Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Library

Library Voices presented a poetry evening on Wednesday, November 5th with two of Ireland's major poets, Gerald Dawe and Brendan Kennelly, in the company of Leontia Flynn, recent winner of the prestigious Rooney Prize for Literature 2008. Leontia's latest collection from Cape is entitled Drives (2008). Gerald's is Points West from Gallery Press (2008.) Described by one critic as Ireland's "most endearing and reckless poet" Brendan Kennelly has been enchanting reading audiences for longer than he cares to remember.

The 2008 Man booker Prize was announced on 14th of October at a ceremony in London's Guildhall. The same evening, in anticipation of the announcement, an audience gathered in Dún Laoghaire County Hall to discuss the shortlisted works and speculate on the result. This is the second and final part of the podcast of that event. Host Bert Wright and panelists Declan Hughes, Claire Kilroy and Alison Walsh continue their discussion with a look at the final three books on the shortlist: "The Clothes on Their Backs" by Linda Grant; "The Northern Clemency" by Philip Hensher; and "A Fraction of The Whole" by Steve Toltz. The podcast ends with the news from London that the prize has been won by Aravind Adiga's "The White Tiger".

The 2008 Man booker Prize was announced on 14th of October at a ceremony in London's Guildhall. The same evening, in anticipation of the announcement, an audience gathered in Dún Laoghaire County Hall to discuss the shortlisted works and speculate on the result. This is the first of a two-part podcast in which Declan Hughes, Claire Kilroy and Alison Walsh join Bert Wright to discuss the first three books on the shortlist: "Secret Scripture" by Sebastian Barry; "Sea of Poppies" by Amitav Ghosh; and "The White Tiger" by Aravind Adiga.

Journalist and bestselling author, broadcaster and historian, Tim Pat Coogan was editor of the Irish Press for 20 years and played a central role in the political maelstrom of The Troubles and their ultimate resolution. His long awaited memoir looks back on the public and private aspects of a life lived at the centre of Irish politics and Irish society. This podcast was recorded on 2nd October 2008 as Tim Pat spoke before a live audience at the County Hall in Dún Laoghaire, his home town.

This is the concluding programme of the Spring/Summer 2008 Library Voices series run by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Library. The special guest in this episode is best-selling novelist Cathy Kelly, in an interview with fellow writer and journalist Kathryn Holmquist. They discuss the writing process, sources of inspiration, and how to deal with reactions from critics and the public alike. The programme includes the participation of a live audience and it was recorded at County Hall, Dún Laoghaire on the 24th June 2008.

John Boyne is best known for his novel "The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas". The film version will be released later this year. His latest novel, "Mutiny on the Bounty", tells the story of Captain Bligh and his crew through the eyes of a 14-year old cabin boy. In this podcast, the author reads excerpts from the new book and discusses his work with the audience. The programme was recorded at County Hall, Dún Laoghaire on the 17th June 2008.

Hugo Hamilton is the author of the acclaimed memoirs "The Speckled People" and "The Sailor in the Wardrobe", as well as several novels. His latest novel "Disguise" has just been published, and in this podcast he reads excerpts and discusses his work in front of a home crowd, in Dún Laoghaire where he grew up. He is joined by Dr Gisela Holfter, joint director of Irish-German Studies at the University of Limerick. This podcast was recorded at County Hall, Dún Laoghaire on the 5th June 2008.

The second episode in the Library Voices series is a joint presentation featuring best selling Irish writer Joseph O'Connor and acclaimed newcomer Julia Kelly. The authors read from their work and take questions from a live audience. This podcast was recorded at County Hall, Dún Laoghaire on the 22nd May 2008.

Library Voices is the title of a new series of readings by well known authors. The first podcast in this series features the American writer Jodi Picoult, reading from her latest novel "Change of Heart", and taking questions from a live audience about her life and work. The podcast was recorded at County Hall, Dún Laoghaire on the 28th April 2008.

The first of 3 podcasts featuring judges of the 2008 Féile Filíochta International Poetry Competition run by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Libraries, recorded at the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire. This episode features award winning poet and playwright Rita Ann Higgins. A native of Galway, Rita Ann has published eight collections of poetry. Five with Salmon publishing and three with Bloodaxe, including her latest collection ‘Throw in the vowels: new and selected poems’. She has written four plays and has been writer in residence at the National University of Ireland and also writer in residence with Galway and Offaly County Councils. She was the Green Honors Professor at Texas Christian University in 2000, was awarded an Honorary Fellow at Hong Kong Baptist University in 2006 and is a member of the Irish arts affiliation, Aosdána. Rita Ann Higgins is introduced by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown's writer in residence, Katie Donovan. Sound Recording by Matt Verso at the Pavilion Theatre. Produced by Edgecast Media o

The second of 3 podcasts featuring judges of the 2008 Féile Filíochta International Poetry Competition run by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Libraries, recorded at the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire. In this episode celebrated Irish-language poet Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill reads from her latest work, a dual language collection with Paul Muldoon titled The Fifty Minute Mermaid. Her poetry is characterised by its focus on the rich cultural and linguistic heritage of Ireland, as well as its constant crossing of boundaries between, for instance, the mythic and the everyday, sexuality and spirituality, the past and the present. Her works have also been translated into several languages and she is a regular broadcaster on Irish radio and television. Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill is introduced by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown's writer in residence, Katie Donovan. Sound Recording by Matt Verso at the Pavilion Theatre. Produced by Edgecast Media on behalf of the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Libraries.

The third and final podcast featuring judges of the 2008 Féile Filíochta International Poetry Competition run by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Libraries, recorded at the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire. This episode features Gabriel Fitzmaurice, a former Chair and Literary Advisor of Writers’ Week, the International Writers’ Conference in Listowel, Co. Kerry, and author of more than twenty books, including poetry in English and Irish, children’s verse in English and Irish, essays, and collections of songs and ballads. An award winner at the Gerard Manley Hopkins Centenary Poetry Competition, he has twice represented Ireland at the European Festival of Poetry in Louvain, Belgium. He frequently broadcasts on Irish radio and television and local radio stations on education and the arts. Gabriel Fitzmaurice is introduced by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown's writer in residence, Katie Donovan. Sound Recording by Matt Verso at the Pavilion Theatre. Produced by Edgecast Media on behalf of the Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Libraries

The second part of the Books in the Park podcast features the adult authors who took part. The speakers are Paul Carson, Sarah Webb, Robert Dunbar, Marisa Mackle and Jacinta McDevitt. Recorded at Cabinteely Park, Dublin, Ireland on 23rd June 2007. "Books In The Park" was jointly organised by the Library Service and Parks Sections of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. The reporter is Brian Greene. Produced by Edgecast Media Ltd on behalf of the Public Library Service of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.

5 childrens authors read at an outdoor event at Cabinteely Park, Dublin, Ireland on 23rd June 2007. "Books In The Park" was jointly organised by the Library Service and Parks Sections of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. The speakers in this episode include: authors Don Conroy, Oisin McGann, Aisling O Loughlin, Joe O Brien and Derek Landy, Mairead Owens and Conor Peoples from the Library Service and members of the public. The reporter is Conn Ó Muíneacháin. Produced by Edgecast Media Ltd on behalf of the Public Library Service of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council.