The air travel disruptions caused by the Icelandic volcano have resulted in many writers cancelling their readings at the Cúirt festival, but many others have stepped in to ensure the festival goes on.
The good news is that Rupert Thomson, Ian Jack, Claire Keegan, Daniyal Mueenuddin, and singer-songwriter Richard Hawley have made their way to Ireland by ferry.
Colum McCann (now reading on Saturday at 6.30pm ), Josh Ritter, Joyce Carol Oates, and James Lasdun are on standby waiting for flights out today and tomorrow.
Leading Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin is unable to make it to Galway but he will read in the city at a later date. He will be replaced by the internationally acclaimed Irish crime writer John Connolly and Declan Hughes for a reading tonight in the Town Hall Theatre at 8.30pm.
Spanish writer Enrique Juncosa is unable to make it to Galway due to aviation disruption but will be replaced by writer Ger Reidy. He will join Enda Wyley for Wine and Words at Cava Restaurant this evening at 6.15pm.
The Publishing in Canada event at Hotel Meyrick today at 3pm will not go ahead due to travel restrictions. However Words and Prose with AL Kennedy this evening at 6pm has been moved from Nun’s Island Theatre to the Town Hall due to ticket demands.
John Burnside is stuck in Italy due to aviation disruption and will be unable to make his reading in the Town Hall Theatre tomorrow at 6pm. He will be replaced by Irish poet Dennis O’Driscoll, who will read with Gerard Smyth.
The International Festival of Authors from Toronto will not make it to Galway due to the aviation disruptions but one of the writers from the group, Kate Pullinger, will make it to Galway and participate in a reading, the time and location of which has yet to be confirmed. The Canadian authors are rescheduling and coming to Cúirt next year.
For more information see www.cuirt.ie and the festival Twitter and Facebook pages. For bookings contact the Town Hall on 091 - 569777 or see www.tht.ie
