Delvin Book Festival - this year's Short Story Competition is now open
(Scroll down for entry details: closing date is April 15)
The organisers of the annual Delvin Book Festival and the accompanying Short Story Competition (in association with the Westmeath Examiner) have launched this year’s event.
In 2018 they celebrated the centenary of the publication of The Valley of the Squinting Windows by Brinsley Macnamara.
The festival is inspired by the personal, cultural, and historical links between the author and Delvin, his birthplace.
Year on year the number of visitors attending has grown, and 2018 was no exception.
Readers of all ages were delighted with the range of fiction and non-fiction books on offer and an enjoyable atmosphere was enhanced by live music by Pat Kellehan and local musicians.
The festival provides a forum for established and emerging writers to showcase their work.
Last year there were contributions from Patricia Gibney and Bernie Comaskey.
Bernie Comaskey reading at last year's festival.
Patricia Gibney reading at last year's festival.
A spokesperson for the organisers said: “We were especially pleased with the standard of the entries to our Short Story Competition and once again Manchán Magan did them justice as guest reader.
Guest reader, Manchán Magan, reading the winning stories. In front are the junior and senior winners Finn MacGinty O'Neill and Helena O'Connor and festival volunteer, Julie O'Brien.
“Looking back on 2018 is getting us very excited about this year’s festival which is on Sunday May 5.
It’s at the same quirky venue – Potterton’s Cattle Mart, guest readers, live music and thousands of books all priced at €1 or less.”
There is free parking for the event and a number of craft and food stalls will be on site.
The spokesperson added: “If you need any assistance on the day, flag down anyone in a yellow vest. They may look slightly exhausted and bemused but they love to help.
“We are looking forward to seeing you all there.”
If you have unwanted books, there is a book-drop on March 30 at the Handball Alley, Main Street, Delvin from 10am to 3pm.
For other information see delvinbookfestival.com.
