PICTURES: Granard Booktown Festival draws big names and even bigger crowds to Longford

The popular literary festival took place in Granard last weekend, April 17-19

Kicking off a weekend of much-anticipated events last weekend, April 17, was the inaugural Conor Gearty Memorial Lecture. The lecture - which was named in honour of the highly regarded Longford-born law professor who sadly passed away in September last year and who himself had addressed the festival last April – was delivered by Professor Fergus D’Arcy and focused on the subject of Granard son, James Bronterre O’Brien. In attendance on the evening was Professor Gearty’s family. His brother, esteemed solicitor Frank Gearty, told the Longford Leader of his delight to be in attendance. “I had the pleasure just now of coming from the inaugural lecture of the Granard Booktown Festival, which was given by Professor Fergus D’Arcy. A fascinating talk on James O'Brien, a fabulous man born and granted who immigrated and made good in academic circles, and then in radical circles in Britain in the 19th century." "Mirrored by my late brother Connor, who passed away last September, and who gave a similar lecture here in Granard Booktown Festival last year in April of 2025. It was a great pleasure to be at this lecture in memory of Conor and to witness such a lovely talk.” Read: 'A scholar and a gentleman' -Flurry of tributes paid to distinguished Longford professor Later that evening, comedian Jarlath Regan took to the stage alongside journalist Aoife Barry in the School Hall where he regaled audience members with plenty of conversation and trademark wit. Saturday’s line-up treated attendees to a wide variety of topics and speakers, including British author Guy Stagg, Irish novelist Sebastian Barry, and author and teacher ‘Irish with Mollie’ to name just a few. A highlight of the day was a captivating conversation between writer Jenny McShane and Longford’s own Anne-Marie Tomchak in Granard Library. Also on the day’s list of events was a beautiful celebration of the late writer and broadcaster, Manchán Magan, who was himself a guest speaker at the festival in 2023 and 2024. Manchán’s Granard PICTURES: Granard Booktown Festival draws big names and even bigger crowds to Longford By Tara King News Journalist / Multimedia

The popular literary festival took place in Granard last weekend, April 17-19 1 . Miriam O'Callaghan in conversation with Belinda McKeon Picture: Shelley Corcoran

2 . In attendance at the Conor Gearty Memorial Lecture: Rebecca Tallon de Havvilland with Rosemary Gaynor Picture: Shelley Corcoran

3 . In attendance at the Granard Miscellany Event: Marian Kiernan, Seamus Finnan, and Sr Maeve Brady Picture: Shelley Corcoran

4 . Author Guy Stagg and Granard Booktown co-director Ronan O'Toole Picture: Shelley Corcoran