Hinterland leads return of live performances
First 'in-person' events to get underway in county
Image 1 of 2
Cllr Sarah Reilly, Joanne Burke and Sgt Elaine Long at the launch of ‘Four Killings’ by Myles Dungan.Image 2 of 2
Prof Diarmuid Ferriter, Geraldine Gaughran of Hinterland, author Myles Dungan and Frank Cogan of Meath Archaeological and Historical Society at the launch of ‘Four Killings’ by Myles Dungan at the Headfort Arms Hotel during ‘Hinterland’.The Hinterland Festival of Literature in Kells made a welcome return last weekend and was one of the first live and 'in person' events to get underway in the country.
While still operating at a reduced capacity, it had all the feel of the usual festival with a line-up of 35 events over four days including some of Ireland's top authors. As always, history is huge part of the programme and Prof Diarmaid Ferriter was on hand to discuss 'Between Two Hells' his new work on the Civil War and to officially launch Myles Dungan's 'Four Killings' a tale of land hunger, paranoia and violence in the revolutionary era.
The highlight of Saturday's programme, no doubt, was Marian Keyes, whose crackling personality had audiences glowing with praise as she chatted easily to first time author Ann Ingle and crime fiction writer Hinterland veteran Liz Nugent. Music fans were chewing the fat after Tom Dunne made his case for Hunky Dory being the greatest Bowie album of all time.
On Sunday, it was science that ruled supreme with Éanna Ní Lamhna exploring the wild world, Prof Luke O'Neill conducting some messy home experiments and author Paul Howard regaling audiences with tales from his alter ego, Ross O'Carroll Kelly.
Festival organisers have had to contend with an ever changing set of rules and per the new government regulations, those attending were required to show proof of vaccination and wear a mask. Festival co-ordinator Heather Hamill says "With the festival now over, there is a collective sigh of relief that we've done it safely and that everybody who came really enjoyed themselves. We're looking forward now to June 2022 when hopefully we'll be back to normal."