Athlone poet shortlisted for prestigious award at the Red Line Book Festival

An Athlone poet has been shortlisted an award at the prestigious Red Line Poetry Competition, which attracts hundreds of entries from all across the island of Ireland annually.

James Anthony from Athlone was shortlisted for the award for his poems Schooner and Washer-Up. The Red Line Book Festival is honoured to have award-winning poet Aifric Mac Aodha to judge the competition entries.

Shortlisted poets have been invited to read their poems as part of the festival on Wednesday, October 15, at 6pm at the Poetry Night and Poetry Awards at Castletymon Library where winners will be announced.

The Red Line Book Festival takes place from October 13 – 19 with over 40 literary events in venues across south county Dublin. Poetry is always a popular theme at the festival and this year the festival will conclude with a presentation of some of the finest spoken word artists our country has to offer with the ‘End of The Line: Spoken Word Poetry Celebration’ at The Civic Theatre on Sunday October 19 at 6.30pm.

The ‘End of The Line: Spoken Word Poetry Celebration’ will feature contributions from Aoife Dunne, Abby Oliveira, Jan Brierton, Colm Keegan and Anna D.

Highlights of the festival include a unique celebration of Jane Austen with Bridget Jones creator, Helen Fielding and ‘Longbourn’ author Jo Baker; insights from Booker Prize winning author Paul Lynch and a reflection on Hector Ó hEochagáin’s life, career and passion for the Irish language.

The Red Line Book Festival is an initiative of SDCC Libraries and South Dublin County Council. Held in October each year, the festival celebrates the very best in local, national and international writing. This year the event takes place from October 13 – 19 with over 40 literary events and an eclectic mix of established writers and new voices.

See www.redlinefestival.ie for all events.