Book festival promises to be a real page-turner

Despite the recession, booking is brisk for this year’s Ennis Book Club Festival. Book club members and readers from all over the country will head to the town for the March 2-4 festival, which is the only one of its kind in the country.

Despite the recession, booking is brisk for this year’s Ennis Book Club Festival. Book club members and readers from all over the country will head to the town for the March 2-4 festival, which is the only one of its kind in the country.
“We are very aware of the need to price events reasonably and of striking a balance between giving our supporters the best possible value and paying our way. It is a tricky juggling act,” said festival chairperson Ciana Campbell. “However, the indicators at this stage are very positive and we are keeping our fingers crossed that the momentum is sustained,” she said.
Visiting writers this year include Lynne Reid Banks, author of the L-Shaped Room, English novelist Patrick Gale, Maureen Gaffney and Shelia O’Flanagan. The full programme of events, authors and contributors is available on www.ennisbookclubfestival.com.
Popular travel writer and television presenter Manachán Magan will join the Sunday symposium panel on March 4. One of the most successful events at Ennis Book Club Festival, the symposium usually draws a full house at Glór. Manachán will join Catriona Crowe, Christine Dwyer Hickey and Michael Harding to discuss People and Place.
Manchán Magan is a writer, traveller and television maker. He has made over 30 travel documentaries focusing on issues of world culture and globalisation for RTÉ, TG4, the Travel Channel and History Channel. His programmes are shown in 25 territories around the world.
No Béarla, his documentary series about travelling around Ireland speaking only Irish, sparked international debate. He also writes the Magan’s World travel column for the Irish Times.
The nomination of Ennis Book Club Festival for a prestigious award in Scotland has been warmly welcomed by festival supporters and the awards ceremony is eagerly anticipated.
The EDGE 2012 awards, which are designed to reward innovation and creativity in library services, will be announced in Edinburgh on March 1 at a conference organised by Edinburgh City Council. Ennis has been nominated for the social award, which celebrates library engagement with community groups.  The Ennis Book Club Festival is the only Irish entry to be nominated. Frances O’Gorman from Clare County Library will represent Ennis at the awards ceremony.
Festival tickets are still available and booking for all events in all venues is through Glór Box Office on 065 6843103 or email boxoffice@glor.ie.