DATES FOR NEXT FESTIVAL
7 – 9 March 2014

A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OUR AUTHORS, SPEAKERS, SPONSORS AND VOLUNTEERS FOR MAKING THE 2013 FESTIVAL SUCH A SUCCESS AND THANK YOU TO ALL THE AUDIENCE MEMBERS WHO CAME IN SUCH NUMBERS.

We had readings, lectures, discussion, debate, drama, art, and cake! Authors and speakers who took part included Marina Lewycka, John Banville, Joseph O'Connor, the BBC's Fergal Keane, Michael Harding, Roisin Shortall TD, Sean Moncrieff, Conor Brady, Mary O'Rourke, Aine Lawlor, Brian Lucey, Belinda Jack, Michael Smith, Royal Shakespeare Company's Education Department, Elaine Byrne, Tony Curtis, Margaret Hickey, Kate Bateman, Liz Ryan, Pádraic Breathnach, Anne McCabe, Patricia Canning of The Reader Organisation, Sean Spellissey, Ennis Walking Tours, and Clare Three Legged Stool Poets.

Check out the Gallery for 2013 festival photos. See who you can spot.

Readers' Festival

The Ennis Book Club Festival is a wonderful social and literary gathering bringing together book club members and readers from all over Ireland and beyond. Supported by Clare County Library, the festival includes author readings, discussions, workshops and walking tours through the narrow streets and lanes of Ennis. We offer sessions on running book clubs, advice on reading lists, poetry, events as Gaeilge, and an opportunity to compare notes and meet with other Book Club members.

Over the years the festival has attracted wonderful authors and speakers including Edna O'Brien, Nuala O'Faolain, Roddy Doyle, Anne Enright, John Boyne, Lionel Shriver, Joseph O'Connor, Paul Durcan, Peter Sheridan, Kevin Barry, Anne Enright and Patrick McCabe to name but a few.

Dates for next festival are 7-9 March 2014. Come and combine your love of reading with a great weekend away!

A flavour of the 2013 festival......

Joseph O'Connor hosted a Giant Book Club Gathering
As part of The Gathering we enjoyed a Giant Book Club Gathering during the festival and we were thrilled that acclaimed author Joseph O'Connor hosted the event. A packed house discussed his novel Star of the Sea and enjoyed the most amazing cake from Zest.

How to read a novel

Kate Bateman once again led a very popular workshop on How to Read a Novel. For the workshop notes please click here..

Reading Shakespeare

The Royal Shakespeare Company's Education Department hosted eight terrific workshops for school students, adult learners, Clare Youth Theatre and for the general public during the festival. These workshops enhanced the knowledge and confidence of attendees in accessing Shakespeare's stories, characters and language. The visit of the Royal Shakespeare Company's Education Department was made possible by funding from the Arts Council. The Arts Council participation in the Cultural Programme to mark Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union is supported by the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Dramatic Dining

Fishamble - The New Play Company, presented a hilarious one woman show The Wheelchair on my Face during a literary lunch in the Old Ground Hotel. Written and performed by Sonya Kelly, the play was a brilliant way to bring the festival to a close and Sonya received a well deserved standing ovation.

Dennis O'Driscoll remembered

Renowned poet Dennis O'Driscoll was to have read at this year's festival but sadly Dennis died in December. Late on Saturday afternoon poets and readers gathered in The Old Ground Hotel to honour his memory. Readings, music and memories all combined to make for a very special gathering. Thanks to Tom Conaty for all his help in making this possible.

10 Books you Should Read

On Saturday morning RTE journalist Aine Lawlor and author and broadcaster Sean Moncrieff revealed their top ten favourite books. For the list of 10 Books you Should Read click here..

Reading for Life

The Reader Organisation is a UK charity dedicated to bringing about a Reading Revolution – making it possible for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to enjoy and actively engage with literature on a deep and personal level. The pioneering project engages with over a thousand beneficiaries every week in youth clubs, hospitals, workplaces, care homes, prisons, schools, libraries and corporate boardrooms. Dr Patricia Canning works with them through a shared reading model called 'Get into Reading.' Her talk 'Reading for Life' incorporated a workshop entitled 'Shared Reading: A Real Life Experience.' This event was supported by Clare County Library. Find out more about the Reader Organisation at http://thereader.org.uk.

Merriman Short Story Competition

The winner of the Merriman Short Story competition in memory of Maeve Binchy was announced on the opening night of the festival. Congratulations to Danielle McLaughlin from County Cork whose story In Through the Skin was chosen by the panel of judges. Danielle read her story beautifully on the night and we see a great literary future for her. Thank you to all those who submitted entries for the competition and to the Cumann Merriman for collaborating with us on this lovely tribute to Maeve Binchy. To find our more about the fantastic Merriman summer school which takes place in Clare every year check out www.merriman.ie.

Still Life with Books

Thank you to the Ennis Art School for their fabulous exhibition in the Rowan Tree Café. It featured paintings with books as the subject matter.
To view the 2013 Programme click here

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