Launch Of Immrama Lismore Festival of Travel Writing Programme 2011

International Travel Writers to converge on Immrama Lismore Festival of Travel Writing 2011

A fine literary programme for the ninth annual Immrama Lismore Festival of Travel Writers was launched at Lismore Castle on Tuesday, April 19. Award-winning travel writers including Conor O'Clery, Rolf Potts, Alex Von Tunzelmann, Anthony Sattin, William Blacker, Theo Dorgan, Sara Wheeler and more have been lined up to speak at the Immrama Festival in Lismore, Co Waterford from June 9 to 12.

'Along the Enchanted Way...Travellers Past and Present' is the theme of Immrama 2011 and this festival will explore travellers and writing through the ages up to the 21st century. Keynote presentations will be given by award winning writer Conor O'Clery at 3pm on Saturday, June 11, and Rolf Potts and Alex Von Tunzelmann at 8pm on Saturday June 11. Other main presentations include Sara Wheeler in conversation with Pól Ó Conghaile, poet and sailor Theo Dorgan, and a closing presentation from William Blacker, whose publication 'Along the Enchanted Way' was praised by no less than Patrick Leigh Fermor upon publication in 2009. The annual literary breakfast, at 8.30am on Sunday June 12, will be hosted by Egyptologist and acclaimed author Anthony Sattin.

The Saturday June 11 3pm keynote presentation will see author and former Irish Times journalist Conor O'Clery speak about his experiences as a foreign correspondent. Conor's newest book is Moscow, December 25, 1991/The Last Day of the Soviet Union. The writer worked for over 30 years in various positions with the Irish Times, including stints as a staff correspondent based in London, Moscow, Washington DC, Beijing and New York City.

Conor has won several awards, including "Journalist of the Year" twice - first for his reporting from the Soviet Union, and, later, for his reporting of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, which he witnessed from his office three blocks away.

Later on June 11, the Saturday evening session will feature Rolf Potts and Alex Von Tunzelmann.

Rolf Potts has reported from more than sixty countries for the likes of National Geographic Traveler, the New York Times Magazine and Conde Nast Traveler. A veteran travel columnist, his adventures have taken him across six continents, and include piloting a fishing boat 900 miles down the Laotian Mekong, hitchhiking across Eastern Europe, traversing Israel on foot and cycling across Burma. The San Francisco Chronicle describes Potts as "one of the best travel writers to emerge in the last decade. Intrepid and thoughtful, he's a Paul Theroux for the backpacker generation."

International travel writer and author Alex Von Tunzelman writes an online weekly film column, Reel History, for The Guardian and writes travel pieces for Lonely Planet magazine and contributes to Daily Beast. Her first book 'Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire' was published worldwide in summer 2007 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of independence from Britain in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Her widely anticipated second book, Red Heat, has just been published to critical acclaim, and she has written for Sunday Times magazine; New York Times; Los Angeles Times; Daily Telegraph and Conde Nast Traveler.

Early-risers on Sunday, June 12 can enjoy a literary breakfast with Anthony Sattin, journalist, broadcaster and author. On that evening, the festival will draw to a close with a presentation by writer and adventurer William Blacker.

Launching the 2011 programme at a function held in the Pugin Room at Lismore Castle, Ray O'Dwyer, Co Manager, said: "It is my great pleasure to launch the ninth programme for the Lismore Immrama Festival of Travel Writing. The organisers have again excelled in bringing together a programme featuring a variety of Irish and international travel writers. The festival which dovetails perfectly with Lismore has grown steadily over the last nine years and is truly unique in its focus on travel writing and literature, attracts a wide audience from the region and further afield. Guest speakers get the opportunity to enjoy the informal charm of Lismore and absorb its unrivalled historic character."

A brand new addition to the programme is a 'Blogger's Forum' facilitated by Manchán Magan with special guests Rolf Potts, Áine Goggins of the TG4 Couchsurfing programme CÓ Tholg go Tolg", and Darragh Doyle of boards.ie.

In addition to the literary presentations the 2011 festival programme is packed with a variety of fringe events, including an International visual arts exhibition at Lismore Castle Arts, exhibition and events at Lismore Library, a kayaking event with Jasper Winn (author of Paddle - A Long Way Around Ireland) with Blackwater Boats, Festival Bookshop hosted by Eason Dungarvan, creative writing workshops, book readings and more.

