Words By Water Kinsale Literary Festival

Like so many others, the team behind Words By Water, Kinsale’s Literary Festival, have sorely missed in-person events as we all stood firm and tackled Covid-19 by staying apart. Now that it will soon be once again possible to meet and share communal experiences, we are delighted to announce plans for a very special evening in Kinsale in early October.
When the pandemic first reached Ireland, and we adjusted to living very different lives for as long as necessary, one poem in particular brought comfort to many during the initial lockdown, reminding us that ‘the sun rises in spite of everything’.
‘Everything is going to be All Right’ by the wonderful Derek Mahon was widely shared during those dark and sometimes scary months.
Derek passed away in October and was rightly lauded as  ‘one of the great poets of his native Ireland and of the English-speaking world’.
Now finally, one year on from his sad passing, we have the opportunity to mourn his loss and celebrate his great talent in the town he called home for so many years.
A celebration of Derek Mahon will take place in the Trident Hotel on Friday October 1st.
The evening of poetry and song will feature John Spillane, David Peare, Alannah Hopkin, Matthew Geden, Gerry Wrixon  Katherine Boucher Beug and Joachim Beug.
Speakers will read selected favourite poems and John Spillane will share a new song, inspired by Derek’s poetry, with the audience on the night.  This will be followed by a John Spillane concert. This will be a ticketed event with a full bar and pop-up book shop. Tickets can be booked online at wordsbywater.ie or by calling 086 2895 075