Quills and the Quarter: Exploring the Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival 2024 Podcast

In this conversation, Phil O’Kennedy speaks with James Acheson, an English teacher and member of the Letterkenny Literary Festival. They discuss James's early love for reading, his influences in writing, and his aspirations to create a writers' group. James shares his experiences as a teacher, emphasising the importance of inspiring students to appreciate literature beyond school assignments. The conversation also touches on the upcoming literary festival and James's excitement to be part of it.

In this conversation, Phil O’Kennedy interviews Pat McCart, a seasoned journalist with extensive experience in the media landscape of Ireland, particularly in Derry. Pat shares his journey from studying business to discovering his passion for journalism, recounting his early days at the Derry People and his transition to RTE. He reflects on the challenges faced during the Troubles in Derry, significant moments in the city's history, and his proudest achievements. Pat also discusses his recent book, 'War Peace and the Derry Journal,' and offers advice for aspiring journalists. The conversation concludes with insights on the role of public service broadcasting and the upcoming Letterkenny Literary Festival.

In this conversation, Phil O’Kennedy interviews Roy Greenslade, a retired journalist, about his career in journalism and his book on Irish landlordism. They discuss topics such as the evolution of journalism, the influence of social media, the power of the mainstream media, and the importance of literary festivals. Greenslade shares insights into his early years in journalism, his experiences working with different newspapers, and his views on the current state of the media industry.

In this episode, my guest is Yvonne Reddin, a journalist, travel writer and author. We dive into a wide-ranging conversation about her experiences in journalism, the craft of writing and her passion for travel. Yvonne shares valuable insights on choosing the right course and college for studying journalism, emphasising the crucial role of social media and networking in the field. She provides a glimpse into the art of conducting interviews and the importance of thorough research, while also discussing the unique challenges and rewards of being a writer on the road. Yvonne's love for Donegal shines through as does her excitement for future projects including her forthcoming appearance at the Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival as well as her desire to write a book on Alzheimer's. We also explore the delicate balance of finding time for personal projects while juggling a busy writing career.

In this podcast, Phil O’Kennedy speaks with 2 members of the Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival Organising Committee, one of the festival founders Donnan Harvey and the Festival Creative Director, Mary Turley-McGrath. The conversation with Donnan explores the origins, growth, and impact of the Letterkenny Literary Festival, highlighting its connection to literary figures like Jane Austen and Brendan Behan They also discuss the festival's evolution, themes, community engagement, and innovative approaches, including writing competitions and adaptations during COVID-19. The dialogue concludes with a vision for the festival's future as a literary destination in Donegal. Phil then discuss with Mary's Turley McGrath how she first got involved in the festival in 2021 and her role since then in shaping the festival, the importance of competitions, challenges faced in organising the festival, community engagement, and the significance of local talent. Mary also shares her festival creative process and how individuals can get involved with the festival.