Literature key to Dublin's economic renewal - Mayor

THE IMPORTANCE of Dublin’s literary activity to its economic renewal was highlighted at the launch of the Dublin Book Festival last night.

Over 100 Irish authors, poets and journalists will feature in the festival, which runs from March 6th to 8th. Speaking at the launch, Lord Mayor of Dublin Emer Costello said that promoting Dublin as a creative and cultural city was important to economic renewal.

Festival artistic director Alan Hayes said he was hopeful that Dublin would be designated a Unesco International City of Literature in the next few months.

This “huge opportunity” would open the city to an international audience and bring in cultural tourists, who spend more money and stay longer, he said.

Surviving redundancy and Ireland's rebel history are among the issues being debated in a series of public discussions which are taking place throughout the festival. Irish Timesliterary editor Caroline Walsh will join a discussion on the art of literary criticism, while Irish Timesjournalists Gerry Thornley and Gavin Cummiskey will explore sports writing in Ireland.

Readings from Irish writers will take place throughout the weekend including poetry from Theo Dorgan, Rosita Boland and Geraldine Mills and prose with Ciarán Carson and Claire Keegan.

As part of the Irish Times"In Conversation" series, writers including Nell McCafferty, Eileen Battersby and Mary Kenny will be interviewed by other authors.

Women writers will take centre stage on the festival’s final day, which coincides with International Women’s Day.

Among the highlights are the launch of a posthumous book by Nuala O'Faolain, A More Complex Truth: Selected Writings.A debate on the legacies of feminism will include Labour Senator Ivana Bacik and National Women's Council director Susan McKay.

Mr Hayes said promoting young writers was very a important part of the festival. “We have an ageing profile of Irish writers and if we don’t give young writers an opportunity now, we will find in a couple of decades that we have very few writers.”

The festival will include readings from a selection of emerging writers of prose and poetry. A range of children’s readings and workshops will also be held.

The events are being held at City Hall, Dame Street. Further information can be found at dublinbookfestival.com