Family Fun at Immrama – Lismore Festival of Travel Writers 2009  

It’s not all about travel writing at Immrama 2009 – An action packed programme of family fun is planned for Sunday June 14, at picturesque heritage town of Lismore for the Immrama – Festival of Travel Writers 2009. 

The festival will host its traditional afternoon of free family fun and entertainment in the heritage town’s picturesque Millennium Park, highlights include the Galway Circus Project & the Wobbly Circus, music from ‘Carouse’ with the amazing break beat dancers starring Ireland’s got Talent Star Jack Lynch, a Farmers Market Extravaganza and much more. 

A number of ‘Fringe Events’ are also planned including Open Gardens at Bonnie’s Bouquets and Ballyin Gardens throughout the weekend. A Farmers and Country Market featuring ‘A Taste of West Waterford’ will also take place on Sunday at Lismore Castle Avenue showcasing the best of local produce. A Gregorian Mass and open gardens at Lismore Castle will also take place on Sunday June 14. Lismore Castle Arts will host their new contemporary exhibition ‘United Technologies’ and a spectacular sculpture exhibition of large scale works by wood turner and sculpture Liam O’Neill will be on show at Tourin House and Gardens. On Sunday ‘an interview with James Ballantyne’ author of ‘Lismore – Autobiography of an Irish town 1937-1954’  Meanwhile in nearby Dungarvan a concert will be given by The RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet. Acknowledged as one of Europe's most successful ensembles , they will perform in Dungarvan Town Hall on Friday June 12^th .  

The extraordinary programme of literary events include audiences with top international travel writers Kate Adie, Fergal Keane, Dervla Murphy, Manchán Magan, Catherine de Courcy, Rory Maclean, Dermot Somers and Donal Brady and a literary workshop with Annie Rogers and Mary Branley all focused on this year’s festival theme ‘Extraordinary Travels, Extraordinary Lives’ exploring in the context of their global travels and how those journeys influenced their lives. 

A children’s book launch by Alan Murphy and creative writing workshops in both Irish and English will also take place, there will also be a number of bi-lingual creative writing workshops for primary students. An open poetry session will give new and emerging poets the opportunity to present and discuss their works. 

A new event will close Immrama 2009 when ‘An Evening with Dervla Murphy’ will take place in Fortwilliam House where Ireland’s best loved travel writer will talk to Manchán Magan about her travels and her work.  

Tickets for all events including a discounted season ticket are available from 058-53803 or 058-54975.

A full listing is available on www.lismoreimmrama.com.