Category Archives: Kells Hay Festival

The annual delight that is the Hay Festival in Kells. It’s better than Christmas!

The Kingdoms of Kevin Barry

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Geri Schear

It has been said that if Roddy Doyle and Nick  Cave could procreate, Kevin Barry would be the result. I can see that. Beneath that bright and thoughtful exterior, there lies a naughty schoolboy with a profound sense of the … Continue reading →

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The Occupational Hazards of Liz Nugent

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Geri Schear

At one point during her appearance at the Hay Festival in Kells, Liz Nugent mentions that she sometimes dreams about committing murder. Does anyone else do this? To my surprise, I’m the only one to admit, yes, I do it, … Continue reading →

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The Man from Clones Takes the Stage

Posted on June 29, 2016 by Geri Schear

Yesterday, I spotted a tree that looked like an orchestra conductor. He wore a top hat and held his baton high in his gnarled hands. In his knots and wild branches, in the bravado of his stance, he reminded me … Continue reading →

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Maura McHugh at Kells Hay Festival

Posted on June 27, 2016 by Geri Schear

Maura McHugh came to Kells on Saturday to talk about writing for the visual media. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect. When you think about it, it’s a topic as broad as it is tall. In fact, … Continue reading →

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The Hay Festival Kells Rises

Posted on June 26, 2016 by Geri Schear

It’s that time of year again. The shop windows are full of books, the banners are flying, and the town is humming. Yes, my honeys, the Hay Festival has returned to Kells. If you are a fan of the arts … Continue reading →

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Roddy Doyle, Ha-Ha-Ha — The Kells Hay Festival Part 3

Posted on July 1, 2015 by Geri Schear

If you were to see Roddy Doyle in the street and have no clue who he was, you’d probably think he was a character in Star Trek: The Next Generation. A genial engineer, perhaps. Good at quantum mechanics and quick with a … Continue reading →

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Martina Devlin and the Witches — Kells Hay Festival Part 2

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Geri Schear

My first thoughts for writing about the last day of the Hay Festival in Kells was to cover all the events I attended in one slightly squashy report. But how do you squash Marian Keyes with anyone (I don’t think … Continue reading →

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Last Day of the Hay Festival in Kells, Part 1

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Geri Schear

Laughs, chills, and thoughtfulness — this was the last day of the Hay Festival for me this year. There’s a lot to cover, so I’m going to start with the Queen of the Fest: Marian Keyes If you were to … Continue reading →

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24-and-a-Half Hours in Kells at the Hay Festival

Posted on June 28, 2015 by Geri Schear

Every year it’s the same: the Hay Festival programme for Kells is released and I spend hours, hours, I tell you! agonising over what events I absolutely have to attend. Then, I remake the list because another event catches my … Continue reading →

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Nothing Like a Dame — Lynda La Plante at the Hay Festival

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Geri Schear

Lynda La Plante is holding court on the Eigrid stage at the Hay Festival, Kells. She’s relating how the final series of Prime Suspect took so many liberties with the character of her hero Jane Tennison, to the point where she … Continue reading →

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