MAYOR’S WELCOME - Cllr. Baby Pereppadan
As Mayor of South Dublin County, it is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the annual Red Line Book Festival. This celebration of literature, storytelling, and creativity has grown to become one of the highlights of our cultural calendar, and I am delighted to see it continue to flourish.
The Red Line Book Festival offers an incredible opportunity to connect with the written word in its many forms—whether you’re a reader, writer, or simply a lover of stories. From engaging discussions with authors to exciting workshops and performances, this festival creates a space for reflection, imagination, and community.
This year’s programme includes over 40 events with highlights including Donal Ryan at Rathfarnham Castle, local author Vicki Notaro at the Civic, and a discussion of the Irish in the Resistance in World War II at Ballyroan Library.
Festivals like this one play a crucial role in bringing people together, igniting conversations, and inspiring new generations of writers and readers alike. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners and venues for their continuing commitment to the festival. To all attendees, I hope you enjoy the diverse programme of events, discover new perspectives, and leave inspired.
Welcome once again to the 2024 Red Line Book Festival. Let the stories unfold!
CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S MESSAGE - Colm Ward
The Red Line Book Festival is a wonderful opportunity for the people of South Dublin County and beyond to experience the very best the literary world has to offer, right here on our doorsteps. It also presents us with an opportunity to showcase the best of South Dublin County to visitors, highlighting the richness of our built heritage, with events taking place in Rathfarnham Castle, Brú Chrónáin – Clondalkin Round Tower Visitor Centre, and the Pearse Museum, as well as introducing dynamic new venues such as Work IQ in Tallaght Innovation Quarter.
This year’s festival is once again an eclectic mix of established writers and new voices, with highlights including an evening with international bestselling author, Marian Keyes; the ever-popular True Crime Night with former detective Pat Marry and investigative journalist Mick Clifford in conversation with Muireann O’Connell; and comedian Emma Doran talking about her debut book, Mad Isn’t It?
The festival also aims to foster local writing talent, with a range of writing workshops in different genres taking place in our libraries, as well as our Comedian in Residence programme with Sharon Mannion which will mentor participants in a series of engagements looking at all aspects of comedy writing and performance, culminating in a showcase event during the festival.
The festival’s Family Fun Day returns to Tallaght’s cultural quarter on Saturday 19th October, and promises to be a day of literary magic and Hallowe’en fun for all ages. With activities including storytelling sessions, illustration workshops from top Irish artists working in children’s literature as well as live music, creative events, children’s entertainment and lots more, this is sure to be one of the festival highlights.
Now in its 13th year and well established in the national cultural calendar, the festival has been pivotal in promoting literacy and a richer cultural life in South Dublin County. With such a diverse range of events catering for all interests and every age group, I invite you to dive into the programme and join us for this year’s Red Line Book Festival!
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