This year will mark the 15th edition of The Festival and audiences are in for a treat with a promising programme of poetry, contemporary fiction, crime writing, the art of journalism, words on film and a striking and a memorable exhibition in The Crescent’s Cafe space.

Belfast Book Festival 2025

Belfast Book Festival 2025 takes place over eight days in June with a vibrant line-up of events and activities for adults and children in the Festival’s Hub – The Crescent Arts Centre.

Belfast Book Festival

Wild Stories: Why Nature Needs you – Ruby Free & Guests
Wild Stories: Why Nature Needs you – Ruby Free & Guests
Belfast Book Festival

Wild Stories: Why Nature Needs you – Ruby Free & Guests

1.14 KM
Sun, 08 Jun 2025, 12:00pm

Join for a conversation with Author, Illustrator and Conservation Biologist Ruby Free and leading community activists.

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Family Matters: Claire Lynch & Roisín O’Donnell
Family Matters: Claire Lynch & Roisín O’Donnell
Belfast Book Festival

Family Matters: Claire Lynch & Roisín O’Donnell

1.14 KM
Tue, 10 Jun 2025, 6:00pm

New from Claire Lynch, A Family Matter is an emotionally charged novel about a mother following her heart,…

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Peachicks & Elephants! With Clive McFarland & Ellan Rankin
Peachicks & Elephants! With Clive McFarland & Ellan Rankin
Belfast Book Festival

Peachicks & Elephants! With Clive McFarland & Ellan Rankin

1.14 KM
Sat, 07 Jun 2025, 11:00am

What is a Peachick? And what if there really was an Elephant in the room? Join 2 fabulous…

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Page to Screen: Kathryn Ferguson, Wendy Erskine & Stacey Gregg
Page to Screen: Kathryn Ferguson, Wendy Erskine & Stacey Gregg
Belfast Book Festival

Page to Screen: Kathryn Ferguson, Wendy Erskine & Stacey Gregg

1.14 KM
Sun, 08 Jun 2025, 2:30pm

How does a short story journey from page to the screen? How does this journey come about, who’s…

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Fighting Words NI: Showcase
Fighting Words NI: Showcase
Belfast Book Festival

Fighting Words NI: Showcase

1.14 KM
Sat, 07 Jun 2025, 1:00pm

Join creative writing youth charity Fighting Words NI for this 1-hour showcase of some of the most original,…

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Pathways to Publication: Panel Discussions for Writers
Pathways to Publication: Panel Discussions for Writers
Belfast Book Festival

Pathways to Publication: Panel Discussions for Writers

1.14 KM
Thu, 05 Jun 2025, 1:00pm

Calling all writers - new and seasoned! Join for an afternoon of advice, tips and industry insight.

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Speculative Fiction With Rosemary Jenkinson
Speculative Fiction With Rosemary Jenkinson
Belfast Book Festival

Speculative Fiction With Rosemary Jenkinson

1.14 KM
Thu, 12 Jun 2025, 10:00am

Join for an engaging, thought-provoking workshop led by Belfast writer and playwright Rosemary Jenkinson.

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Short Stories from the North: Martin Doyle, Declan Meade & Tara McEvoy
Short Stories from the North: Martin Doyle, Declan Meade & Tara McEvoy
Belfast Book Festival

Short Stories from the North: Martin Doyle, Declan Meade & Tara McEvoy

1.14 KM
Thu, 05 Jun 2025, 7:30pm

Join for a lively debate on the past, present and future of the Northern Irish short story, exploring…

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Life on the Fringes: Eoin McNamee & Darran Anderson
Life on the Fringes: Eoin McNamee & Darran Anderson
Belfast Book Festival

Life on the Fringes: Eoin McNamee & Darran Anderson

1.14 KM
Mon, 09 Jun 2025, 5:30pm

Don’t miss this genre-bending discussion with two of Ireland’s most exciting writers.

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Gráinne O’Hare: Thirst Trap
Gráinne O’Hare: Thirst Trap
Belfast Book Festival

Gráinne O’Hare: Thirst Trap

1.14 KM
Thu, 12 Jun 2025, 7:30pm

Join writer Gráinne O’Hare on the publication day of her debut novel, exploring the friendships that endure through…

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Sam McAlister & Lucia Osborne-Crowley: Speaking Truth to Power
Sam McAlister & Lucia Osborne-Crowley: Speaking Truth to Power
Belfast Book Festival

Sam McAlister & Lucia Osborne-Crowley: Speaking Truth to Power

1.14 KM
Fri, 06 Jun 2025, 8:00pm

In conversation with Festival Patron Lucy Caldwell, this is an event not to be missed!

