Caomhnú Literary Festival

Caomhnú Literary Festival Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th Feb 2009, Cavan
Caomhnú Literary Festival brings together the very best literary talent in the country for an interesting mixture of readings, workshops, performances and surprises. The event opens with the intriguing ‘Darkness Visible’ exhibition at the multi award winning Johnston Central Library, Farnham St, Cavan. This exhibition features artists: Ailbhe Ni Bhriain, George Bolster, Andy Harper, Angela Huntbach, Breda Lynch, Alice Maher, Eoin Mc Hugh, Ann Mulrooney and Kate Street and the opening with be complimented with a dramatic selection of poetry by Anne Le Marquand Hartigan.

Much of the weekend activities take place at the Farnham Radisson SAS Hotel, beautifully set in the rolling Cavan countryside. A weekend in this often overlooked but enchanting landscape will lead all aspiring writers to their Muse. Multi award winning novelist Joseph O Connor will read from his work on Friday evening. The Nyah will compliment the evening’s proceedings. On Saturday award winning poet and playwright Noel Monahan will guide writers through a poetry masterclass. The short story genre will feature on the workshop classes as will writing for children and songwriting with Iain Archer, Snow Patrol and Peter Baxter, Songschool. Renowned children’s illustrator PJ Lynch will give a series of Illustrated Talks on his craft and in particular his Gullivers Travels at Johnston Central Library. Séamus Ó hUltachain Irish language poet will be among the contributors at the festival.

Members of the Lit Lab who hail from counties Meath and Cavan will launch new work at the weekend and will feature along with Kieran Furey and Martin Kelly, recent authors from Windows Publications. Heather Brett, poet, artist and editor will Chair this event.

On Saturday evening guests will be treated to lively readings and performances from Michael Harding and Billy Roche and on Sunday writers can enjoy the authors in conversation about the creative process and other pressing matters.

Johnston Central Library will host the Greer Lecture in the afternoon. This year’s speaker will be announced shortly. On Sunday the Caomhnú National Short Story and Poetry Competition Award Winners will be announced.

From the lovely Barbara's Bleeuugh blog.

The Caomhnú Crannóg Bookshop National Short Story Competition
Judge: novelist Shane Connaughton
Stories shouldn’t exceed 2,000 words, in Irish or English.

Caomhnú National Poetry Competition
Judge: Noel Monahan;
Poetry is not more than 40 lines

Fee: €3.
Deadline: January 16th,
1st Prize €200
2nd Prize €100
3rd Prize €70

The work must not have been previously published, self published, published on a website or broadcast, or received a prize in another competition.