All a-Twitter about the Town of Books Festival

Tweeter and non- tweeters alike may know that presidential candidate Michael D. Higgins is on Twitter as @md_higgins, but you may not know that he is also a published poet! He's written a book, published by Liberty Press, called ‘New and Selected Poems. On Saturday, 17 September at 3pm, The Town Of Books Festival in Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny will provide festival goers with a chance to hear Mr. Higgins read his poems, and they can decide for themselves if the poems are as pithy as his tweets!

Avid social media fan and one of the festival’s organizers, Susan FitzGerald said ‘’I love poetry, and am looking forward to having Michael D Higgins read and sign some books here in Graig. His poems are very socially conscious, and I am not surprised he is embracing these new ways of interacting with people; especially with Twitter being like poetry in that you need to be concise. There will be a free Tweet Up (meet up for twitter users & non users alike) at 4.30 in Murray’s pub after Michael D’s talk- I’m not sure if he will make it, but we can always tweet him and tell him the fun he missed!’’

Edward Hayden also loves Twitter!

TV3 celebrity chef, author, and Graiguenamanagh resident Edward Hayden is also on Twitter (@EdwardHayden) and he will be doing a free cookery demonstration at 8.30 pm on Saturday the 17^th at the Abbey Centre. There will be samples and a raffle, and Edward will also have a stall at the Book Festival’s local food and craft fair on Sunday the 18^th. Another Twitter using participant at the food and craft fair will be Knockdrinna Cheese (@Knockdrinna,) amongst others- so book, food, and craft lovers not yet on Twitter may want to go to the Tweet Up to find out what the tweeting fuss is about! But no Twitter is required to enjoy the festival and the 20+ book, and some record, sellers! (like Charlie Byrnes Books & Irish Record Fair) Go to Graiguenamanagh on September 16th-18^th, pick up a book & treasure trail map, and stroll the medieval streets at leisure!

The Town of Books Festival tweets at @TownOfBooksFest, and is on Facebook at Irelands Town of Books Festival. For the full festival programme, see www.booktownireland.com Email them at info@booktownireland.com .The festival is kindly supported by KLP, Leader, and is part of the Kilkenny Community Festival Network.

Adventurers and Adventurous Readers Meet at the Town of Books Festival!

Adventurers and Adventurous Readers Meet at the Town of Books Festival!

Gary Quinn & faithful companion

‘’The Sea Road’’ will be coming inland to Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny on Sunday, 18 September!  As one of the events of the Town of Books festival, Irish Times journalist Gary Quinn will be telling travel adventure enthusiasts and armchair travellers alike about his experiences kayaking the multi-faceted Irish ‘Sea Road.’  From the Copper Coast to Slieve Leauge, Gary encountered, and wrote about, everything from beautiful sea caves to challenging wave patterns, Irish speaking seals, fascinating people, and very tasty lobster. Graiguenamanagh’s brand new Scout Hall will host this talk with video clips from his excursions this summer. The talk will start at 2pm and is only €2- a bargain travel adventure!

Here's what he wrote about starting to kayak:

FOUR YEARS AGO I stood on the south strand in Skerries in north Co Dublin. I had undergone surgery for a serious back injury and three months of post-operative rest had left me overweight and lacking motivation. I felt old and weak.

In front of me were the inner islands at Skerries and beyond them stood Rockabill, the lighthouse that stands so intriguingly distant on the horizon.

As I watched, a lone kayaker weaved around and between the inner islands, catching swell and returning back on his route over and over. I was transfixed. His freedom, dexterity and athleticism were so alien to how I felt, rooted to the sand, that it was like being taunted. I realised then that I had to either follow this stranger to the sea or grow old and fat in an armchair.

At first I tried to get out alone. I bought a river kayak and launched from the north strand. I got wet and feared venturing too far from the shore.

Then I got some proper training and the sea simply opened up. And what a sea. The Atlantic is wild but the Irish sea, with its roughly carved coastline, rugged islands and wildlife, can be incredible.

I don't know about you, but can relate to that! I'm coming out of (I hope!) an injury & still am an armchair adventurer, but hearing of his paddles gives me great enjoyment-they will you, too! 

Graiguenamanagh- photographer unknown..

Our wonderful town of Graiguenamanagh is located on the river Barrow, and has a rich tradition of boating, rowing, paddling and fishing. Also on Sunday the Graiguenamanagh Rowing club will be hosting rowing races from 10am to 12pm, and there will be boats of many different types moored along the quays the whole weekend. (& a river-themed craft workshop on Saturday for kids- see the full programme for more!) The book festival is of course as full of books as it is boats, and features over 20 different book sellers; several of them offering titles in outdoor activities, sports, boating, and all types of travel- adventurous or armchair! The book trail will wind through the medieval village from 2pm to 6pm on Friday 16 September, and 10am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday the 17^th and 18^th of September.  This year the trail also incorporates a family- friendly treasure hunt, with prize winners drawn on Sunday at 4pm, after an exciting circus street performance in the town square.

Brian Roberts can't get enough of reading or the river! Photo by  nickverekerphotography.com/

Brian Roberts, who started the festival in 2003 and is also the head of the Rowing Club, is delighted with the way many of this year’s events highlight the Barrow River and outdoor enjoyment.  He said ‘’The river Barrow is the jewel in Graiguenamanagh’s crown, and no event- even a book festival- can take place without events linked to the river. It is the heart of our community.’’

Come see, do, hear, eat,  browse, & have fun, all beside the gorgeous river Barrow, at this year's Town of Books Festival! 

Follow us on Facebook at Ireland’s Town of Books Festival, and Twitter @TownOfBooksFest.

   The festival is kindly supported by the Kilkenny Leader Partnership, and is part of the Kilkenny Community Festival Network.

The Play 'One For the Road' returns for the Town of Books festival!

the gang before it all goes wonky!

Especially for the Town of Books Festival, 'One For The Road' returns for one night only! Catch this funny, but thought-ful, original play by Graiguenamanagh writer Adrian Kavanagh on Friday, 16 September, 8pm at the Duiske Inn. We saw it on its last run, and it is well worth going to see, we laughed out loud at some of the goings on.The actors are all local, and are quite good! I expect we will continue to see great things from all involved with the play, so go see them now so you can say ''I saw so & so before they were famous!'' 

seduction method #1

 Here's the blurb from The New Ross Standard:

 IF YOU have ever wondered what college is really like then head along to The Duiske Inn in Graiguenamanagh where a new and original play will be staged.

'One For The Road', a romantic comedy which brings to life everything college life is really about, will be staged on Friday night at 8 p.m.

Six friends have spent the year enjoying what college has to offer, however for some college is not all that it seems to be and may be tougher than they thought.

This drama has been written and is being directed by Adrian Kavanagh, a student of Humanities in Carlow and is produced by Una Dalton from Skeoghvosteen. It stars James O'Connor from Clonroche, Catriona Kilbride from The Rower, Julie Ralph from St. Mullins, Adrian Kavanagh and Megan Stacey from Graiguenamanagh, Laura Murphy and Nicola Whitty from Skeoghvosteen and Ollie Kelly Michael Walsh from New Ross.

Doors will open at 7.30 p.m., tickets cost €10, and bookings can be made by phoning 087-9439979. Parents are advised that explicit language is used throughout.

seduction method #2; which will be more successful?

Find out what college life is really like, or relive those (hazy?) memories on Friday  16 September, 8pm. Enjoy! :-)