This year’s Aspects Festival is happening from 22 September to 2 October.
Aspects Festival has always been committed to promoting Irish writing from well-known authors, as well as showcasing local and emerging talent and this year is no different. With events celebrating historic writing, politics, sports and history, there are plenty of events on offer across all genres of literature including book launches, new writing and discussions.
The full programme and tickets are available now at http://www.aspectsfestival.com
Our Top 10 Picks
Another Northern Ireland
Saturday 1 October – Bangor Castle – 7pm - £10
Writer Claire Mitchell, novelist Glenn Patterson and poet Mícheál McCann read their essays which they wrote and recorded as part of the Another Northern Ireland programme in 2021.
Reporting The Troubles 2
Thursday 29 September – Bangor Castle – 7pm - £10
Contributors to this book will talk about their own experiences and memories of reporting during this turbulent time. The panel for the event will include Seamus McKee, Maggie Taggart and Colin Bateman.
Martina Devlin and Jan Carson
Friday 23 September – North Down Museum – 7pm £8
Author, journalist and playwright Martina Devlin joins author Jan Carson as they discuss their latest books; ‘Edith: A Novel’ and ‘The Raptures.’
Catríona Lally and Andrew Meehan
Friday 23 September – North Down Museum – 5pm - £7
‘Wunderland’ and ‘Instant Fires’ are the latest novels from Irish writers Catríona Lally and Andrew Meehan. Join them as they discuss these works and more at North Down Museum.
Poetry and Paddleboarding
Saturday 1 October – Bangor Marina – 9am – 12noon - £35
Bangor’s love of the water and poetry are paired in this unique outdoor experience with SUPHUB NI. A guest poet will facilitate this session as you gather inspiration from the coastline and the lough.
Imagining History Writing Workshop
Thursday 22 September – North Down Museum – 6pm - £15
Aspiring writers will love this workshop with the wonderful Martina Devlin. Learn how to blend fact and fiction to produce your own work of historical fiction.
New Crime Writing
Thursday 22 September – North Down Museum – 7pm - £5
Join crime writers Anthony Quinn and Jason Johnson for the launch of their new books.
Laura McVeigh
Saturday 1 October – North Down Museum – 3pm - £6
Author Laura McVeigh discusses her second book ‘Lenny’ which was shortlisted in Hollywood’s Cinematic Book Contest.
A Life in Poetry
Saturday 24 September – North Down Museum – 5pm - £7
Poets Maureen Boyle and Moyra Donaldson will read from their latest publications; ‘The Last Spring of the World’ and ‘Bone House.’
Festival Club
Thursday 22 (9pm) & Friday 30 September (8pm)– Imperial Bar – Free
Aspiring writers get the chance to read their works publicly at this relaxed event which is aimed at encouraging new talent to read a piece of prose or poetry they have penned themselves.
