Cúirt International Festival of Literature, which is curated this year by new Programme Director Emily Cullen and takes place in Galway on 23–29 April, includes a number of music events.

On Thursday 26 April, an event titled ‘Lyrics of Our Lives: The Art of Songwriting’ will feature singer/songwriters Julie Feeney, Paul Linehan of Frank and Walters, Brendan Murphy of The 4 of Us, Steve Wall of The Stunning and American musician Sharon Vaughn, whose songs have been recorded by Willie Nelson, Randy Travis, Waylon Jennings and Boyzone. 

Chaired by Tony Clayton-Lea, the event at the Róisín Dubh will explore the art of composing lyrics and uncover the inspiration behind some favourite songs. Paul Linehan will also host a workshop on Friday 27 April.

Danny Diamond and Tom French
On Friday also at Nun’s Island Theatre, poet Tom French and fiddle-player Danny Diamond will perform a new collaborative work titled What to Bring When We Leave. Tom French’s poetry draws on the traditional arts, folklore and rural Irish life; he writes about traditional music and the people who play it. Danny Diamond is a well-known fiddle-player and member of the band Slow Moving Clouds. He has released various solo and collaborative albums and his work moves between the traditional and the experimental. To Bring When We Leave is a Solstice Arts Centre commission produced by Belinda Quirke. 

On Saturday 28 April at 2pm at Nun’s Island Theatre, a focus on Irish-language poets will include poet and singer Marcus Mac Conghail who is a member of the band IMLÉ.

Alan Rusbridger and Finghin Collins
Finally, on Saturday evening at the Town Hall Theatre, former Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian and pianist Finghin Collins will share the stage for an evening of readings, music and lively discussion.

Rusbridger’s fascinating 2014 book Play It Again chronicles his experience of learning Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 while at the same time editing the Guardian and dealing with some of the major political and media stories of our time – from Wikileaks and Julia Assange to the News International phone hacking scandal. Renowned pianist Finghin Collins has recently recorded Chopin Recital on the claves label, which features the Ballade No. 4, Nocturnes and Mazurkas. Collins will perform Chopin on the night.

‘Play It Again – Conversation in Concert’ will be moderated by Editor of The Journal of Music, Toner Quinn.

For full programme details, visit www.cuirt.ie.