Tony Wheeler, co-founder almost 40 years ago of the Lonely Planet guidebooks that have become a ‘must-read’ for millions of travellers, is to visit Lismore, Co Waterford where he’ll be among the speakers at the 10th annual IMMRAMA Festival of Travel Writing which takes place from June 7-10.
With less than 50 days to go, this year’s festival programme was launched by Denis McCarthy, Waterford County Manager, at a reception in the picturesque heritage town last night.
Tony Wheeler originally founded Lonely Planet Publications with his wife Maureen in 1973 to publish Across Asia on the Cheap, a book recalling their six-month, low budget journey overland from London to Sydney. A second book, Southeast Asia on a Shoestring, followed in 1975.
From this modest beginning, Lonely Planet grew to be the largest independent guidebook publisher in the world with more than 500 titles in print and over 500 staff. While the couple sold a majority stake in the business in 2007 to BBC Worldwide, Tony Wheeler remains closely involved and continues to travel extensively. In 2009, he filmed programmes in Laos and Alaska for the Lonely Planet TV series ‘The Roads Less Travelled’ with National Geographic.
Joining the Lonely Planet co-founder in Lismore will be a range of travel writers including returning IMMRAMA guest speaker Jan Morris. The World War II veteran’s writing career began with the Times newspaper. Aged just 26, the then James Morris climbed three quarters of Mount Everest in 1953 to cover the Hillary and Tensing expedition. The resulting scoop won international renown and a distinguished career as a foreign correspondent with both the Times and Guardian newspapers followed.
Morris’ first book As I Saw the U.S.A. was published in the late 1950s after a year spent travelling in the United States. In 1960, The World of Venice captured a year in that city. Morris’ career as a full-time journalist ended in 1961 and more than two dozen highly-regarded books followed, including the Pax Britannica trilogy on the British Empire.
As efforts continue to seek a peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria, one of the few Irish people to have travelled extensively in the country– Mary Russell– is also among the speakers at IMMRAMA. The Dubliner’s My Home is Your Home tells of her experiences in Aleppo, Homs and Hama as well as remote areas of eastern Syria. An overnight desert taxi trip from Damascus to Baghdad also features in the book published late last year.
Among her previous books are The Blessings of a Good Thick Skirt which is about women travellers and explorers through the ages; Journeys of a Lifetime which recalls some of the many places she has visited as well as her reasons for going there and Please don’t call it Soviet Georgia about the then Soviet Republic.
The current intense focus on China as a growing economic power is expected to generate additional interest in the IMMRAMA talk by British travel writer and novelist Colin Thubron. The Mandarin-speaking writer’s first book Mirror to Damascus was published in 1967 with books on Lebanon and Jerusalem to follow over the subsequent two years.
In 1983, Thubron published Among the Russians describing a road trip through western Russia in the Brezhnev era. His 1987 Behind the Wall: A Journey through China won both the Hawthornden Prize and the Thomas Cook Travel Book Award. Later books included The Silk Road: Beyond the Celestial Kingdom; The Lost Heart of Asia; In Siberia and To a Mountain in Tibet which was published in 2011 by Chatto & Windus and focuses on his pilgrimage to Mount Kailas.
A Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature for over 40 years, Mr Thubron has also written novels set in enclosed locations including a prison and a psychiatric hospital. Since 2000, he has received the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s Mungo Park Medal; the Royal Society for Asian Affairs’ Lawrence of Arabia Medal and the Society of Authors’ Travel Award.
Returning to Lismore for this year’s IMMRAMA is Belfast-based Paul Clements. The former BBC journalist is a contributing editor to the Insight and Fodor’s series of guidebooks. He has also written Irish Shores: Journey Round the Rim of Ireland (1993); The Height of Nonsense: The Ultimate Irish Road Trip (2005) and Burren Country (2011) as well as Jan Morris– Around the World in Eighty Years (2006).
A Fellow of Green-Templeton College, Oxford and a member of the National Union of Journalists; the Society of Authors and the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, his writing has also appeared in the Irish Times; Irish Examiner; Observer and Guardian newspapers as well as Radio Times magazine.
Mr Clements’ contributions at the festival will include chairing a June 8 panel discussion on the legacy and influence of Patrick Leigh Fermor on travel writing including an overview of his book In Tearing Haste, which features letters written between Patrick Leigh Fermor and Deborah Devonshire, a former resident of Lismore Castle, which is still owned and lived by the Devonshire family. As well as Tony Wheeler, Jan Morris and Colin Thubron, this session at Lismore’s Courthouse Theatre will feature Artemis Cooper.
Currently writing the biography of Mr Leigh Fermor– a war hero, adventurer and travel writer who died last year aged 96 – Artemis Cooper and her husband Antony Beevor wrote Paris After the Liberation. As well as writing Watching in the Dark which deals with her daughter’s critical illness, she has also edited two collections of letters – A Durable Fire: The Letters of Duff and Diana Cooper and Mr Wu and Mrs Stitch: The Letters of Evelyn Waugh and Diana Cooper. She also co-wrote Words of Mercury with Patrick Leigh Fermor while previous biographies include Writing at the Kitchen Table about food writer Elizabeth David.
British writer and broadcaster Anthony Sattin will also speak at this year’s IMMRAMA. He has spent much of his adult life travelling in the Middle East and North Africa. His work has appeared in the Daily Telegraph; Guardian and Independent newspapers while he has also made several programmes for BBC Radio 4.
Sattin’s books include The Pharaoh’s Shadow (2001); The Gates of Africa (2004) and – most recently - A Winter on the Nile (2010) which tells of the mid-19th century journey in Egypt of Florence Nightingale and Gustave Flaubert.
Also travelling to Lismore to talk about her travels as part of the 10th IMMRAMA is Diana Gleadhill, a former Northern Ireland librarian who became a graphic artist. While living in Co Down, she has explored Kenya, South America, Central Asia and Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. Her first book Kamchatka, A Journal and Guide to Russia’s Land of Ice and Fire was published in 2007 while Our Fiery Hearts – Experiences in Central Asia will be published shortly.
A book edited by Paul Clements and featuring contributions from writers who have spoken at IMMRAMA since 2003 titled ‘The Blue Sky Bends Over All’ will be launched in Lismore during the festival.
This year’s IMMRAMA will open on the evening of June 7 with an event showcasing Waterford journalist and writer Ciaran Murphy’s What Happens on Tour... and NUIG Professor Eoin Bourke'’s Poor Green Erin, a compilation of translated 18th and 19th century travel writing about Ireland by German and Austrian authors. The festival will also feature a presentation by retired County Librarian Donal Brady on ‘Olivia Wilde and the Cockburns of Ardmore’ as well as the presentation of the Molly Keane Memorial Creative Writing Award.
Full details of the schedule and bookings for the IMMRAMA Festival of Travel Writing 2012 are now available online at www.lismoreimmrama.com or by calling (058) 53803.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
Guest Post - Devonshire Day 2012: A Wonderful Mother's Day in Lismore
Yesterday was Mother's Day and it coincided with the 9th Annual Devonshire Day held in Lismore Castle, which is the main fundraiser for the annual Immrama Festival of Travel writing. As this year will be the 10th Immrama Festival it's a very special anniversary - watch this space for updates and programme announcements after the launch on April 19th! I just want to share some of the photos of yesterday with you - and link you to previous posts on Devonshire Day which I've blogged about since 2009 - the first Devonshire Day after I started my personal blog in December 2008. Here's my 2010 and 2011 posts on Devonshire Day.We were blessed with perfect weather yesterday - and we always say St. Carthage our Patron Saint of Lismore is looking down on his own home town with favour. Well, he came from Co. Offaly but we claim him as our own as his name is synonymous with Lismore, whichever one you want - as the Australian Lismore has a St. Carthage's Cathedral also and is our Twin Town, and we have two St. Carthage's - the Church of
Ireland Cathedral and the Catholic Church.The day is a series of five guided walks through the spring gardens of Lismore Castle with the Head Gardener Chris Tull at the helm, and his love and enthusiasm for the gardens shines through all the way - he never flags even after six hours or more, he displays the same humour and passion with the final group as with the first. I should know, as I accompany each group, tasteful in my garish yellow Hi-Viz jacket and carrying my First-Aid kit, just in case anyone decides to take a tumble or keel over - all in the name of "elf'n'safety"! Luckily no-one has need
ed my services thus far, although a few years ago in particularly vile weather some of the punters nearly came a cropper on the slippery slopes of the lower garden where the mud had churned up into a veritable mire.The walks are preceded by the piece de resistance - the Devonshire Cream Tea served by the Butlers of the Duke of Devonshire in the Pugin Room - the Ballroom and former Chapel designed by Pugin, the famous designer of Westminster Houses Of Parliament in London. The tea is served on monogrammed china and with full silver service, and is very posh. As two of our sons worked there for years as butlers when they were students we tend to take it for granted, but it is very other-worldly for the visitors. A taste of how the other half (or more like the 1%) live, if you will. And that's a topic for debate another day!
But I digress - ba
ck to the tea. The punters are treated to a series of talks during their tea - on the history of the Castle, Lismore, the Pugin connection and the Pugin Room in particular, and then Chris talks about the gardens and during the walkabout he is a mine of information on Joseph Paxton who built the Glasshouses and designed the gardens initially, and then the contemporary influences of the Cavendish family who inaugurated a Sculpture Garden throughout the gardens, with many contemporary artists having permanent exhibits. Eilis O'Connell has a number of pieces, and Antony Gormley is probably the best known with his Man out of Water piece - a mould of his own body on a cold day as Chris tells it! I leave you to judge. Gormley's signature piece is the Angel of the North in Newcastle in England, and his body figures are dotting the English coastline at Crosby near Liverpool.
The Castle Arts Gallery will be open throughout the summer along with the gardens and the ticket entry includes both. Each year there's a different exhibition usually with guest curators, and it is always avant garde and of international renown but not to everyone's taste. So if you're expecting art a-la the National Galleries, you might be disappointed! This is also the first year there was no Sotheby's Irish Sale Preview in Lismore Castle Arts, which is missed by me as I loved it. But that's the downside of the recession, and we have to put up with it. I'm sure it cost someone a fortune to tour with those artworks worth millions.
I met a lady who was here last year and she had the most amazing Aran outfit, which she designed and knitted herself - I was gobsmacked by her skill and tenacity - she had a beret, mittens, cowl, bag and calf-length coat - all in fabulous intricate Aran patterns. You can see the photo here as I took some to send her, and I hope she likes them as much as I did seeing them and meeting her. She's called Agnes and she comes from Waterford.
We see a lot of the same faces year after year as people come from all over Ireland to enjoy this special Spring Preview of the gardens and the unique opportunity to be served tea by the Duke's Butlers! So I hope you enjoy the photos and the post which I'll also post on my personal blog at Dispatches from the Deise. It's been great being a Guest Blogger on the Lismore Immrama Blog - thanks for asking me!
PS - If you want to see the full gallery of photos of Devonshire Day then visit the Lismore Immrama Facebook Page and Like it! Here's the link.
PS - If you want to see the full gallery of photos of Devonshire Day then visit the Lismore Immrama Facebook Page and Like it! Here's the link.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Devonshire Day Sunday 18th March 2012
A fundraising event for the Lismore Immrama - Festival Of Travel Writing, Devonshire Day includes a unique preview of the gardens at Lismore Castle, Devonshire Cream Tea in the castle's Pugin Room and a visit to Lismore Heritage Centre .
Call Lismore Heritage Centre on 058-54975 or contact Jan 058-53365/058-53803 for further details.
With kind permission by Lord & Lady Burlington
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Immrama Fundraising event January 20, 2012
Lismore Festival of Travel Writing
TABLE QUIZ
Friday January 20th
Ballyrafter House Hotel
At 8.30 p.m.
€40.00 per table,
All Welcome
Contact 058 53365
TABLE QUIZ
Friday January 20th
Ballyrafter House Hotel
At 8.30 p.m.
€40.00 per table,
All Welcome
Contact 058 53365
Monday, June 13, 2011
Enthralled Crowds Journey with International Travel Writers
Crowds of visitors descended upon the heritage town of Lismore, Co Waterford for The Immrama Festival of Travel Writing' last weekend (9-12 June).
Literary enthusiasts from throughout Ireland and abroad congregated in the town since Thursday evening last (June 9) to enjoy a weekend of literary presentations, workshops, a bloggers clinic and poetry readings with international travel writers including Conor O'Clery, Rolf Potts, Alex von Tunzelmann, Sara Wheeler, Theo Doran, William Blacker and Jasper Winn.
The four-day festival commenced on Thursday evening, June 9 with the launch of four new books by authors Paul Clements, Áine Uí Fhoghlú, Alan Murphy and David Monaghan in Lismore Castle Arts. Friday morning commenced with schools poetry workshops and on Friday evening Theo Dorgan took his audience on a literary sailing voyage, along with polar traveller, Sara Wheeler, who enthralled with her audience with tales of her vast explorations of the northern and southern hemispheres. Travel writer Pól Ó Conghaile ably and expertly chatted with Theo and Sara to provide a wonderful evening's entertainment.
Commenting on the festival, County Manager Ray O'Dwyer said, "Once again the Immrama festival has been a huge success. Lismore Immrama is now a recognised brand worldwide in travel writing circles, with visitors from destinations such as Melbourne, Australia; Vancouver, Canada and Florida in the U.S having traveled to Lismore this week especially for the Festival. It is fantastic to know that County Waterford is making its mark on the world map in this way."
Saturday morning's Bloggers' Clinic, which was a new event on the Immrama calendar, was a huge success and very well received. More than 50 people were treated to some wonderful presentations and discussion about this post modern method of travel writing from the King of Blogging Rolf Potts, travel writer Manchán Magan, couchsurfer Áine Goggins and blogger Darragh Doyle. This was followed by a lively questions and answers session which proved to be an insightful workshop on self publishing in the electronic era.
On Saturday afternoon keynote speaker Conor O'Clery spoke movingly on his reporting from the world's conflict zones and the phenomenon of the 'conflict hotel.' He vividly described some of his experiences detailing the camaraderie of journalists working within countries in turmoil. On Saturday evening at the Blackwater Community School, Blogger, Author and Travel Writer Rolf Potts gave his insights into the whole travel writing genre, vividly brought to life by his own travel experiences and travel historian Alex von Tunzelmann enthralled her audience with details of the 'real' story behind the Cuban Missile Crisis and the fall of the British Empire in India.
The Immrama Festival Committee are deeply indebted to traveler and author Jasper Winn, who stepped in at the last moment to give a wonderful 'Literary Breakfast' presentation on Sunday morning at Ballyrafter House Hotel. Due to unforeseen circumstances programmed author Anthony Sattin was unable to make it and Jasper kindly agreed to speak of his own travels and experiences in various countries around the world, including some fascinating tales of his kayaking trip around Ireland, which is detailed in his new book, "Paddle: A Long Way Around Ireland."
The rain held off on Sunday afternoon to allow large crowds enjoy a lovely afternoon's free family fun entertainment in the Millennium Park, including wonderful music by Loudest Whisper and events including stilt-walking, face painting, dancing and a magician. The tempting food aromas courtesy of the Lismore Farmers Market drew many to the food producer stalls on Lismore Castle Avenue.
The festival closed on Sunday evening with a wonderful literary presentation by acclaimed travel writer William Blacker. The theme of the 2011 festival was taken from William's book Along the Enchanted Way, which is an account of the years he spent in northern Romania, living a life that has hardly changed since the Middle Ages, having discovered the 200-odd Saxon villages of Transylvania, with their fortified churches that have not been touched since they were built between the 14th and 16th centuries. William captivated the large audience with his vivid descriptions of life in the rural mountains, superbly illustrated by a slide presentation of his photos from Romania.
