Poetry Lovers Don’t Miss Aspects Festival

The cream of Irish poetry is coming to the popular annual poetry festival in North Down from 14-24 September.

The Aspects Irish Literature Festival has a long tradition of embracing writing in all its forms and bringing household names to Bangor.

Poet Rachel McCrum who will read from her latest work ‘The First Blast To Awaken Women Degenerate’ at North Down Museum on September 20 as part of Aspects Festival.

Ards and North Down Borough Council is delighted to announce this year’s programme that once again celebrates the best of Irish writing and brings together a wealth of local literary talents and writers from further afield.

Aspects 2017 brings you a host of renowned authors including Colm Tóibín, Frank McGuinness, Malachi O’Doherty, Carol Drinkwater, Bernie McGill and many more.

Poetry has always been a highlight on the Aspects programme and in the past, the Festival has proudly showcased many of Ireland’s foremost poets as well as providing a platform for less established poets who have gone on to great things.

This year is no different with poetry lovers in for a treat with a whole host of poetry events, from our annual poetry slam, our poetry competition, readings and lots more.

Poet, publisher and founder of The Gallery Press, Peter Fallon, will be at North Down Museum on 20 September as part of Aspects Festival. Peter will be in conversation with Kenneth Irvine and will read from his latest work.

On Wednesday 20 September at North Down Museum, Donaghadee native Rachel McCrum will be reading from her latest collection ‘The First Blast to Awaken Women Degenerate.’

Rachel is a poet, performer and a promoter, her second pamphlet from Stewed Rhubarb Press in 2015 was ‘Do Not Alight Here Again.’ Rachel was the inaugural poet in residence for BBC Scotland in 2015 and was Writer in Residence 2016 for the Coastword Festival in Dunbar. Festival-goers can also catch Rachel at the ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ event at Clandeboye Estate on 16 September.

The poetry and foraging event with The Edible Flower promises to be an event with a difference, bringing literature and food together! Sounds tasty!

Aspects is delighted to welcome Peter Fallon to this year’s Festival. Poet, editor, publisher and consummate man of letters, this is Peter’s first time at Aspects.

Author Kelly Creighton with poet Moyra Donaldson launching the Aspects Event at Bangor Town Hall. (Photo: Elaine Hill.)

At this event on 20 September at North Down Museum, Peter will be in conversation with Kenneth Irvine about his life, work and the world of poetry publishing.

Founder of Gallery Press in 1970 which has since been responsible for the publication of hundreds of Irish titles, Peter has a wealth of knowledge on Irish poetry publishing. He will also read from his latest work ‘Strong My Love.’

Other Aspects poetry events include:

*  Women Aloud Readings and Wine and Rhymes at The Blackberry Path on 2 & 15 September

* the Poetry Slam at SERC Theatre on 16 September

* Moyra Donaldson and Paul Maddern at The Blackberry Path on 17 September.

Aspects Festival takes place from 14-24 September at various locations around Bangor.

For further information on the programme and to book tickets see:

www.aspectsfestival.com