Celebrated poet Nessa O’Mahony is special guest at the 2024 Frances Browne Literary Festival

Renowned poet and editor Nessa O’Mahony will be the distinguished guest at the 2024 Frances Browne Literary Festival, delivering the keynote speech at the Frances Browne Poetry Awards ceremony in Kee’s Hotel, Stranorlar, on Friday, October 11th.

Now in its fourth year, the festival celebrates the rich cultural and literary heritage of East Donegal and will take place from October 10th to 13th, 2024. In her keynote address, titled "Translating Achievement into Legacy – Women Writers from the 1800s to the 2020s," O’Mahony will explore the often overlooked contributions of women writers, including Frances Browne and Margaret King Moore, and reflect on the ways we honour contemporary women writers in today’s literary landscape.

Nessa O’Mahony, a Dublin native, has published five collections of poetry and is a respected voice in both fiction and non-fiction. Her work includes "Bar Talk" (1999), "Trapping a Ghost" (2005), "In Sight of Home" (2009), "Her Father’s Daughter" (2014), and "The Hollow Woman on the Island" (2019). She is also an esteemed editor and an advocate for celebrating diverse voices in literature, having curated tributes such as the Poetry Ireland Review Issue 138 dedicated to Eavan Boland. O’Mahony currently serves as an Associate Lecturer with The Open University and holds a PhD in Creative and Critical Writing from the University of Wales, Bangor.

[image: Nessa O'Mahony]

The festival will open on Thursday, October 10th, at Kee’s Hotel, with a talk by Thomas McLean, an Associate Professor in English at the University of Otago, New Zealand. McLean is a noted scholar and author, contributing to the global understanding of 19th-century literature.

Friday, October 11th, will feature a range of events, including an oil painting masterclass by the acclaimed artist Cornelius Browne, a Pop-Up Poetry session at the Twin Towns Library with poets Annemarie Ní Churreáin, Proinsias Mac a’ Bhaird, and Dubhán O’Longain, followed by a panel discussion on the challenges and nuances of literary translation across languages and cultures.

In the evening, The Gallery Room at Kee’s Hotel will host the launch by Annemarie Ní Churreáin of Bernadette Gallagher’s debut poetry collection, "The Risen Tree," in association with Poetry Ireland. Gallagher, originally from Donegal now resides in County Cork.

Saturday, October 12th, offers a series of writing workshops led by Nessa O’Mahony, Dubhán O’Longáin, and Averil Meehan, providing a space for emerging voices to refine their craft. Professor Thomas McLean, who has travelled from New Zealand especially for the Festival, will deliver the annual Frances Browne Lecture, hosted by the Ballybofey, Stranorlar, and District Historical Society. Additionally, the festival welcomes a special presentation from Limavady’s Steinbeck Festival and Donegal’s inaugural Tenx9 storytelling event at the Balor Arts Centre.

On Sunday, festival-goers can immerse themselves in the local heritage with the Frances Browne Walking Tour, guided by Kathleen Phelan, and enjoy a free Family Fun Day at The BASE Enterprise Centre, Stranorlar, featuring traditional games, workshops, and more. The day will conclude with a special performance of an extract from Brendan Behan’s "The Quare Fellow" by Elusive Theatre in association with the Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival at McKelvey’s Bar, Ballybofey, followed by a Pop-Up Gaeltacht, celebrating the Irish language in a lively, inclusive and informal setting.

Cllr Dakota McMenamin praised the Frances Browne Literary Festival committee for establishing the festival as an essential cultural event in Donegal. “On behalf of Donegal County Council, I wish the Frances Browne Literary Festival continued success and encourage both locals and visitors to engage with the diverse and enriching events planned from October 10th to 13th,” she said.

The festival honours Stranorlar-born Frances Browne (1816–1879), celebrated as "The Blind Poetess of Ulster" and a pioneering writer whose works, including the globally translated "Granny’s Wonderful Chair" (1856), left an indelible mark on the literary world.

Celine McGlynn, Chairperson of the Frances Browne Literary Festival Committee, expressed her excitement for this year’s event. "The Frances Browne Literary Festival is a celebration of the vibrant and diverse cultural heritage of Frances Browne’s homeland. After last year’s incredible success, we are thrilled to share this year’s lineup, showcasing the rich literary traditions of East Donegal and beyond, she said.”

The Frances Browne Literary Festival is proudly supported by Donegal County Council and Finn Valley Voice. For full program details, visit the festival’s website and follow on social media: francesbrowneliteraryfestival.com. Email: info@francesbrowneliteraryfestival.com Facebook/Instagram.

Contact:

Mob: 0876728933 (Celine McGlynn)

Photograph Captions:

1 At the launch of the 2024 Frances Browne Literary Festival Programme at The Pound Historical Park, Stranorlar, with the statue of Frances Browne, committee Chair Celine McGlynn