THE Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter’s 2023 Literary Festival got off to a flying start following Elusive Theatre’s presentation of Brendan Behan’s play, ‘Moving Out’.
In 1952, Behan was commissioned to write two plays for Radio Eireann about the trials and tribulations of an inner city Dublin family, the Hannigans, facing the prospects of moving to suburbia.
According to the critics, they have a comedy and a message that resonates to this day.
The second play, A Garden Party, which, oddly enough, deals with a load of manure arriving at the Hannigan’s new house, will be broadcast on Wedensday, October 18 on Highland Radio at 8pm.
The legendary Dublin playwright is pretty much front and centre in this year’s offerings.
Event organiser, Donnan Harvey said he was delighted that the festival was getting off to such a great start with the Behan plays which he described as “absolutely superb”.
Donnan has confirmed that the Literary Festival will be officially opened by Sheila Friel from Creeslough who is the producer of the film An Buachaill Gealgháireach (The Laughing Boy) on Friday, October 19.
If you are wondering why there is usage of some Greek here, Festival Director, Mary Turley-McGrath explains: “The Irish song ‘The Laughing Boy’ was written by Brendan Behan in memory of another Irish iconic rebel, Michael Collins.
“But this song also had an extraordinary and dramatic afterlife as ‘To Yelasto Paidi’, the powerful left-wing anthem of resistance against the dictatorship that ruled Greece in the late Sixties and early Seventies.
“Translated by the poet Vasilis Rotas, Behan’s words in Greek were set to music by the legendary Mikis Theodorakis. The song remains an enduring and potent cultural force in the heart of Greece today.”
Sheila Friel’s film takes poet Theo Dorgan on an odyssey of his own, as he attempts to uncover the truth of the story behind the song.
It is a narrative that interweaves the tragic and bloody birth pangs of both modern Ireland and modern Greece.
And there is so much more for visitors to enjoy.
Donnan Harvey points out that this year’s festival has a huge variety of events with something, he says, to suit every taste.
“I contend we are getting bigger and better every year. This time around we have such variety including an Ukrainian Evening with the Newland Choir, a writing masterclass on the Behan legacy with special guest, Blanaid Behan Walker, a special session on Jane Austen’s connection with Donegal, the Raphoe Diamond Writers will host a poetry reading session and so much more.”
There will also be participation by local personalities of note including Fionnuala Rabbitt of Highland Radio, broadcaster Frank Galligan, journalist and Ulster Television News Presenter Gareth Wilkinson who will explore the impact and influence the works of Brendan Behan had on their careers.
This promises to be a very interesting session and there will be a Q&A session to close.
One very interesting and innovative aspect of this year’s event is the Prize Winners’ Evening on Saturday, October 21 at Dillon’s Hotel where those who entered the poetry competition will learn their fate. This is something Mary Turley-McGrath is delighted with.
She said “The response to this new competition, where poets were invited to write on the theme, ‘Against the Odds’ attracted more than two hundred poems from all parts of Ireland. We are delighted that this proved such a hit. Our Prize Winners’ Evening will give an opportunity to a number of new poets from the county to read their work to a festival audience.”
Other events to look out for are Paul Charles, in conversation with Jean Curran of Highland Radio; Donal Fallon (Newstalk’s Hidden Histories) and historian Fergus Whelan will discuss the work and legacy of Brendan Behan; Excerpts from Caisleáin Óir -The Musical; and a evening with broadcaster, poet and short-story writer, Frank Galligan.
Concluding, Donnan said: “There is so much going on this year that I would advise those wanting more information on the Literary Festival to visit our website https://lkcqlitfest.weebly.com/ or if they wish they can contact me they can do so by phoning +353(0) 863452457.
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