The upcoming Aspects Festival will spotlight poetry with a diverse lineup of poets and events. On 25 September, award-winning Galician poet Isaac Xubín will read at Bangor’s Imperial Bar. Xubín is participating in the Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill Poetry Exchange during his residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. Aspects Festival is delighted to be a host partner of the Aodh Ruadh Ó Domhnaill Poetry Exchange for the third year.
On 27 September, poets Paula Meehan and Gail McConnell will present their latest works at Bangor Castle. Meehan, a former Ireland Professor of Poetry, will share from The Solace of Artemis, while McConnell, from Belfast, will read from her award-winning debut, The Sun is Open.
Theo Dorgan, an acclaimed poet and writer, will appear at Bangor Castle on 29 September, featuring his latest collection Once was a Boy, which delves into his Cork childhood. A former Director of Poetry Ireland, Dorgan is an award-winning poet, a non-fiction prose writer, novelist, editor, documentary screenwriter, essayist, librettist and translator.
Also appearing at Bangor Castle on 29 September is renowned poet Michael Longley where he will read from his latest work Ash Keys. Published to coincide with his 85th birthday, Ash Keys looks back on the extraordinary career of the last surviving member of the triumvirate of poets that rose out of 1960s Belfast.
The festival is also hosting two Poetry Slams this year – the Aspects North Down Heat on Saturday 21 September and the Ulster Final on Saturday 28 September at Studio 1A, Bangor. This dynamic competition pits poets against poet, working against the clock and their peers to showcase original work.
Speaking about the events, Aspects Festival Director, Patricia Hamilton said: “We are delighted to once again welcome poets from near and far to Aspects. It is wonderful to see the return of the Galician Exchange event and as always, it is an honour to welcome Michael Longley to read for us. I would encourage everyone to check out the programme and book their tickets.”
Aspects Festival runs from 25 September to 6 October at various locations around Bangor. For further information on the programme and to book tickets see aspectsfestival.com