This is the ninth Immrama Festival of Travel Writers' and the Immrama Organising Committee would like to thank all of those who made this year's festival possible, particularly those who attended the various events throughout the weekend. At the end of a magnificent weekend of literary events, audiences were left wondering what the 2012 festival would have in store for them.
Literary enthusiasts from throughout Ireland and abroad congregated in the town since Thursday evening last (June 9) to enjoy a weekend of literary presentations, workshops, a bloggers clinic and poetry readings with international travel writers including Conor O'Clery, Rolf Potts, Alex von Tunzelmann, Sara Wheeler, Theo Doran, William Blacker and Jasper Winn.
The four-day festival commenced on Thursday evening, June 9 with the launch of four new books by authors Paul Clements, Áine Uí Fhoghlú, Alan Murphy and David Monaghan in Lismore Castle Arts. Friday morning commenced with schools poetry workshops and on Friday evening Theo Dorgan took his audience on a literary sailing voyage, along with polar traveller, Sara Wheeler, who enthralled with her audience with tales of her vast explorations of the northern and southern hemispheres. Travel writer Pól Ó Conghaile ably and expertly chatted with Theo and Sara to provide a wonderful evening's entertainment.
Commenting on the festival, County Manager Ray O'Dwyer said, "Once again the Immrama festival has been a huge success. Lismore Immrama is now a recognised brand worldwide in travel writing circles, with visitors from destinations such as Melbourne, Australia; Vancouver, Canada and Florida in the U.S having traveled to Lismore this week especially for the Festival. It is fantastic to know that County Waterford is making its mark on the world map in this way."
Saturday morning's Bloggers' Clinic, which was a new event on the Immrama calendar, was a huge success and very well received. More than 50 people were treated to some wonderful presentations and discussion about this post modern method of travel writing from the King of Blogging Rolf Potts, travel writer Manchán Magan, couchsurfer Áine Goggins and blogger Darragh Doyle. This was followed by a lively questions and answers session which proved to be an insightful workshop on self publishing in the electronic era.
On Saturday afternoon keynote speaker Conor O'Clery spoke movingly on his reporting from the world's conflict zones and the phenomenon of the 'conflict hotel.' He vividly described some of his experiences detailing the camaraderie of journalists working within countries in turmoil. On Saturday evening at the Blackwater Community School, Blogger, Author and Travel Writer Rolf Potts gave his insights into the whole travel writing genre, vividly brought to life by his own travel experiences and travel historian Alex von Tunzelmann enthralled her audience with details of the 'real' story behind the Cuban Missile Crisis and the fall of the British Empire in India.
The Immrama Festival Committee are deeply indebted to traveler and author Jasper Winn, who stepped in at the last moment to give a wonderful 'Literary Breakfast' presentation on Sunday morning at Ballyrafter House Hotel. Due to unforeseen circumstances programmed author Anthony Sattin was unable to make it and Jasper kindly agreed to speak of his own travels and experiences in various countries around the world, including some fascinating tales of his kayaking trip around Ireland, which is detailed in his new book, "Paddle: A Long Way Around Ireland."
The rain held off on Sunday afternoon to allow large crowds enjoy a lovely afternoon's free family fun entertainment in the Millennium Park, including wonderful music by Loudest Whisper and events including stilt-walking, face painting, dancing and a magician. The tempting food aromas courtesy of the Lismore Farmers Market drew many to the food producer stalls on Lismore Castle Avenue.
The festival closed on Sunday evening with a wonderful literary presentation by acclaimed travel writer William Blacker. The theme of the 2011 festival was taken from William's book Along the Enchanted Way, which is an account of the years he spent in northern Romania, living a life that has hardly changed since the Middle Ages, having discovered the 200-odd Saxon villages of Transylvania, with their fortified churches that have not been touched since they were built between the 14th and 16th centuries. William captivated the large audience with his vivid descriptions of life in the rural mountains, superbly illustrated by a slide presentation of his photos from Romania.
