Richard Ford headlines Write By The Sea

Richard Ford, the Pulitzer Prize-winning American author, has been announced as the headliner for Write By The Sea, the annual boutique literary festival taking place in Kilmore Quay, County Wexford, from September 25th to 27th. This marks the festival's 11th year and continues its tradition of bringing together internationally renowned writers alongside emerging voices in Irish literature. Ford will participate in two key events during the festival, beginning with a discussion with fellow authors John Banville and Alex Clark on the opening day, followed by a return appearance on the final afternoon. The festival, which is organized entirely by volunteers, promises a rich program of literary engagement, featuring readings, panel discussions, and creative workshops. On Saturday morning, the schedule will open with a thematic focus on Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the EU, offering a diverse range of programming that includes fiction, poetry, memoir, translation, and historical analysis. Among the featured speakers is Michael Fortune, who will explore the cultural links between Brittany and south Wexford through folklore; Laetitia Devaux, a translator, will engage in a dialogue with Sheila Armstrong on the subject of literary translation; and Éilís Ní Dhuibhne will converse with Mary Costello. Poetry readings will be presented by Jane Clarke, Eoin Devereux, and Moyra Donaldson. Additional highlights include Molly Hennigan, Kate Phelan, Sinéad Gleeson, and Arnold Thomas Fanning, who will examine An Asylum for My Affections: Sketches of Maeve Brennan; Anne Enright will discuss her first essay collection with Aoife Barry; and debut novelists Neil Tully and Orla Mackey will delve into themes of rural life and community. Natasha Brown will share insights on her novel Universality with Kevin Power, while Rosaleen McDonagh will talk about her debut novel with Emilie Pine. Carlo Gébler will reflect on family, memory, and his relationship with Edna O’Brien, in conversation with Sinéad Gleeson. The day will conclude with a session led by crime writers Sam Blake, Andrea Carter, and Rebecca Hannigan, who will explore the craft of suspense and the darker aspects of Irish life. On Sunday, the festival will feature readings from Margaret Galvin, Philip Quirke, and Paul Hennessy, paired with performances by local musicians. Paul Cullen will discuss his memoir Outsider with Róisín Ingle, while Órfhlaith Foyle and Dermot Bolger will celebrate the short story form. Francis Spufford and Ferdia Lennon will examine historical fiction with Peter Murphy, and Louise Nealon, Patrick Freyne, and Sarah Maria Griffin will argue for the significance of friendship in narrative. The festival will also reunite Oscar-winning filmmaker Neil Jordan with Pat McCabe, whose novels The Butcher Boy and Breakfast on Pluto were adapted by Jordan into films. The pair will engage in a conversation with film director Alan Gilsenan about storytelling across different mediums. Rosamund Taylor and Andrew Cunning will discuss their debut novels with Neil Hegarty, while Sara Baume and Danielle McLaughlin will join Gemma Tipton to explore their latest works and collaborative processes. Throughout the weekend, attendees can expect a variety of workshops and masterclasses led by participating writers. Festival chair Anne O’Brien expressed pride in the current vitality of Irish writing, noting that the program reflects this enthusiasm. She emphasized the importance of welcoming both local and international audiences to Kilmore Quay, particularly given Ireland’s role in the Council of the EU, which has influenced the inclusion of readings in multiple European languages. Tickets for the festival are available online at writebythesea.ie.