Mayo book lovers invited to local literary festival

Book lovers, curious minds and anyone who enjoys a good yarn are invited to make tracks to Erris Focail Chósta: A Literary Festival by the Sea next weekend (12–14 June).

Set against the spectacular backdrop of Mayo's Atlantic coastline, the festival promises a weekend packed with conversation, creativity, inspiration and plenty of craic.

Along with award-winning authors Michael Harding, Miriam Mulcahy, John Connell, and Tom McAdrews, Fulbright Scholar, psychologist and director of the Therapy Institute, Dr Richard Hogan will give a talk on the mental health challenges created by modern technology in teenage life.

Ireland’s foremost technology journalist Adrian Weckler, recipient of the David Manley Award, will discuss global and domestic technology landscapes, as well as his link to the Erris region and his broadcasts from Belmullet for Al Jazeera; the international news agency reaching 450 million households daily.

For budding creative writers, best-selling author Ruth O Leary, whose novels are celebrated for their emotional depth, will hold a creative writing workshop focusing on how place, memory and character can be central to a story. Crime fiction writer and International White Raven Award winner Martina Murphy, who has 25 penned novels, will host a workshop for aspiring writers to help explore their creative side.

Concluding Saturday's talks, million-copy bestselling author Faith Hogan will be joined by Ruth O Leary and comedian and comedy writer Valerie Troy to chat, laugh and discuss the world of literature and comedy. 

For more information on this free festival, visit: https://arasinisgluaire.ie/main/focail-chosta-literary-weekend/