This is the ninth Immrama Festival of Travel Writers' and the Immrama Organising Committee would like to thank all of those who made this year's festival possible, particularly those who attended the various events throughout the weekend. At the end of a magnificent weekend of literary events, audiences were left wondering what the 2012 festival would have in store for them.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Conor O'Clery Interview On Pat Kenny
Download: Conor O'Clery Interview [mp3 format]
World Famous Explorers Come To Lismore
The countdown is on to the ninth Lismore Immrama Festival of Travel Writing as the town and festival organisers are looking forward to welcoming an extraordinary gathering of internationally renowned travel writers who will enthral audiences at venues throughout the town from today Thursday, June 9 to 12.
The heritage town will be abuzz with talk of travel as the festival keynote speaker twice winning 'Journalist of the Year' and award winning author Conor O'Clery will present at 3pm on Saturday, June 11. During his time as Foreign Correspondent for the Irish Times from the Troubles in the north in the 1970's, to the Twin Towers attacks in 2001, Conor has observed and explained the key events of the last 40 years with his trademark humour and compassion.
Blogger and award-winning author Rolf Potts will reveal some of his travel secrets including how to travel with no luggage! Rolf has reported from more than sixty countries for the likes of National Geographic Traveller, the New York Times Magazine and Conde Nast Traveler. Rolf will present alongside International travel writer and author Alex Von Tunzelman. Alex von Tunzelmann's latest book Red Heat was published in April to critical acclaim; it is a history of the Cold War in the Caribbean, focused around the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Castros and the Kennedys. This presentation will talk place at 8pm on Saturday, June 11.
Sara Wheeler is not your stereotypical polar explorer and world traveller will host an audience with sailor and poet Theo Dorgan on Friday June 10 at 8pm.
Writer and broadcaster Anthony Sattin has spent much of his life travelling in, and writing about, the Middle East and North Africa, He will talk of his travels and adventures at a Literary Breakfast in Ballyrafter House Hotel at 8.30am on the last day of the Lismore Immrama Festival, Sunday June 12.
Author of the title which inspired the 2011 Immrama Festival theme 'Along The Enchanted Way', William Blacker will close the festival on Sunday, June 12 at 7pm at Lismore House Hotel, where he will explore the festival theme 'Along the Enchanted Way… Travellers Past and Present'
The main guest speaker events at this year's Immrama are just one element of a wider programme of events, with something for all ages and interests. Blogfest! A Bloggers Clinic with Rolf Potts, Manchán Magan, Aine Goggins and Darragh Doyle will celebrate and discuss blogging and social media and their impact on writing, and will offer budding writers and bloggers an opportunity to develop their writing along with their social media savvy.
Festival goers young and old will have the opportunity to journey 'Along the Enchanted Way' with Travellers Past and Present' for the weekend. The wealth of local writing talent will be celebrated at the festival opening on Thursday, June 9, with author readings and the launch of new publications by writers Paul Clements, Áine Uí Fhoghlú , Alan Murphy and David Monagan at Lismore Castle Arts. The inaugural Dervla Murphy Teenage Travel Writing Award (in association with Waterford County Library Service), will be presented to the winner by Manchán Magan at 10am on Saturday morning in Lismore House Hotel.
Saturday, June 11 sees The Molly Keane Writers Award take place at 2pm in Lismore Branch Library and on Sunday, June 12, at noon former County Librarian and Historian Donald Brady will host a free presentation at The Courthouse Theatre on William Deane-Tanner of Belleville Park, Cappoquin alias William Desmond Taylor: Hollywood Actor, Renowned Silent-Film Director and Murder Victim. Eamon Maxwell, of Lismore Castle Arts will give a talk at 2pm on Sunday June 12on the Artist as Traveller, exploring how visual artists use the journey in their work.
Enjoy a Free Family Fun Sunday at the town's Millennium Park with Wobbly Circus and live music by Loudest Whisper- events include stilt-walking, face painting, music, dance and storytelling; or Canoe along the River Blackwater in the company of Jasper Winn, author of Paddle: A Long Way around Ireland. A Gregorian Mass will take place at St Carthage's Catholic Church, and a Farmers Market will commence at 10am at Lismore Castle Avenue.
