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Former Irish President, Mary McAleese is heading for this year's Rostrevor Literary Festival. This years festival takes place 9 November from 10am to 5pm at An Cuan in the village.
Dr McAleese will be in conversation with journalist William Graham (former Irish News Political Correspondent) and will talk about growing up in Belfast and also living for a period in the village of Rostrevor and her time as President from 1997 until 2011.
Mary was the first President to come from Northern Ireland where she and her family experienced first-hand the sectarian violence of The Troubles. The theme of her presidency was Building Bridges.
Her work for peace and reconciliation culminated in the historic state visit to Ireland by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II in May 2011.
She is author of a number of books including A Memoir, Here’s the Story (2020).
The Rostrevor Festival will feature a diverse range of writers including Eanna Ni Lamhna, Martina Devlin, Denis Bradley, John McCavitt, Francis Devine and Florence Gillan. There will be music from Matthew McGrath.
Speaking about this year's Festival lead organiser William Graham said: "This is the 8th year of our popular annual festival on the stunning shores of Carlingford Lough.
"A day of talks, presentations and discussion with a wide range of writers from across the island. Sit back and enjoy as we light up your day in Rostrevor - a village which has rich treasures in literature and music.
"The writer C S Lewis, who drew inspiration from Rostrevor and the landscape of the Mourne mountains, once said: Literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it. It enriches the necessary competencies that daily life requires and provides, and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become.’’
An Cuan is at 44 Shore Road, Rostrevor BT34 3ET. The Festival is supported by Newry, Mourne and Down Council.
Tickets £15, includes morning coffee. There will be a bookstall by Seaside Books, an independent travelling bookshop. Lunch available to purchase on site.
Tickets are available online at www.tickettailor.com or can be purchased on the day at door (cash sales) although it is advisable to reserve tickets beforehand.
Download or view the Programme at Rostrevor Literary Festival 2024
The following day 10 November, there will be an event at Rostrevor Inn, 3 - 5pm, led by Matthew McGrath. Bring a poem, story or song to `Take the Mic’ at Crawford’s Bar. This is a free event.
