The tenth Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival (15–20 October) celebrated literature, theatre, music, and film with a rich programme ranging from new drama and author talks to crime writing, poetry, competitions, and cultural events, honouring figures such as Jane Austen, John Steinbeck, and Brendan Behan while showcasing both established and emerging voices.
Date: Wednesday, 15th October
Time: 8pm
Venue: Highland Radio
Elusive Theatre presents Meenuiscebán
The first performance of a new play by Niall Gallen, (Luain Press, 2023). The play is set in Donegal and follows the upheavals in the life of Sean Grant, a small farmer.
Sponsor: Nomadic
Thursday, 16th October
Time: 9.30am
Venue: Century Cinema Letterkenny
Free Event
The Steinbeck Connection
For Second Level Schools: Douglas Bartlett will give a short talk on John Steinbeck’s connection to Limavady’s Roe Valley, followed by a screening of the film Of Mice and Men.
Sponsor: Rushe Fitness
Thursday, 16th October
Time: 6pm
Venue: Donegal Central Library
Free Event
Cultural Evening
An evening of music, poetry and prose, with Deirdre Hines, James Simpson, Raphoe Diamond Writers with Celine McGlynn, Letterkenny Ukulele Orchestra, and the New Land Choir.
Sponsor: Mac’s Deli
Thursday, 16th October
Time: 8pm
Venue: Conwal Parish Church
Free Event
Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (film)
To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen, and Donegal’s unique links to this giant of English literature, there will be a screening of the 2005 film Pride and Prejudice starring Keira Knightley and Matthew MacFadyen.
Sponsor: Local Sponsor
Friday, 17th October
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Donegal County Museum
Free Event
Official Opening of the Tenth Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival
The Festival will be opened by author and journalist Roy Greenslade, author of The Peer, the Priests and the Press. It will be followed with readings by author Jane Buckley from her Stones Corner series, set during The Troubles.
Sponsor: Magees Pharmacy
Saturday, 18th October
Time: 12 pm
Venue: Dillons Hotel
Admission: €5 at the door
Becoming a Crime Writer
Join authors Paul Charles, Andrea Carter and Sharon Thompson as they discuss the key moments in their writing careers in conversation with Jean Curran.
Sponsor: Shop Lk
Saturday, 18th October
Time: 3 pm
Venue: Dillons Hotel
Admission: €5 at the door
Welcome to Writing!
An open invitation to all who are interested in writing, especially those who find it difficult to begin. This is a wonderful opportunity to gather ideas and suggestions from journalist and author Pat McArt.
Sponsor: Letterkenny Credit Union
Saturday, 18th October
Time: 5.30pm
Venue: Dillons Hotel
Admission: €5 at the door
Cathedral Quarter Non-Fiction Competition / New Voices
Prize Winners’ Evening / New Voices’ Readings
Everyone is welcome to our third Literary Festival Competition for readings by shortlisted writers, and celebrate the presentation of prizes. Three New Voices will also be introduced.
Main sponsors: Brennans Pharmacy and Donegal ETB
Saturday, 18th October
Time: 7pm
Venue: Dillons Hotel
Free Event
Guest Readers: James Finnegan and Trish Bennett
Award-winning poet James will read from his latest collection A Butterfly and Its Shadow, (Revival Press, 2024). There will be a festival launch of Trish’s first poetry collection Stench, (Arlen House, 2024).
Sponsor: Donegal ETB
Saturday, 18th October
Time: 8pm
Venue: Dillons Hotel
Admission: €5 at the door
The Jane Austen Event: Dr Sophia Hillan.
To mark the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, we are delighted to welcome back Dr Sophia Hillan to our tenth festival. The author of May, Lou and Cass: Jane Austen's Nieces in Ireland, she will be in conversation with Roy Greenslade.
Sponsor: La Maison
Sunday, 19th October
Time: 1 pm
Venue: Dillons Hotel
Admission: €5 at the door
The Brendan Behan Event - Peter Sheridan
Playwright, screenwriter and director Peter Sheridan will discuss how Brendan Behan has influenced him in his wide-reaching artistic career.
Sponsor: Cllr Donal Coyle
Sunday, 19th October
Time: 3 pm
Venue: Conwal Parish Church
Admission: €10/€5 at the door
Donegal Chamber Orchestra
Led by Orsolya Szabó-Yélamo and conducted by Víctor Yélamo; music by Ravel, Scarlatti, Kreisler, and Leroy Anderson; a celebration of Anniversaries!
Sunday, 19th October
Time: 5pm
Venue: Dillons Hotel
Free Event
Macalla Drama Group presents Towpath by Robert IIes
Welcome to afternoon theatre: a one-act comedy based on fleeting friendship between strangers. Mary Ruddy Lane directs the all-female cast.
Sponsor: La PaPa Coffee House
Sunday, 19th October
Time: 8pm
Venue: Dillons Hotel
Admission: €5 at the door
An Evening with Kieran Kelly
Well-known local author and playwright Kieran Kelly will give a talk on how County Donegal influences his writing. He is currently developing a new play entitled The Evicted, based on the Derryveagh Evictions
Sponsor: McGinley Motors Letterkenny