LEADING IRISH authors will descend on Wexford from April 11th for the Wexford Book Festival 2008.
Festival organisers yesterday launched their programme of events, which for the first time runs in association with the Irish Book Awards. Now in its fifth year, the festival runs from Friday, April 11th, through Sunday, April 13th.
Visitors can look forward to book readings, meet the author events and creative writing workshops over the weekend.
The festival has enjoyed great success in the past and Irish authors such as Brendan O'Brien, Niamh Greene and Diarmaid Ferriter will be giving talks. Festival chairwoman Emer Lovett said the event's profile had been raised thanks to the support of high-calibre authors.
"Wexford punches above its weight with regard to home-grown literary talent. Having such highly regarded Wexford authors such as John Banville, Colm Tóibín and Eoin Colfer amongst others . . . makes attracting a top line-up to the festival an enjoyable task."
RTÉ presenter Mary Kennedy will also be reading from her book, Lines I Love, which is nominated for the Irish Published Book of the Year award in the Irish Book Awards. "The level of cultural activity in the town has never been so high. The festival fits very well into the cultural calendar and there is a thriving scene down here now," Ms Kennedy said.
The highlight of the weekend will be the Festival Literary Lunch on Sunday, to be hosted by John Banville and Julia Kelly. Festival tickets and information are available from Wexford Chamber on 053 91 22226.