Poets Ciaran O’Driscoll, Lionel Poiraudeau, Jo Slade and Vivienne McKechnie will be reading from a selection of their poetry as part of a special twinning initiative by the Quimper/Limerick twinning committees. This event brings together the works of French and Irish Poets in recognition of the special relationship these twin cities share.
Vivienne McKechnie is a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin and has completed an MA in Creative Writing in University of Limerick. Arlen House published Vivienne’s debut poetry collection, A Butterfly’s Wing, in 2013. Her poem, Letting Go, was published in Windharp, Poems of Ireland since 1916, edited by Niall MacMonagle. Her poem Stuff of Dreams was featured in Dreams 50 years of Creativity, Culture and Community at the University of Limerick edited by Joseph O’Connor, Eoin Devereux and Sarah Moore.
Born in Les Sables d’Olonne in 1958, Lionel Poiraudeau lives in Quimper, Brittany. There he taught English for 40 years and developed numerous collaborative projects (European Commission, Unesco Associated Schools, ASEF (Asia Europe foundation). He now shares his pensioner’s life in Quimper between friends, family, sculpture, literary projects, and volunteers for the third place Flux and the Quimper Limerick Twinning Committee.
Ciaran O’Driscoll lives in Limerick. A member of Aosdána, he has published ten books of poetry, the most recent of which is Angel Hour (2021). Liverpool University Press published his childhood memoir, A Runner Among Falling Leaves (2001). His debut novel, A Year’s Midnight, was published by Pighog Press (2012). The Golden Ass, a second novel, was published in May 2024 by Limerick Writers’ Centre. He has received a number of awards including the James Joyce Prize and the Kavanagh Fellowship.
Jo Slade is a poet and artist. Author of seven collections of poetry and two chapbooks of poems. Joint winner of the Michael Hartnett Poetry Prize 2014. Recent collection Cycles and Lost Monkeys Salmon Poetry, 2019. Her new poetry collection O N C E will be published by Salmon Poetry in February 2025.
Run times may vary by up to 15 minutes as they can be affected by intervals and delays.
* Concession tickets are available for students, seniors and unwaged purchases.
69 O’Connell St, Limerick, V94 FK0H
Walking:
Starting at the Brown Thomas store, continue walking straight up O’Connell St. After the Mallow St junction, Belltable is on the left-hand side of the road, in the middle of the block.
Public Transport:
From the bus stop on Sarsfield Street, take the 304 as far as the O’Connell Monument, O’Connell St. Continue back towards the city centre, Belltable is on the right-hand side of the road, in the middle of the block.
Parking:
Belltable is situated in the city centre and encourages patrons to walk where possible.
For those who can’t walk and need to drive there is only on street parking.
Belltable will open from 9am on both Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd of the festival.
Tickets can be booked online at www.limetreebelltable.ie. Links to which can be found on this site.
Weekend Pass €130/€100. Individual Sessions €15/€12. Heaney in Translation €20/€18.
Tickets may be purchased at the door for individual sessions, while tickets are still available.
Please note that ticket capacity is limited at all events, tickets will be issued on a first come first served basis. Please allow time to purchase tickets on the door as no latecomers will be permitted once an event commences.
Belltable is fully accessible.
Wheelchair spaces: We strongly advise that, should you require a wheelchair space, you contact our Box Office staff on (061) 953400 as early as possible.
Accessible Toilets: Belltable has one accessible toilet in the main foyer area next to the bar.
Guide/Assistance Dogs are welcome in both our venues.
Baby Changing Facilities: We have baby changing facilities in the accessible toilets in Belltable.
The Belltable cafe will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 2pm, serving coffee, tea etc.
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