Award winning poet Annemarie Ní Churreáin to open third Frances Browne Literary Festival

The third Frances Browne Literary Festival is just weeks away and will launch this year from Letterkenny. Celebrated Irish poet Annemarie Ní Churreáin, guest editor of the current summer edition of Poetry Ireland Review, will deliver the keynote address on Thursday 12th October in An Grianán Theatre. "I've long been interested in Frances Browne. It is a special honour to celebrate the achievements of a fellow Donegal woman,” she said.

Born in the Donegal Gaeltacht, Annemarie Ní Churreáin’s books include Bloodroot (Doire Press, 2017), Town (The Salvage Press. 2018) and The Poison Glen (The Gallery Press, 2021). She is the 2022-23 Decades of Centenaries Artist in Residence with Donegal County Museum and Archives Service and her new collection will be launched on Friday 13th in Kee’s Hotel.

Cllr Martin Harley, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council congratulated the Frances Browne Literary Festival committee on the third year of the festival.

“Donegal County Council is proud to be the main sponsor of the festival. Donegal East is the only part of Ireland with Irish, English and Ulster Scots traditions. This literary festival highlights the multicultural, multilingual traditions of this community and the work of Stranorlar’s Frances Browne.

On behalf of my Donegal Council Council colleagues, management and staff, we wish the Frances Browne Literary Festival every success and hope locals and visitors alike will take time to attend the many events that are planned from 12th to the 15th October 23,” he said.

Photo: Cllr Martin Harley with Margaret Sweeney, Tourism Unit, Donegal County Council, and members of the Frances Browne Literary Festival Committee at The Pound Historical Park, Stranorlar

2023 Programme

The Festival Gala Launch night sees playwright Pauline Holland’s powerful “Strangers To Our Own,” an examination of the last days of Raphoe Ulster-Scots poetess Sarah Leech, music and song from The Frances Browne singers, newly discovered work by Frances Browne and the presentation of the third Frances Browne Award.

This is followed by a weekend of packed full of events including a workshop in Irish led by Ballybofey Irish author and lecturer Dubhán Ó Longáin, an English nature writing workshop led by Annemarie Ní Churreáin and an Ulster Scots workshop led by well-known Ulster Scots presenter and tour guide Lolly Spence.

Strangers to Our Own will be performed at Lifford Old Courthouse on Saturday night.

The Frances Browne Multilingual Poetry Competition awards on Friday 13th in Kee’s Hotel is the focal point of the festival.

A spectacular, interactive outdoor promenade performance, incorporating dance, storytelling, music and singing in the beautiful Drumboe Woods is a must-see.

A masterclass in oil painting by Ann Quinn ARHA on Friday 13th October is another highlight.

Enda Hughes author of Donegal, the Pride of All will sign copies of his recent collection of spectacular Donegal photographs.

Add in walking tours, exhibitions, a fun day for children, discussions and much much more.

View our full programme on the Frances Browne Literary Festival website.