The Immrama Festival of Travel Writing will be held in Lismore from June 9 to 12, 2011 and is generously supported by Fáilte Ireland, Waterford County Council, Eason Dungarvan, Waterford Airport and the Arts Council. Tickets and further information can be found on www.lismoreimmrama.com or by contacting 058 53803.
The heritage town will be abuzz with talk of travel as the festival keynote speaker twice winning 'Journalist of the Year' and award winning author Conor O'Clery will present at 3pm on Saturday, June 11. During his time as Foreign Correspondent for the Irish Times from the Troubles in the north in the 1970's, to the Twin Towers attacks in 2001, Conor has observed and explained the key events of the last 40 years with his trademark humour and compassion.
Blogger and award-winning author Rolf Potts will reveal some of his travel secrets including how to travel with no luggage! Rolf has reported from more than sixty countries for the likes of National Geographic Traveller, the New York Times Magazine and Conde Nast Traveler. Rolf will present alongside International travel writer and author Alex Von Tunzelman. Alex von Tunzelmann's latest book Red Heat was published in April to critical acclaim; it is a history of the Cold War in the Caribbean, focused around the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Castros and the Kennedys. This presentation will talk place at 8pm on Saturday, June 11.
Sara Wheeler is not your stereotypical polar explorer and world traveller will host an audience with sailor and poet Theo Dorgan on Friday June 10 at 8pm.
Writer and broadcaster Anthony Sattin has spent much of his life travelling in, and writing about, the Middle East and North Africa, He will talk of his travels and adventures at a Literary Breakfast in Ballyrafter House Hotel at 8.30am on the last day of the Lismore Immrama Festival, Sunday June 12.
Author of the title which inspired the 2011 Immrama Festival theme 'Along The Enchanted Way', William Blacker will close the festival on Sunday, June 12 at 7pm at Lismore House Hotel, where he will explore the festival theme 'Along the Enchanted Way… Travellers Past and Present'
The main guest speaker events at this year's Immrama are just one element of a wider programme of events, with something for all ages and interests. Blogfest! A Bloggers Clinic with Rolf Potts, Manchán Magan, Aine Goggins and Darragh Doyle will celebrate and discuss blogging and social media and their impact on writing, and will offer budding writers and bloggers an opportunity to develop their writing along with their social media savvy.
Festival goers young and old will have the opportunity to journey 'Along the Enchanted Way' with Travellers Past and Present' for the weekend. The wealth of local writing talent will be celebrated at the festival opening on Thursday, June 9, with author readings and the launch of new publications by writers Paul Clements, Áine Uí Fhoghlú , Alan Murphy and David Monagan at Lismore Castle Arts. The inaugural Dervla Murphy Teenage Travel Writing Award (in association with Waterford County Library Service), will be presented to the winner by Manchán Magan at 10am on Saturday morning in Lismore House Hotel.
Saturday, June 11 sees The Molly Keane Writers Award take place at 2pm in Lismore Branch Library and on Sunday, June 12, at noon former County Librarian and Historian Donald Brady will host a free presentation at The Courthouse Theatre on William Deane-Tanner of Belleville Park, Cappoquin alias William Desmond Taylor: Hollywood Actor, Renowned Silent-Film Director and Murder Victim. Eamon Maxwell, of Lismore Castle Arts will give a talk at 2pm on Sunday June 12on the Artist as Traveller, exploring how visual artists use the journey in their work.
Enjoy a Free Family Fun Sunday at the town's Millennium Park with Wobbly Circus and live music by Loudest Whisper- events include stilt-walking, face painting, music, dance and storytelling; or Canoe along the River Blackwater in the company of Jasper Winn, author of Paddle: A Long Way around Ireland. A Gregorian Mass will take place at St Carthage's Catholic Church, and a Farmers Market will commence at 10am at Lismore Castle Avenue.
The Immrama Festival of Travel Writing will be held in Lismore from June 9 to 12, 2011 and is generously supported by Fáilte Ireland, Waterford County Council, Eason Dungarvan, Waterford Airport and the Arts Council. Tickets and further information can be found on www.lismoreimmrama.com or by contacting 058 53803.
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