Goldsmith Festival to take place this weekend
Economic progress and subsequent social inequality will be explored at the 41st annual Goldsmith Literary Festival.
Distinguished economist, Trinity College academic, and former director of the Economic and Social Research Institute Professor Frances Ruane is this year’s keynote speaker.
Independent senator and former attorney general for Ireland Michael McDowell, award-winning poet Noel Monahan, and journalist with the Irish Times Frank McNally are also among the speakers who will attend the festival from May 30 to June 1, in south Longford and south Westmeath.
The theme of this year’s festival is: “Where Wealth Accumulates and Men Decay” - Must Economic progress mean Social Inequality?
The festival will consist of a packed schedule including musical performances, a tour of ‘Goldsmith Country’ and poetry readings. The action will commence at The Rustic Inn, on Friday evening May 30, where the festival will be officially opened by Senator Michael McDowell at 8pm.
Proceedings will commence at 9.30am on Saturday morning with the Literary Tour of ‘Goldsmith Country’. Another key event is the energetic ‘Goldsmith Live’ session which kicks off in Skelly’s Courtyard, Ballymahon from 2.30pm this will see a new play about Goldsmith’s life written and performed by acclaimed actor Michael J Ford.
The festival will draw to a close at Goldsmith’s birthplace of Pallas, Abbeyshrule with poetry readings beginning at 3.30pm, the poetry recitals will be delivered from the winners of the Goldsmith Poetry competitions, adjudicated by poets Noel Monahan and Mary Melvin Geoghegan.
Ahead of the Goldsmith Festival, Chairman Arthur Conlon said: “After the excitement of our 40th Anniversary Festival last year, in 2025 we are continuing to build on the recent innovations to our festival, all with the aim of offering something for everyone over the course of the weekend.
“This year we are offering a programme including speakers of the highest quality, who will inform, provoke, question and above all entertain.”
For more information on the Goldsmith Festival 2025 programme and how to register for tickets please visit: www.olivergoldsmithfestival.com.