If you like words, walks and fresh sushi, head for Allihies in July
The best summer escapes are the ones you can squeeze into your weekend without eating up a day of annual leave.
In just under three hours drive from the city, you can find yourself on the tip of the Beara Peninsula of a Friday evening, where a unique festival of words, walks and food will be taking place from July 5th-7th, 2019.
Nestled between rocky hills and the Atlantic sea, the hidden beaches, waterfalls, caves and ancient ruins of Allihies have inspired artists and writers for generations.
The Allihies Inspires festival offers another enticement to visit… as if you needed one.
Run by volunteers Dee Collins and Claire Zwaartman, along with student Niamh Twomey from the M.A. in Creative Writing at UCC, this year’s programme includes poetry readings in the Copper Cafe, workshops, a seafood supper and live music at night in the cosy village pubs.
Leave your desk at 5pm and you could be enjoying a pint in O’Neill’s Bar by sundown.
Here are four events to check out this year:
Pop-Up Bookshop in memory of Annie Goulding
From Thursday July 4th
The late Annie Goulding was resident in the Old Reentrisk Schoolhouse, Allihies, from the 1960s. Multi-talented as a chef, weaver and photographer, she was also a great aficionado of literature, and amassed a wonderful collection of novels, many of which are included in this book sale.
Writing Tips for Radio Drama with Cónal Creedon.
Saturday, July 6th, Allihies Men’s Shed: 2pm (tickets €10)
Join Cónal for an informal chat about writing for radio drama. Creedon’s radio drama has been broadcast on RTÉ, Lyric FM, BBC, BBC Radio 4 and BBC World Service. His work has achieved recognition in the One Voice Monologue Awards (BBC), The Francis McManus Awards (RTÉ), The PJ O’Connor Awards (RTÉ) and has represented Ireland in the BBC World Service World Play Radio Drama Competition.
Danny Denton. Reading.
Saturday, July 6th, Jimmy’s Bar: 5pm
Danny Denton is a writer from Cork. His first novel, The Earlie King & The Kid In Yellow, was published by Granta Books in 2018, and nominated for ‘Newcomer of the Year’ at the Irish Book Awards. Among other publications, his work has also appeared in The Stinging Fly, Southword, Granta, Winter Papers, Tate, Etc, The Guardian, The Irish Times, Architecture Ireland and The Big Issue. He is the guest-editor of The Stinging Fly for the Summer 2019 issue.
Local Seafood Sushi Supper Pop-Up @ Jimmys
Saturday, July 6th, Jimmy’s Bar: 6.30pm
A celebration of local seafood and sea vegetables at Jimmy’s bar, guests will be treated to tales of the history of Jimmy’s and stories of fishermen from times gone by as they eat. Tickets are €20 and include a drink. Pre-booking is essential here.
To book tickets and check out some local accommodation options, visit the website.
