Buncrana Community Library will be the location for a very special event called Donegal Literature and Landscape on Ireland Reads Day, Saturday 24th February. Inspired by the Booker Prize win of Donegal author Paul Lynch, a host of the county’s most talented poets, novelists, artists and historians will come together to discuss the way the unique and rugged landscape of Donegal has influenced their own work. Writers from William Allingham to Brian Friel have tapped into our richest resource, the hills, glens and coastline of the county to create great works of fiction, poetry and drama.

This event, funded by Creative Ireland, is an opportunity to celebrate Donegal as a place apart. A place that that has inspired and produced writers from the Four Masters and their annals to a Booker Prize winning author. Paul Lynch has harnessed the power of the rugged landscape of his native county in his own writing. With one review stating how his first novel, Red Sky in Morning:

“…startles with its language that is imbedded in landscape and nature, particularly in the terrain of County Donegal’s Inishowen.”

Although Paul cannot be with us for the event, it will allow us the opportunity to acknowledge his remarkable achievement of winning the Booker Prize for his novel Prophet Song in the company of other Donegal writers including: Moya Cannon, Breandán Mac Suibhne, Angela Byrne, Laoighseach Ní Choistealbha, Garrett Carr, Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde, Alan Millar, Kevin Doherty, Ros Harvey, Tim Stampton and Kathy Donaghy.

A number of panel discussions led by Kathy Donaghy will examine how authors ‘bring Donegal with them’ into their work as well as examining what ‘writing Donegal’ means in terms of both contemporary and historical literature.

The event will begins at 3pm and will include music from the wonderful Ceolan School of Music, who will play at the interlude. Refreshments will also be provided. The Donegal Literature and Landscape symposium is free and open to all but booking is advised. Contact Buncrana Community Library on  074 9361941 or visit www.donegallibrary.ie for more information.

NOTE: Ireland Reads is an initiative of the Government of Ireland to celebrate the joy of reading. It is funded by Health Ireland and supported by public libraries and many organisations that promote reading, literacy and the arts. Visit www.irelandreads.ie for more information.

Donegal Literature and Landscape Buncrana Community Library 24th‌‌