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Agatha Christie’s Marple: Mark Aldridge with Jan Carson
Agatha Christie’s Marple: Mark Aldridge with Jan Carson
Belfast Book Festival

Agatha Christie’s Marple: Mark Aldridge with Jan Carson

1.14 KM
Mon, 09 Jun 2025, 7:30pm

Join Mark Aldridge as he discusses his new book Agatha Christie’s Marple: Expert on Wickedness (HarperCollins, 2024) with…

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Writing & Animation: Books & Screen
Writing & Animation: Books & Screen
Belfast Book Festival

Writing & Animation: Books & Screen

1.14 KM
Fri, 06 Jun 2025, 4:00pm

Join two writers and creative practitioners making work for young people - Máire Zephf and Samantha Porciello -…

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An Evening with Tessa Hadley: Hosted by Lucy Caldwell
An Evening with Tessa Hadley: Hosted by Lucy Caldwell
Belfast Book Festival

An Evening with Tessa Hadley: Hosted by Lucy Caldwell

1.14 KM
Sat, 07 Jun 2025, 7:00pm

Join Tessa Hadley and Lucy Caldwell for a conversation about fiction, the writing life and the pleasures of…

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1:1 Portfolio Review: Illustration with Anna Morrison
1:1 Portfolio Review: Illustration with Anna Morrison
Belfast Book Festival

1:1 Portfolio Review: Illustration with Anna Morrison

1.14 KM
Thu, 05 Jun 2025, 10:00am

Illustrators and graphic designers - your portfolio is your calling-card!

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A Flat Place: Noreen Masud in conversation with Suad Aldarra
A Flat Place: Noreen Masud in conversation with Suad Aldarra
Belfast Book Festival

A Flat Place: Noreen Masud in conversation with Suad Aldarra

1.14 KM
Sun, 08 Jun 2025, 5:30pm

Noreen Masud has always loved flat landscapes, from beaches when the tide is out to drained farmland and…

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Rethinking the Swinging Sixties with Peter Doggett
Rethinking the Swinging Sixties with Peter Doggett
Belfast Book Festival

Rethinking the Swinging Sixties with Peter Doggett

1.14 KM
Sun, 08 Jun 2025, 2:00pm

The 1960s have passed into popular legend as the era of creative freedom and sexual liberation.

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Hidden Depths: Writing Male Characters with Garrett Carr & Michael Pedersen
Hidden Depths: Writing Male Characters with Garrett Carr & Michael Pedersen
Belfast Book Festival

Hidden Depths: Writing Male Characters with Garrett Carr & Michael Pedersen

1.14 KM
Sat, 07 Jun 2025, 2:30pm

Novelists Garrett Carr and Michael Pedersen both have a gift for writing about men.

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The Literary Legacy of Edna O’Brien
The Literary Legacy of Edna O’Brien
Belfast Book Festival

The Literary Legacy of Edna O’Brien

1.14 KM
Sun, 08 Jun 2025, 7:00pm

Leading authors and filmmakers discuss their favourite Edna O’Brien books at this special event at Belfast Book Festival.

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Robert Fisk: Reporting from the Frontline – Nelofer Pazira-Fisk
Robert Fisk: Reporting from the Frontline – Nelofer Pazira-Fisk
Belfast Book Festival

Robert Fisk: Reporting from the Frontline – Nelofer Pazira-Fisk

1.14 KM
Tue, 10 Jun 2025, 6:00pm

Join award-winning journalist and filmmaker Nelofer Pazira-Fisk to discuss the legacy of her late husband Robert Fisk, a…

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Mind Your Language! Jan Carson & Clara Ministral in Conversation
Mind Your Language! Jan Carson & Clara Ministral in Conversation
Belfast Book Festival

Mind Your Language! Jan Carson & Clara Ministral in Conversation

1.14 KM
Sun, 08 Jun 2025, 5:00pm

Writers and their translators often work closely together to bring about the finest possible translations.

