The Red Line Book Festival coming up on October 14th – 20th 2024 is promising pages and punchlines this year as comedy is in the central theme. Over 40 literary events will take place is venue across South County Dublin over the week with an eclectic mix of established writers and new voices. Highlights include an evening with international bestselling author, Marian Keyes who gives readers those much-loved laugh out loud moments. Comedian Emma Doran also provides some comic relief as she chats about her debut book, Mad Isn’t It with award-winning actress, writer and ‘humourista’ Amy Huberman.
The festival also aims to foster local writing talent, with a range of writing workshops in different genres taking place in our libraries, as well as the Comedian in Residence programme with Sharon Mannion who is mentoring aspiring comics in a series of workshops looking at all aspects of comedy writing and performance, culminating in a showcase event in the Coach House, Palmerstown on Sunday 20th October.
The Red Line Book Festival is a celebration of literature, storytelling, and creativity and has grown to become one of the highlights of the cultural calendar. It offers an incredible opportunity to connect with the written word in its many forms whether you’re a reader, writer, or simply a lover of stories. From engaging discussions with authors to exciting workshops and performances, this festival creates a space for reflection, imagination, and community.
The events will take place in South Dublin County in locations such as The Civic, Rathfarnham Castle, Brú Chrónáin – Clondalkin Round Tower Visitor Centre, and the Pearse Museum highlighting the richness of the county’s built heritage as well as introducing dynamic new venues such as Work IQ in Tallaght Innovation Quarter.
The festival also features the ever-popular True Crime Night with former detective Pat Marry and investigative journalist Mick Clifford in conversation with Muireann O’Connell. Authors Sean Murray, Nicky Ryan and Christine Bohan will share the harrowing Stardust Tragedy as they discuss ‘The Last Disco’. Best-selling author Donal Ryan will be chatting about his new book Heart Be at Peace and for those consumed by Wanderlust; Rory King, Pól Ó Conghaile and Fionn Davenport will chat to travel blogger Nadia El Ferdaoussi
The festival’s Family Fun Day returns to Parthalán Place, Tallaght’s cultural quarter on Saturday 19th October, and promises to be a day of literary magic and Hallowe’en fun for all ages with activities including storytelling sessions, illustration workshops from top Irish artists working in children’s literature as well as live music, creative events, children’s entertainment and lots more. ‘Tallaween’ will also be unleashed on Saturday 19th bringing Tallaght Library’s darkest tales to life. Monsters, demons, and zombies will escape the pages and haunt Parthalán Place every night from 5 PM to 9 PM until October 31st.
Other highlights of the festival include the prestigious Red Line Book Festival Poetry Competition which attracts hundreds of entries from all across Ireland annually. Award-winning poet Patrick Deeley will judge the competition entries and the closing date for entries is Monday 16th September. The shortlist will be announced on Wednesday 2nd October 2024 and the winners will be announced during this year’s Red Line Book Festival.
Now in its 13th year, The Red Line Book Festival is produced by South Dublin Libraries and Arts at South Dublin County Council offering a programme of events and workshops that appeals to people of all ages and interests, from children to adults, casual readers to bookworms. See www.redlinefestival.ie for the full programme of events taking place across all venues.
