Seeing the Words Hearing the Words

A celebration of the quiet power and beauty of one of Ireland's most important literary figures, John McGahern.

Audiences will have the opportunity to:

Hear writers and participants discuss how McGahern's words shape our sense of place, memory and human connection

Listen to dramatized passages from his short stories

Enjoy the acclaimed and award-winning film adaptation of his final novel That They May Face The Rising Sun, following this day-time event.

"The writer's job is to tell the truth about life" - John McGahern

Speakers will include:
Eamon Maher, Derek Hand, Kathleen Costello-Sullivan, Marie Louise O Donnell, Alexandra Maclennan, Father Liam Kelly, Barry Houlihan, Philip Dolan
and Pat Collins — Director of That They May Face The Rising Sun

Film adaptation of That They May Face The Rising Sun, followed by discussion with the Director Pat Collins | Sat 12 Sep 2026 | 7.30pm | Art Deco, Ballymote