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Over the Top Under the Radar: Gary Younge & Carys Afoko
Over the Top Under the Radar: Gary Younge & Carys Afoko
Belfast Book Festival

Over the Top Under the Radar: Gary Younge & Carys Afoko

1.14 KM
Thu, 12 Jun 2025, 6:00pm

Award-winning journalist Gary Younge and communications guru Carys Afoko discuss their trailblazing podcast, Over The Top Under The…

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Priya Mistry & the Lost Treasure with Babita Sharma
Priya Mistry & the Lost Treasure with Babita Sharma
Belfast Book Festival

Priya Mistry & the Lost Treasure with Babita Sharma

10 - 12 Jun 2025

Priya is back! She’s Mistry by name, and mysteries are her game . . .

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Roddy Doyle: In conversation with Glenn Patterson
Roddy Doyle: In conversation with Glenn Patterson
Belfast Book Festival

Roddy Doyle: In conversation with Glenn Patterson

1.14 KM
Mon, 09 Jun 2025, 8:00pm

Roddy will be in conversation with Glenn Patterson on the life of the ever-memorable character, and no doubt…

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Unconscious Bias With Livingstone Thompson
Unconscious Bias With Livingstone Thompson
Belfast Book Festival

Unconscious Bias With Livingstone Thompson

1.14 KM
Thu, 12 Jun 2025, 3:00pm

In this session, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of what unconscious bias means for you, and for those…

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Irish Writers Centre Showcase: Young Writer Delegates & New Voices: North 2025
Irish Writers Centre Showcase: Young Writer Delegates & New Voices: North 2025
Belfast Book Festival

Irish Writers Centre Showcase: Young Writer Delegates & New Voices: North 2025

1.14 KM
Sun, 08 Jun 2025, 3:00pm

Shining a light on exciting new talent, this special event hosted by Chris Wright features readings by awardees…

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Seeing the World as a Writer With Eoin McNamee
Seeing the World as a Writer With Eoin McNamee
Belfast Book Festival

Seeing the World as a Writer With Eoin McNamee

1.14 KM
Mon, 09 Jun 2025, 10:00am

Writing reflects how you see the world.

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Book Cover Design with Anna Morrison
Book Cover Design with Anna Morrison
Belfast Book Festival

Book Cover Design with Anna Morrison

1.14 KM
Sun, 08 Jun 2025, 12:00pm

Are you interested in translating the inner world of books into captivating book covers?

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Managing Your Creative Collaborations: Society of Authors
Managing Your Creative Collaborations: Society of Authors
Belfast Book Festival

Managing Your Creative Collaborations: Society of Authors

1.14 KM
Thu, 05 Jun 2025, 11:00am

Join two expert advisors from the Society of Authors, Elizabeth Haylett Clark (Senior Contracts Advisor) and Elsa Woodmeade…

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Belfast Book Festival
Belfast Book Festival
Belfast Book Festival

Belfast Book Festival

1.14 KM
05 - 12 Jun 2025

The 15th edition of the Belfast Book Festival will return 5-12 June.

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Write So! with The Stinging Fly
Write So! with The Stinging Fly
Belfast Book Festival

Write So! with The Stinging Fly

1.14 KM
Fri, 06 Jun 2025, 10:00am

Bring your laptop, notepad and creativity to this immersive writing experience with The Stinging Fly.

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Kristian Nairn: Beyond the Throne
Kristian Nairn: Beyond the Throne
Festivals

Kristian Nairn: Beyond the Throne

1.14 KM
Thu, 05 Jun 2025, 7:30pm

Beyond the Throne is the first memoir to share behind‑the‑scenes stories of Game of Thrones, from actor Kristian…

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When Circus Came to Belfast! A Storytelling & Circus Skills Workshop
When Circus Came to Belfast! A Storytelling & Circus Skills Workshop
Belfast Book Festival

When Circus Came to Belfast! A Storytelling & Circus Skills Workshop

1.14 KM
Sat, 07 Jun 2025, 9:30am

They start the weekend of Belfast Book Festival with activities for young people!

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Craving Connection: John Patrick McHugh & Thomas Morris
Craving Connection: John Patrick McHugh & Thomas Morris
Belfast Book Festival

Craving Connection: John Patrick McHugh & Thomas Morris

1.14 KM
Wed, 11 Jun 2025, 5:30pm

Two literary stars discuss fiction, self-discovery and the search for connection.

