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Arguably the biggest rural Literary Festival outside Belfast, the Rath Literary Festival is pleased to announce their line-up of exciting artists and authors coming to Rathfriland in June.
Margot Groves from the organising committee tells us more: “We are delighted to be bringing such a wealth of talent to Rathfriland, with poets, authors and musicians taking part - there is something for everyone to enjoy no matter which genre they prefer.
“Tickets available now through TicketSource, or by emailing rathliteraryfestival@gmail.com. We advise people to book early as due to the event spaces, numbers are restricted.”
Local author and poet Maggie Doyle and musician Dr Linley Hamilton MBE will begin the festival on Friday 6 June with an evening of ‘Prose, Poetry and Jazz’ based on Maggie’s nature inspired book Mountain Notes. This event is in Chandler’s House starting at 8.00pm.
Saturday will begin at 11.00am, also at Chandler’s House, with a quartet of poets reading their work. Linda McKenna, Emma McKervey, Kelly Creighton and Milena Williamson known as Femina Culpa write poems inspired by nineteenth-century women caught up in the criminal justice and mental health systems.
Popular Rathfriland band Whiskey Before Breakfast will be playing a folk acoustic set at the Old Belfast Bank where the Royal British Legion will be serving up lunch from 12.30pm. A table quiz will be available to challenge attendees on their literary knowledge.
Back at Chandler’s House in the afternoon, local storyteller, musician, and educator Anne Harper will perform ‘Myth, Magic and Music: The Bardic Heritage of Iveagh’ at 3.00pm. The event will also act as the premiere performance on her new harp funded by the Arts Council NI.
Belfast author Tony Macauley will open the evening at 7.30pm exploring the theme ‘From Paperboy to Peacebuilder’ covering his series of books about growing up in Belfast.
Margot adds, “We are extremely excited to welcome internationally renowned Duke Special, who will follow Tony. Renowned for his enigmatic live performances, he will share music and thoughts about Songs, Books and Art.”
On Sunday morning, 8 June, experienced local tour guide, Shelagh Henry, will lead a Historic Walking tour ‘Hellfire and Heroines Tour: A Rich Tapestry of Rathfriland’s History’ sharing stories of the town’s former famous residents, leaving Chandler’s House at 11am. Suitable footwear is recommended, and the tour will last 90 minutes.
Following the tour a soup and sandwich lunch will be available at Chandler’s House from 12.30pm.
For the Festival finale on Sunday 8 June, the festival moves to the iconic and atmospheric Drumballyroney Church and Schoolhouse reflecting Rathfriland’s close links to the Brontë family. At 3.00pm, local historian Uel Wright will give a talk, ‘The Brontës in Ireland: A Reappraisal’ in the original schoolhouse where Patrick Brontë taught. Moving to the Church Dublin novelist Martina Devlin will give a presentation on ‘Charlotte Brontë in Ireland' delving into the life of the eldest Brontë sister.
Visitors are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful scenery from the church grounds where free tea and coffee will be provided by the Rathfriland WI group.
The Festival programme will finish in the atmospheric Drumballyroney Church at 7.00pm when Scottish singer and songwriter Pauline Vallance will bring her one woman play What the Brontës did at the Fringe with musical accompaniment by Jacynth Hamill.
The Rath Literary Festival, Friday 6 to Sunday 8 June, is being organised by Rathfriland WI, Rathfriland & District Regeneration Company and Hilltown Community Association with the support of the Rathfriland WI’s National Community Lottery Fund grant and Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Council.
You can follow developments and event booking links via the Rath Literary Festival Facebook page or by emailing Rathliteraryfestival@gmail.com.
