Thurles Circling the Square festival will be fantastic

Thurles-born poet, Dennis O’Driscoll, was much-loved in his native town. In recent years his poetry has been celebrated with a festival that has grown bigger each year. 

Born in 1954 Dennis made a huge impact on all who knew him right through until his passing in 2012.

His memory is celebrated regularly and espiceally this  coming weekend when his poetry is celebrated at the Circling the Square Festival, named after the title of the poet's memorable essay about growing up in the town.

A fine array of poets from all over the country, complemented by fabulous local songsters and musicians, will serve up a feast of entertainment throughout the weekend over three events

The third annual Circling the Square Festival takes place in The Source Arts Centre by the banks of the Suir this October weekend with a host of activities for everyone. 

The festival brings many of the foremost poets from this country and beyond. 

Dennis O’Driscoll was an Irish poet, essayist, critic, and editor. 

Regarded as one of the best European poets of his time, Eileen Battersby considered him “the lyric equivalent of William Trevor” and a better poet ‘by far’ than Raymond Carver. 

Gerard Smyth regarded him as “one of poetry’s true champions” and certainly its most prodigious archivist. His book on Seamus Heaney is regarded as the definitive biography of the Nobel laureate.

Three main performances on Fri evening, Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening will intersperse powerful and inspiring poetry with magical music and song. 

The poets wil arrive from all over yet it is a festival that can be accessed by everyone and all who get along wil be able to relate to the event and the Thurles vibe. 

 Attendees at the festival include many respected names. The star-studded line up of poets includes Thomas McCarthy, Rita Ann Higgins, Annemarie Ní Churreáin, Louis De Paor, Mark Roper, Anne Tannam, Thomas Lynch, Molly Twomey, Victoria Kennefick, Jackie Lynam, Aidan Mathews, Victoria Melkovska, Eithne Lannon, Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, Iggy McGovern.

All will be complemented by musicians and singers across several genres, including Gina Oberoi-Engela, Hugh Buckley, Lorcan Lyons, Ed Dwan Quartet, Ceola, Pat O’Callaghan, Daniel Byrne, Tim V Smyth, Ashraf Taghiyev (percussion) and Anna Stepanova (saxophone, vocals) and more.

The program will also feature a school seminar; and two poetry workshops for beginners and emerging poets. 

A chaired panel discussion: ‘Finding the Words - What is Poetry Now?’ will interest many. 

Sunday will see a guided walk around Dennis O’Driscoll’s Thurles, and the festival will be wrapped up with a fun afternoon of poetry and music, including open mic poetry from emerging poets.

Advance tickets for all shows are available online at www.thesourceartscentre.ie

The get underway on the evening of Friday the 18th and continue on Saturday.  Tickets are available at the door for each performance so do get along.