate Theatre on October 21, with readings by Barry McGovern, Catriona Crowe and Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin among others, and music from Steve Cooney and Lisa Lambe. Tickets on sale this Wednesday at gatetheatre.ie.
The much-loved Wicklow festival of art and nature, The Shaking Bog, is on September 14-15. Among its highlights: a conversation between writers and filmmakers Philip
Hoare and Alan Gilsenan; Paula Meehan’s poetry with music from harpist Aisling Ennis in St Patrick’s Church, Enniskerry and Distillation (at the Mermaid in Bray) from director Luke Casserly, with an olfactory journey through an Irish bog landscape. Visit shakingbog.ie.
Irish comic book festival for children will take place October 4-5. Run by the wonderful team at children’s bookshop Halfway up the Stairs and funded by the Arts Council, it will take place there and at The Whale Theatre. Expect creators of the Milly McCarthy series, Leona Forde and Karen Harte, a special afternoon for young makers of comic books, plus plenty of schools’ and family events. Check out halfwayupthestairs.ie.