9th February 2007

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Some of Ireland’s most prominent novelists, poets and journalists will be taking part in this year’s Many Voices Festival of Literature, hosted by the University of Ulster.

This programme of readings in prose and poetry, creative writing workshops for adults and children, talks and discussions will run from Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 February. 

The Festival is the fruit of a partnership between the University’s Cultural Development Department and the School of Languages and Literature. 

This year, in collaboration with local arts officers and writing groups, events will be taking place in Ballycastle, Ballymoney and Portstewart as well as on the Coleraine campus so that communities throughout the Causeway Coast area can enjoy the wealth of talent on offer. 

Professor Robert Welch, novelist, poet, and Dean of the University’s Faculty of Arts, will open the Festival on Tuesday 20 with a reading from his most recent poetry collection, The Evergreen Road and other works.   

Cathal O’Searcaigh, one of Ireland’s pre-eminent poets today, who writes mainly in Irish, will join editor, writer and translator, Frank Sewell, who is also a lecturer in the University, for a reading in the Antrim Arms in Ballycastle on Wednesday 21 February. 

In an open forum panel discussion at lunchtime on Thursday 22 February, three of Ireland’s leading journalists, Conor O’Clery, Malachi O’Doherty and Chris Ryder will talk about their careers, offering their diverse perspectives on issues such as reporting in Northern Ireland, reporting on international conflict and the relationship between politicians and journalists. 

That evening in Flowerfield Arts Centre they will each read from their published memoirs and biographies, offering a personal insight into the world of journalism and politics.   

Two of Ireland’s best-selling thriller writers, Colin Bateman and John Connolly, will appear in Ballymoney Town Hall on Friday 23 February. Bateman created and wrote the hit BBC series Murphy’s Law starring James Nesbitt. Connolly will give the audience a preview of his forthcoming novel, The Unquiet, due to be published this spring. 

The internationally renowned short story writer Bernard MacLaverty who wrote the screenplays for Cal and Lamb will appear in the University on Saturday 24 February to read from his latest, widely acclaimed book of stories, Matters of Life and Death.

For anyone interested in developing their skills as a writer the poet Kate Newmann will be giving a creative writing workshop in the University’s Coleraine campus on Saturday morning.   She will then give a lunchtime reading from her own poetry collections accompanied by guitarist Bill Campbell who will perform his settings to some of her poems as well as playing a solo guitar piece. 

There will also be a unique creative writing workshop for children in Flowerfield Arts Centre on Saturday afternoon when Paul Howard, the illustrator of such well known books as The Bravest Ever Bear, will illustrate the participants ideas to steer them as they build their own story.

To book tickets or for further information contact:  Janet Mackle, Cultural Development Office, Coleraine: 028 7032 4683 or visit the Cultural Development website on http://www.culture.ulster.ac.uk 

For further information, please contact:

Press Office, Department of Communication and Development
Tel: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk