2010 is a remarkably exciting year for Cúirt as it turns twenty five. From its genesis as a festival dedicated to poetry, to the present day, it has always placed the writer and the reader at its core. Among the many names who will visit Galway to celebrate this special anniversary year are Joyce Carol Oates, Roddy Doyle, Ian Rankin, Claire Keegan, Robin Robertson, Richard Bausch, Josh Ritter, Richard Hawley, Tom Kilroy, Joseph O’Connor and Paula Meehan.
This 25th edition of Cúirt will cast a look back at the past with an evocative exhibition of recordings and images from the festival’s rich history. At this year’s festival, Colum McCann will give his first reading in Ireland since his National Book Award win for Let the Great World Spin.
Cúirt’s new associations with The New Yorker and Granta will see several irresistible voices in short fiction and memoir visit Galway to read from, and discuss their work.
In poetry, many renowned international voices will read from their work including Naomi Shihab Nye and Dionne Brand. Irish poets will be present in abundance, as 40 remarkable years of poetry publisher Gallery Press is celebrated with readings by a host of acclaimed Irish poets and playwrights. RTÉ Radio 1 will be present in force at the festival when Sunday Miscellany records a programme from the festival and Drivetime presents a special event at Druid featuring its acclaimed diarists performing some memorable diary pieces.
Alongside readings in poetry and prose, the packed programme features a wide range of launches, exhibitions, readings for younger people and special events in theatre and film, making a visit to Galway an irresistible prospect in late April.
Last year Jane Hirshfield described the festival as ‘a banquet of writing’. There is much to celebrate at this year’s banquet – visit Galway in April and celebrate Cúirt and the written word.
To receive the full programme of events and for further information:
E mail info@cuirt.ie http://www.cuirt.ie/ Tel +353 91 565 886
Booking opens from March 23rd on www.tht.ie Tel 091 569 777
For press enquiries, please contact Gwen O’Sullivan:
E-mail gwencommunications@gmail.com or Tel 087 6601592