Shelley Corcoran (co:worx Poetry), Elizabeth Fitzsimons and Angela Tuite (Maria Edgeworth Committee and co:worx Art Exhibition), Clare McEnroe (co:worx Hub)
Known for its literary background, the Maria Edgeworth Festival returns for another weekend of art, music and creativity.
Taking place from May 9 to 11, this event is to be full of entertainment for families and creators alike. Sponsors include: Longford Community Resources, Creative Longford and Longford Tourism.
On Friday at noon, Dr Linda Doyle will address attendees. The first female provost from TCD will highlight the long connection between Edgeworthstown and Trinity College Dublin over 300 years. Friday afternoon will include a historical walk towards Maria Edgeworth’s ancestral home, to St John’s Church, where she is buried. The heritage walk will end at the Maria Edgeworth Centre. The evening will have a 6pm performance by the Monstrim Youth Theatre, and an open mic opportunity for writers of poems and short stories in the hub–with last year having up to 75 participants. Over the course of the day, the hub and main street will be an exhibition for local artists. A comedy show and further entertainment will be at 9.30pm.
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Attendees are expected to enjoy a Saturday with storytelling for children, as well as poetry, short story and lace-making workshops. Saturday evening will host a Culture Night on the green, having a conversation between Andrea Mara and Charlie McGettigan. The day will award the prizes for the winning entries of the Maria Edgeworth Poetry and Short Story Competition.
To finish the weekend off, Sunday will consist of outdoor yoga in the green in conjunction with local crafters from Co. Longford and neighbouring counties. It will also consist of an 18th century tea party in Regency costume, along with face painting.
With one year left until the 225th anniversary of Maria Edgeworth’s ‘Belinda’, a revolutionary novel which covers a variety of modern themes, the festival continues to keep this author relevant for many generations.
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The event has a wide range of experiences to enjoy, regardless of interests in literature, or wanting to immerse oneself in the festival.
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