This year’s Aspects Festival will bring you a series of events which will showcase writers and their latest publications. The popular festival takes place in Bangor from 25 September – 6 October.
Join Irish short story writer and novelist Mary Costello in Bangor Castle on Saturday 28 September as she discusses her latest book Barcelona. The Irish Times Bestseller, which was published in Spring 2024, reveals underlying disquiet in modern life and the sometimes brutal nature of humanity. Mary Costello lives in Galway. Her collection of short stories, The China Factory, published in 2012, was nominated for the Guardian First Book Award. Her second book and first novel, Academy Street, was shortlisted for the International Dublin Literary Award, the Costa First Novel Prize and the EU Prize for Literature in 2014. The novel went on to win the Irish Novel of the Year Award as well as the Irish Book of the Year.
Evelyn Conlon will be in conversation with broadcaster Kathy Klugson at North Down Museum on Saturday 5 October. Evelyn’s latest book Reading Rites brings her characteristic wit and keen intelligence to the task of exploring her writing life, drawing out the events, people, books and concerns that have helped to make her the writer she is. Evelyn Conlon is considered one of Ireland’s most important writers. She is the author of four novels and three short story collections. Her work has been widely anthologised and translated. She is the editor of four anthologies and is a member of Aosdána. As part of Aspects Festival, Evelyn will also deliver a Short Story Writing workshop at North Down Museum on Sunday 6 October.
Andrew Hugh’s new crime novel Emma Disappeared, is about the disappearance of Emma Harte, a high-achieving university student and young entrepreneur. While a national debate about women’s safety rages, eyes turn to Emma’s boyfriend, Tom – who is nowhere to be found. Andrew’s debut novel, The Convictions of John Delahunt, was shortlisted for the Bord Gáis Irish Crime Book of the Year. The Coroner’s Daughter, a tale of a young lady sleuth operating at the dawn of forensic science, was nominated for the CWA Historical Dagger and was One Dublin, One Book 2023. Join Andrew for Aspect’s Crime Night event at North Down Museum on Friday 4 October when he will discuss his latest work with crime writer Brian McGilloway.
In 2021 at age 21 years old, Ruby Free moved to Rathlin Island, a biodiverse gem perched on the outer edges of our archipelago, for her dream job with the RSPB. She made Rathlin her home for over 2 and a half years and documented the experience in her new book Rathlin: A Wildlife. Ruby will talk about the book and her experiences on the island at Studio 1A, Bangor on 28 September.
Speaking about the events, Festival Director Patricia Hamilton said: “Aspects has a long tradition of showcasing and supporting new writing. We are delighted to welcome these fantastic writers to the festival and looking forward to hearing about their latest works.”
Aspects Festival runs until from 25 September to 6 October at various locations around Bangor. For further information on the programme and to book tickets see: