28th Annual Goldsmith International Literary Festival launched

The 28th Goldsmith International Literary Festival was launched last Friday evening in the beautiful venue of the Goldsmith Room in the newly renovated Ballymahon Library. The festival, which is the third longest running festival of its type, will take place as usual over the June Bank Holiday. Founded to celebrate the literary genius of Oliver Goldsmith and to promote Goldsmith Country as tourist attraction, it has over the years explored many aspects of Goldsmith's life, society, and writings. A huge variety of renowned critics, politicians, poets, commentators and academics have stimulated audiences over that time. This year's theme is 'Citizens of the World - What can my country do for me?' In a time when many feel we have lost control of our destiny this years event seeks to explore the nature of active citizenship. Are we as citizens powerless in the face of supernational bodies such as the IMF and ECB? Or have we abandoned our own rights and responsibilities as citizens in the face of selfish private desires. This year's festival will attempt to explore these issues with an array of varied and interesting speakers. On Friday June 1, under the chairmanship of Festival PRO Arthur Conlon, the official opening will be performed by newly elected President of the GAA, Liam O'Neill. This will be followed by a symposium on the theme with the first speaker being Elaine Byrne, recent author of the book 'A Crooked Harp - A history of political corruption in Ireland'. Elaine will be followed by former chairman of ISME and regular contributor to radio and television, Eilis Quinlan. The final speaker will be Cormac Lucey, a regular columnist with the Daily Mail. This will be followed by a panel discussion and finally musical entertainment. Saturday's events commence with the Goldsmith Literary Tour. Beginning in Ballymahon at 11am, the tour will visit many of the famous sites associated with Goldsmith including Pallas, Forgney, the Three Jolly Pigeons, the Busy Mill, the Parsonage and Kilkenny West and will include readings from Goldsmith's works. Then in Ballymahon Library the festival continues with two accomplished and well known speakers. Chaired by Larry McCluskey, the first speaker will be Prof. Peter Denman from Maynooth who will speak on 'Mad Dogs and Englishmen - Goldsmith's Verse'. Then well known actor, producer and raconteur Seamus O'Rourke from Carrigallen will present in his own inimitable way, 'Observations from a rural life'. Finally Saturday's events will be rounded off with the Goldsmith Barbecue an evening of musical entertainment in the famous 'Three Jolly Pigeons' pub in Tang, near Athlone. The Festival culminates on Sunday, June 3, with a brand new event for 2012. Following the appearance of Sunday Miscellany Producer Cliodhna Ni Anluain at last years festival this year the committee is presenting Goldsmith Miscellany. Featuring a large number of short talks interspersed with music and poetry this innovative promises to be a highlight of this years festival. The final event for 2012 take place as usual at Goldsmith's birthplace, Pallas, with the results of the children's and adults' poetry competitions organised under the aegis of the festival and adjudicated upon by poet Noel Monahan. From Cavan he has published five collections of poetry and has won many awards. Chaired by Anne Tully of the Festival Committee, the poetry competitions have received an extremely high quality entry from all over Ireland while the children's poetry competition will once again feature poetry from the children of primary and post primary schools in Longford and Westmeath. The poetry reading at Pallas will be given by the acclaimed poet Heather Brett. The Goldsmith International Literary Festival has a very full and exciting programme of events and the hard working committee are looking forward to big attendances and a great weekend. For more info go to goldsmithfestival.ie