Aspects 2018 – starts this weekend!
Aspects Festival starts in Bangor this weekend with a full programme of literary events to inspire the reader and writer in you. The month-long programme, features 39 events, with something for everyone on offer, from top authors to poetry, exhibitions, theatre, kids’ events, food and music. The Ards and North Down Borough Council Festival runs until 30 September at various venues around the town.
Don’t miss the wonderful series of events taking place at Clandeboye Estate on 1 & 2 September where The Clandeboye Reading Party and Lady Dufferin will be discussing issues around the environment and biodiversity. Sir Bob Salisbury will also be at Clandeboye discussing his book ‘Field of Dreams.’ This year’s theme ‘Learning Without Walls’ is inspired by Lady Dufferin’s life as a landscape painter. The Reading Party is a joint initiative between Trinity College Dublin, Queen’s University Belfast, Clandeboye Estate and Aspects Festival.
On Thursday 6 September at 7pm, a very special book and exhibition launch is taking place at Bangor Carnegie Library. ‘Blood Horses’ is a collaboration between local poet Moyra Donaldson and equine artist Paddy Lennon which tells the stories of three famous stallions – The Byerley Turk, The Darley Arabian and The Godolphin Barb. Both the exhibition and the limited-edition book look at the relationship between humans and horses, the effect they have on our lives and our love for these magnificent creatures. This is a free event, and everyone is welcome to attend.
The Festival Yurt is returning to Bangor’s beautiful Walled Garden from 14 – 16 September and will host a series of poetry and mindfulness events. Fired! is a celebration of women writers from both the past and the present and will include readings followed by a panel discussion featuring poet Katie Donovan, Chris Murray of Poethead and academic Alex Pryce. The Festival is delighted to welcome Women Aloud back to the programme for their Not So Secret Garden event, taking place in the Yurt on Saturday 15 September. The Power of Poetry on Sunday 16 September welcomes poets Pádraig Ó Tuama, Stephen Sexton and Erin Halliday to the Yurt for what’s sure to be an absolute treat for poetry lovers.
Beautiful Bangor Castle also features on the Festival’s venue list with a series of events located in the spectacular Chamber Room. Rise Above! The Letters of Tyrone Guthrie with Christopher Fitzsimon on Saturday 22 September will give an intimate insight into the brilliant theatre director’s life and the theatrical world in which he inhabited. Also on Saturday 22, Crime in the Castle will be a must for crime fiction fans. Spend an evening with three ‘Ulster Noir’ writers as they discuss and read from their work and learn how important location is in crime fiction novels.
This event will feature authors Brian McGilloway, Simon Maltman and Gerard Brennan. On Sunday 23 September, Reporting the Troubles by Ivan Little and Deric Henderson, will showcase this important book which chronicles the Troubles from the personal perspective of journalists who were on the ground at that time.
Little readers are also catered for with a full Young Aspects programme. The events, taking place from 25 – 30 September in North Down Museum, Bangor Carnegie Library and Boom Studios, range from reading events, book-inspired yoga, a comic workshop and more! For the first time ever, an Autism Friendly event is on offer at Aspects, a relaxed story-telling morning specifically designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This event is taking place on Sunday 30 September at North Down Museum.
For more information on the full programme and to book tickets, visit:
or phone 028 9127 1200.
