New chapter for Longford based Booktown Festival

As the launch of the Granard Booktown Festival approaches the organisers have released details of some of the impressive offerings that will be part of the annual event.
The headliners are: Booker prize winner Paul Lynch, award winner Sinead Gleeson and foreign correspondent with BBC News, author Fergal Keane.

In April of last year Granard assumed the mantle of Ireland's literary centre as the town was transforming into a writing hub by hosting the country's first Booktown Festival. Visitors from far and wide flocked to the town to enjoy a packed programme of events over the three days.

Once again Granard Booktown Festival will encourage people who love books to visit the town and share in the arts generated around books and provide cultural amenities through the building of not just a national festival but an international one in the heart of Ireland.

In their social media post the organisers said: “Join us on March 21st for the official launch of our 2024 programme in Granard Library at 7:30 pm. There will be a special reading from 2024 artist-in-residence Noel Monahan, and festival director John Connell will unveil our full programme and list of events for this year's festival.”
Renowned Irish author and artist Sinéad Gleeson will participate in the festival on Friday, April 19 to discuss her haunting debut novel Hagstone. Journalist and festival patron Shaunagh Connaire will host the discussion.

The following day Paul Lynch, the winner of the 2023 Booker Prize for his novel 'Prophet Song', will have an in-depth conversation with festival patron and award-winning author Belinda McKeon on Saturday, April 20.
Fergal Keane, one of the BBC’s most distinguished correspondents, who has received multiple awards for his reporting, including the Emmy, BAFTA, and George Orwell Prizes for literature will be in discussion with Longford native and RTE Prime Time presenter Fran McNulty about his remarkable career and memoir The Madness on Sunday April 21.
Inspired by the global Booktown movement, Granard's literary get together sees the town dedicated itself to books, literature, and the arts for three glorious days.
Granard is the first Irish town to organise a Booktown Festival. The festival committee has been working very hard to return to the lofty heights achieved by last year's event.
Using words and literature the festival brings speakers, writers and artists to the town from Friday April 19 to Sunday April 21.