The phenomenon of a little town in County Waterford that manages to attract the world's greatest travel writers made quite an impression on international Travel Writer and contributor to National Geographic Michael Shapiro last year.  Michael's awe of the festival was captured in conversation with Arthur and Pauline Frommer, publishers of Frommer's Travel Guides, the world's largest selling series of travel guides and hosts of The Travel Show on WOR, a major New York radio station. Commenting on the New York radio show Michael Shapiro said, "The town of Lismore attracts some of the best travel writers in the world, it is a four day celebration of travel writing and it's a festival that loves books."

The Immrama Festival of Travel Writing will be held in Lismore from June 9 to 12, 2011 and is generously supported by Failte Ireland, Waterford County Council, Eason Dungarvan and Waterford Airport, the Arts Council. Tickets and further information can be found on www.lismoreimmrama.com or by contacting 058 54975.

Perceptive Travel Article On Immrama 2010

Michael Shapiro attended the Immrama Festival in 2010. In an article for Perceptive Travel he catches up with the interview of Dervla Murphy he missed long ago and rubs shoulders with writers and local characters.

The complete article can be read at http://www.perceptivetravel.com/issues/0411/ireland.html

Lismore Immrama Featured On Arthur Frommers Travel Show

 Link: Listen To The Interview

In an interview with with Arthur and Pauline Frommer, publishers of Frommer's Travel Guides, Michael Shapiro describes his visit to the Immrama Festival of Travel Writing, Lismore in June 2010.

Michael Shapiro is a freelance writer, editor and photographer, a contributor to National Geographic Traveler, the San Francisco Chronicle and Washington Post and the author of A Sense of Place: Great Travel Writers Talk About Their Craft, Lives and Inspiration
and Guatemala: A Journey Through the Land of the Maya.

Arthur Frommer (born 1929) is a travel writer, publisher and consumer advocate, and the founder of the Frommer's series of travel guides and Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel magazine. He has published many books for budget-conscious travelers and has been one of America's foremost budget travel authorities since the 1950s. Frommer's seminal book, Europe on 5 Dollars a Day, changed the way Americans traveled, and foreshadowed such later budget-conscious guidebooks as Lonely Planet and Rick Steves.

Show Website: The Travel Show With Arthur Frommer

“Travels- Exploration and Endurance”

Recounting and sharing their experiences with the audience on Saturday June 12th are:

Sir Ranulph Fiennes at 3.00 p.m.

Tim Severine at 8.00 p.m.

Saturday Special Tickets available at €40.00, individual tickets available at €25.00 each.

Immrama programme 2010

Main Literary Programme 2010

Theme “Travels- Exploration and Endurance”

Date Literary Event Date Literary Event

10th June 8.00 p.m. – 10.00 p.m.
Documentary on Lismore Travel Writer
‘Who is Dervla Murphy?’
(By Invite Only)


11th June Morning sessions
Poetry workshops
Áine Uí Fhoghlú, Poet.
(Confined primary schools only)


8.00 p.m. – 10.00 p.m.
Pico Iyer
British-born Travel Writer
Venue: Courthouse Theatre
Tickets €15.00

12th June Children’s Poetry Readings
Alan Murphy and Pippa Sweeney
Venue and time to be confirmed

11.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m.
Presentation on “The Boyle Women”
Donald Brady
Venue: Courthouse Theatre
free

10.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.
Creative Writing Workshop Part 1
“Writing A Travel Memoir”
Paul Clements
Tickets Part 1 and 2 Total €75.00
Venue: To be confirmed

1.00 – 2.00 p.m.
Lunchtime with......
Agus Rud Eile De/And Another Thing
Louis de Paor and Ronan Browne
Venue: Lismore House Hotel
Free admission

2.00 p.m. –3.00 p.m.
Open Mic Poetry Session
New and Emerging Poets read and discuss their works in an open forum
Venue: Lismore House Hotel
Free


2.00 p.m. – 2.45 p.m..
Presentation of Molly Keane Creative Writing Award.
Venue: Public Library
Free

3.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes
Award winning Author and Explorer
Venue: Blackwater Community School
Tickets: € 25.00

8.00 p.m. – 10.00 p.m.
Tim Severin
Award winning Author and Explorer
Venue: Blackwater Community School
Tickets: € 25.00

13th June 8.30 a.m. – 10.30 a.m.
Literary Breakfast with.......
Damien Lewis
Travel Writer, Journalist and Film maker
Venue: Ballyrafter House Hotel
Tickets €25.00

11.00 a.m.
Gregorian Mass
Venue: St. Carthage’s Catholic Church

12.00 p.m. - 2.00 p.m.
Creative Writing Workshop Part 2
“Writing A Travel Memoir”
Paul Clements
Venue: To be confirmed

2.00 p.m. 5.00 p.m.
Afternoon in Millennium Park
Children’s Fun Events with Bui Bolg
Music by Carouse
Free

6.30 p.m. – 8.30 p.m.
An evening with......
Jan Morris
Venue: Fort William House, Glencairn
Tickets €25.00



Programme subject to change

Saturday Special ticket Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Tim Severin €40.00. (Saving €10.00)

Bookings and Tickets at 058 53365 or 058 54975

Website: www.lismoreimmrama.com


Fringe events.

