Literary Tourism Products Developed in Ireland.
Cairde Sligo Arts Festival have developed two literary strands to their arts festival, Cairde Word hosted online in 2020 is a series of high-quality literary performances and a literary trail incorporating poetry, readings and performance art, details HERE. This year the festival have commissioned landscape theatre specialists LUXE to create an illuminated processional spectacle between the waters of Rosses Point and the shifting sands of Cumeen Strand. This event will also feature newly commissioned work by writer Annemarie Ní Churreáin, with sound and visuals by Laura Sheeran in collaboration with The Lighthouse Project. The event will take place on 4th September 2021.
LUXE Landscape Theatre
Tertulia ‘A Bookshop Like No Other’.
Tertulia have been very busy during the last year in developing their Literary Tourism offering in Westport. Through Spot-lit, a new experiential product offering is being developed for visitors to Westport; half and full-day “Literature and Philosophy” events throughout the year. These events will involve speakers, workshops and debates based on the model of a mini Citizen’s Assembly, using experts and informed debates. Tertulia have also launched a Short Story Competition for Teens. More Here.
Brid and Neil ‘Terulia a bookshop like no other’
Thoor Ballylee Development CLG.
Rooted in the fourteenth-century hiberno tower just outside Gort, Co. Galway, Thoor Ballylee Development CLG is a literary and cultural organisation with a track record of over 25 years delivering educational and artistic infrastructure, attracting visitors seeking literary and cultural tourism experiences in South Galway. Through Spot-Lit, the group contunue to work towards developing a new network connecting local people and visitors to locations and sites of international literary and artistic importance in our region.
Thoor Ballylee
Artisan House, Connemara, Galway.
Connemara has an abundance of literary and artistic associations extending over many decades and even centuries. Through the Spot-lit programme, the publishing company plans to develop a series of literary tourism guided tours in Connemara including package holidays, printed materials and maps.
Image of Gurteenacloch Renvyle by Artisan House.
Mayo Celtic Holidays Ltd./Kiltimagh Tourism Association.
The Spot-lit supported Raftery Returns Arts Festival is set to take place in Kiltimagh, between 26th September and 3rd October, celebrating the life and work of Anthony Raftery, the last Irish Bard. Included in the programme of events are creative writing and performance skills with children in the area, readings and workshops as well a literary tour through Cill Aodain and a programme to reach out to the visually impaired community. Raftery Returns Arts Festival are also running a Poetry Competition.
