Jeremy Paxman for Hay Festival Kells

Jeremy Paxman, Richard Corrigan, Deirdre Kinahan and the National Poet of Wales, Gillian Clarke, are among the new names who have recently been announced for this year’s Hay Festival, Kells.

The comedian, Jason Byrne and musical guests, Ham Sandwich and Liam Ó Maonlaí have also been added to the programme, which was launched internationally at the Hay Festival in Wales last Sunday.

The Hay Festival Kells runs from 3rd to 6th July this year. After last year’s highly successful event, the literary festival is set to return with an even bigger and more ambitious programme for 2014, and tickets are now on sale.
Highlights which had already been announced include the novelist, Louis de Berniére who penned the international bestseller Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and Jung Chang who is best known for her autobiography, Wild Swans, which has sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
Irish novelist Joe O’Connor, the author of many acclaimed books, including Star of the Sea and Cowboys and Indians will also attend.
Others on the line up include Glenn Patterson, Anne Marie Casey, Gerry Stembridge, Eoin McNamee, Audrey Magee and John Kelly.
A stage adaptation of two of famed Bective writer, Mary Lavin’s most loved short stories, ‘Happiness’ and ‘In the Middle of the Fields’, has been adapted by Deirdre Kinahan and will feature Clare Barrett, Padraig McIntyre and Mike Sheehan.
British broadcaster, Jeremy Paxman, will discuss his latest book 'Great Britain’s Great War '.