Here are three unique happenings to check out during The West Cork Literary Festival
You never know who you’ll meet in West Cork.
But in early July you can expect to run into a variety of famous Irish and international writers in Bantry, all in town for The West Cork Literary Festival.
A week-long celebration of writing and reading, the fun takes place in and around the town from July 7th to 14th, with master classes, readings, and workshops, as well as interviews with authors, book launches, and a myriad of other events.
The prestigious list of visitors to Bantry this year includes Graham Norton, India Knight, Donal Ryan, Darina Allen, Rory O’Connell, Catherine Ryan Howard, John Banville, Megan Nolan, Raymond Antrobus, Disha Bose, Adam and David King, Clara Kumagai, Sally Hayden, and Alice Zeniter whose novel The Art of Losing won the 2022 Dublin Literary Award.
“It’s been another bumper year for publishing and Irish writers continue to shine.” says festival director Eimear O’Herlihy.
“We’ve a jam-packed schedule of events from three-day writing workshops to masterclasses, readings by international and Irish authors with a good mix of Cork talent, a Pop Up Gaeltacht, showcases of new and emerging writers and yoga on the lawn of Bantry House and a sea swim for those who need a little time out.”
Here are three fun events to check out as you nip in and out of workshops and readings:
1. John David Ratajkowski: Cow Tuesday
You may recognise the name, but it’s not his supermodel daughter who John David Ratajkowski will be discussing at this ‘Coffee and Chat’ event.
Several years ago the artist was spending six months at his home in Bantry and decided to start his Irish mornings by drawing cows. He would stand in an empty field and a head would rise above a hill – then another and another.
One Tuesday he shared a drawing with his daughter Emily and then by chance another the next Tuesday. She suggested that he share a cow every Tuesday and call it ‘Cow Tuesday’. Now over three years and 200 cow drawings later, many of these have been published in a beautiful handbound art book of the same name.
July 14th, 2023 10am, Bantry House Tearooms. Admission: €12
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2. Yoga on the Lawn at Bantry House
The perfect start to a morning of bookish pursuits, Aileen Slein is leading a yoga class on the glorious lawns of Bantry House.
75-minute drop-in class will be suitable for all levels. Weather permitting the class will take place on the front lawn in Bantry House (with a bad weather Plan B) – check their social media on the day for updates. Wear comfortable clothes and bring your own yoga mat.
Saturday, July 8th, 2023, 9am at Bantry House. Admission €15.
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3. Join the Festival Swim with surfer Easkey Britton
To really immerse yourself in beautiful West Cork, join the gang for the annual festival sea swim in Bantry Bay. Bring your swimsuit, your towel, and your sense of fun for this communal dip into the sea.
“This year we are joined on our swim by Easkey Britton, author of Ebb & Flow. Easkey will be speaking at the festival at 10am this morning.”
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Booking for all events is now open on westcorkliteraryfestival.ie.
