Echoes: Maeve Binchy's Literary Festival on this Weekend!

Julia Labedz
Oct 2, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Mar 3

Celebrate the life & work of Maeve Binchy & other writers at Echoes Maeve Binchy Literary Festival! On from October 4th-6th, the festival takes place in Maeve Binchy’s home town of Dalkey where Maeve’s writing & social commentary provides the inspiration for contemporary discussion & performances.

Festival Friday – Maeve Binchy Double Bill

ECHOES opens on Friday evening of the festival weekend with a performance of some of Maeve’s work.

Rehearsed Reading of “Chancery Lane” from “Victoria Line, Central Line” by Maeve Binchy, in a new adaptation, directed by Conall Morrison. Wanting to sue rich banker Charles Benson for breach of contract, show-stopping dancer Jilly Twilly enlists a barrister’s help… It’s Binchy at her best!

Maeve Binchy’s “Minding Frankie” adapted for stage by Shay Linehan, performed by Michael Heavey. This is a story about unconventional families, relationships which aren’t quite what they seem, and a child who finds a home at the heart of a caring community.

Friday 4th October:19.30 pm

Home Place

An exciting day of conversations, interviews and readings featuring:

Cecelia Ahern, Jan Carson, Colm O’Regan, Liz Nugent, Oliver Callan, Edel Coffey, Anne Griffin, Jamie O’Connell, Zoe Miller, Brian McGilloway, Andrea Mara, Kevin Curran, Melatu-Uche Okorie, Olha Khoroshevska, Sam Blake, Billy Keane, Andrea Carter, Caroline Erskine, Katherine McSharry, Niall MacMonagle, John Patrick McHugh, Sarah Binchy and Gordon Snell.

Saturday October 5th:9.30am – 17.30pm

Guided Walk – Marvellously Maeve

Enjoy an exclusive immersion in the life and times of world-famous author Maeve Binchy in her adored hometown of Dalkey! Begin in the Writers’ Gallery with knowledgeable guides & a video of Maeve talking about her writing.

“I thought everyone came from a place like this…until we went to see the world and discovered we were spoiled rotten”.

Hear the story of the Gordon Snell rose. Quench your thirst afterwards in the Queens next door.

Sunday October 6th: 11.00am

Aches and Pains

A performance of Maeve Binchy’s “Aches and Pains”, adapted for stage by Shay Linehan, directed by Margaret Dunne. Maeve regales us with both hilarious and poignant details of her hip operation.

With Caitríona Ní Threasaigh as Ann and Michaeal Heavey as Stan. Sunday October 6th: 15:00 pm