The Leaves Festival of Writing and Music has unveiled its program for this year’s event, scheduled for November 6 to 9 in Laois. Highlights include Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Paul Muldoon, master fiddle player Caoimhín Ó’Raghallaigh, and renowned accordionist Brendan Begley.
This festival, organized by Laois Arts Office and Laois Library Services, aims to showcase the best of Irish writing and music. Marina Rafter curates the festival.
“We guarantee an unforgettable evening of poetry and music,” the organizers stated. “Paul Muldoon, a T.S. Eliot Prize winner and one of the most significant poets of our time, will make his debut on a Laois stage.”
Attendees can expect an extraordinary blend of Muldoon’s evocative verses with the traditional sounds of Ó’Raghallaigh’s fiddle and Begley’s accordion. This unique collaboration will take place at St. Peter’s Church of Ireland, offering a captivating experience of words and music.
The festival will also feature a Reading and Song event with novelist Niall Williams and Mike Hanrahan from Stockton’s Wing. Williams will read from his new novel, The Time of the Child, while Hanrahan will provide soulful vocals and intricate guitar melodies. Set in the fictional town of Faha, Co Clare, the story unfolds during Christmas in 1962 when a baby is discovered after the annual cattle fair. The baby is left in the care of GP Dr. Robert Troy and his daughter Ronnie, changing their lives and their understanding of family and community forever. This event will take place at Abbeyleix’s Preston House.
Former Sunday Times editor Eleanor Mills will join celebrated Irish broadcaster Barbara Scully for an enlightening and entertaining discussion. Mills, who has interviewed many influential figures during her two-decade career at the Sunday Times, now leads NOON, a community supporting women in midlife. She is known for coining the term “Queenager” and aims to positively shift the narrative about older women. Scully, known for her humorous take on the challenges of modern womanhood, will join Mills in conversation about embracing midlife as a time of transformation and opportunity.
Another festival highlight will feature broadcaster Rick O’Shea in conversation with novelists Caoilinn Hughes and Cathy Sweeney. This engaging event will discuss the recent cultural shift that has allowed women writers to dominate contemporary fiction.
The Leaves Festival will also include:
A conversation with award-winning novelist Donal Ryan and Claire O’Brien, presenter of Midland 103’s Arts and Culture show.
Workshops led by children’s authors Eve McDonnell and Sinead O’Hart.
A spoken word poetry event with poet Dagogo Hart and special guests.
A session on Making Mythology with a children’s author.
A film screening of Widow Clicquot, which tells the true story of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, who marries into the Clicquot winemaking family.
The launch of Words Unlaoised, the Laois Writers Group Anthology.
A masterclass with renowned poet and novelist Mary O’Donnell.
Kevin Curran, the Leaves Festival Writer in Residence, will read from his book Youth at various locations across the county, including Portlaoise Prison, Mountmellick Library, and Dunamaise Arts Centre.
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