Please note that these events although taking place during the festival weekend are not organised by Immrama and are not included in any ticket arrangements. (More events may be organised)

Weekend

Open Gardens

Ballyin Gardens
Ballyduff Road
Lismore

Tourin House and Gardens
Cappoquin

Lismore Castle Gardens
Lismore

Sunday June 13th
Lismore Farmers Market Extravaganza
Castle Avenue
Lismore

Devonshire Day Thank You

A big thank you to all of you who came to the Devonshire Day fundraiser for the Immrama Festival on March 14th, 2010.



Once again the weather was great although on the cool side, this was the 7th Devonshire Day and we yet have to get a really bad day weatherwise. St. Carthage is indeed looking after us well.



The cold winter leading up to the 14th of March resulted in very few flowers in the gardens, however the history alone of the castle and the garden is facinating and once again Chris Tull, Head gardener, had a very busy day as a guide.



The tea and cream was served in the Pugin room by the Duke's butlers, Michael, Leonard, Patrick, Simon and David who did a tremendous job of having everything ready on time for every group. They were ably assisted in the kitchen by Theresa and Esther.



Immrama committee members tried to guide all to the relevant parking spaces (difficult as parking spaces run out),ticket gate and Pugin room, while the Immrama Chairman, Bernard Leddy and Immrama President, Peter Dowd provided some historical information on the area and the 6th Duke during the tea and cream. Catherine provided a silent presence with her medic kit, just in case. She was not called upon.



The staff of the Heritage Centre were very helpful in the days leading up to the Devonshire Day assisting with the booking of tickets and were kept very busy on the day with the showing of the awardwinning audio-visual presentation on the History of Lismore, while Mealla made sure all who went through the gates had a ticket. Thank you all very much.



We had just over 300 visitors on the day and unfortunately, as in other years, we had to disapoint many people in the afternoon as the 3.00 pm and 4.10 pm tours had totally sold out.

Celebrate Mothers Day at Lismore Castle

Why not treat your Mother to afternoon tea at Lismore Castle on Mother’s Day Sunday 14th March 2010. Part of the visit also includes a tour of the castle’s Spring Gardens.
Afternoon tea will be served in the Pugin Room by the Duke of Devonshire’s Butler, (an opportunity not normally available to visitors). Following tea guests will have the unique occasion to pre-view of Lismore Castle Spring Gardens. The tour of the gardens will be given by Mr. Chris Tull, Head Gardener.
The Lower Garden was formerly known as the Pleasure Grounds and is spectacular in the Spring Time.

A number of camellia, rhododendrons and some particularly magnificent magnolias can be found here. There has been extensive planting over the last number of years and the gardens are being constantly refined and improved. The walls surrounding the garden date from the early 18th century and have been planted with roses such as Francis E, Lester, Bobbie James, Rambling Rector to name but a few. The Lower Garden also boasts some spectacular sculptures by well-known artists Eilis O’Connell, Anthony Gormley and Marzia Colonna.
The Upper Garden is one of the few Jacobean gardens to survive in anything like its original form. The first Earl of Cork helped by his gardener John built a high surrounding wall and a raised terrace terminated at either end by turrets. The Central Walk, which is between the herbaceous borders, is backed by yew hedges and was laid in dramatic alignment on the Pain spire of the Anglican Cathedral. The hedges provide a suitable background for the herbaceous borders as one walks towards the top terrace. Located here are some artistic works by Bridget McCrum, Simon Thomas, Emily Young and Edwin Whitney Smith.
A complimentary visit to the recently refurbished exhibition galleries at Lismore Heritage Centre and an opportunity to see the Award-winning Film ‘The Lismore Experience’ is included in the price.
The Immrama Travel Writing Festival Committee is hosting this event and proceeds will help fund the 2010 festival programme.
Tickets are available from Lismore Heritage Centre and cost €20.00. For further enquiries contact on (058) 53365 or (058) 54975.