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An evening with the Seamus Heaney Centre Fellows
An evening with the Seamus Heaney Centre Fellows
Belfast Book Festival

An evening with the Seamus Heaney Centre Fellows

1.14 KM
Thu, 12 Jun 2025, 7:30pm

Join this year’s fellows from the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s University in conversation with the Centre’s Director…

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Wendy Erskine: The Benefactors
Wendy Erskine: The Benefactors
Belfast Book Festival

Wendy Erskine: The Benefactors

1.14 KM
Wed, 11 Jun 2025, 8:00pm

Join to celebrate Wendy Erskine’s debut novel at this conversation with Belfast Book Festival Patron Lucy Caldwell.

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How to Raise a Viking with Helen Russell
How to Raise a Viking with Helen Russell
Belfast Book Festival

How to Raise a Viking with Helen Russell

1.14 KM
Sat, 07 Jun 2025, 7:00pm

After a decade living in Denmark and raising a family, British journalist Helen Russell noticed that Nordic children…

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The Brighton Bomb: Narrative Approaches
The Brighton Bomb: Narrative Approaches
Belfast Book Festival

The Brighton Bomb: Narrative Approaches

1.14 KM
Wed, 11 Jun 2025, 6:00pm

Join for a discussion about different narrative approaches to the 1984 Brighton bombing, the biggest assault on a…

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Page-turning Thrillers: Andrea Carter & Brian McGilloway
Page-turning Thrillers: Andrea Carter & Brian McGilloway
Belfast Book Festival

Page-turning Thrillers: Andrea Carter & Brian McGilloway

1.14 KM
Tue, 10 Jun 2025, 7:30pm

Immerse yourself in this conversation with two of Ireland’s finest crime writers, discussing their latest books with novelist…

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Irish Writers Centre: Information Session
Irish Writers Centre: Information Session
Belfast Book Festival

Irish Writers Centre: Information Session

1.14 KM
Sun, 08 Jun 2025, 12:30pm

The Irish Writers Centre is the leading development and resource organisation for writers.

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Poetry Slam!
Poetry Slam!
Belfast Book Festival

Poetry Slam!

1.14 KM
Fri, 06 Jun 2025, 7:30pm

Poetry NI presents the Belfast Book Festival Slam 2025!

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Macha Press: Experimental Poetry – Sam Furlong & Susanna Galbraith
Macha Press: Experimental Poetry – Sam Furlong & Susanna Galbraith
Belfast Book Festival

Macha Press: Experimental Poetry – Sam Furlong & Susanna Galbraith

1.14 KM
Wed, 11 Jun 2025, 7:30pm

Recently founded by seven poets based on the island of Ireland, Macha Press is dedicated to work that…

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The Crescent Writers Read
The Crescent Writers Read
Belfast Book Festival

The Crescent Writers Read

1.14 KM
Wed, 11 Jun 2025, 7:30pm

Come along and hear a selection of the amazing range of work that participants produce throughout the year…

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Reframing Ekphrasis with Padraig Regan
Reframing Ekphrasis with Padraig Regan
Belfast Book Festival

Reframing Ekphrasis with Padraig Regan

1.14 KM
Sat, 07 Jun 2025, 10:00am

Ekphrasis is the vivid description of artworks through words.

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Belfast Zine Fair In partnership with Paperxclips
Belfast Zine Fair In partnership with Paperxclips
Belfast Book Festival

Belfast Zine Fair In partnership with Paperxclips

1.14 KM
Sun, 08 Jun 2025, 11:00am

Grab your scissors and a sheet of A4: Belfast Zine Fair is back for an afternoon of swapping,…

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Editing & Revising Short Stories with Thomas Morris
Editing & Revising Short Stories with Thomas Morris
Belfast Book Festival

Editing & Revising Short Stories with Thomas Morris

1.14 KM
Tue, 10 Jun 2025, 2:00pm

Do you feel like there's a gap between what you're capable of achieving as a writer and what…

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Writing Belfast: Stories of a Changing City – Paul McVeigh
Writing Belfast: Stories of a Changing City – Paul McVeigh
Belfast Book Festival

Writing Belfast: Stories of a Changing City – Paul McVeigh

1.14 KM
Tue, 10 Jun 2025, 8:00pm

Written with Paul McVeigh’s characteristic flair and Belfast wit, I Hear You (Salt, 2025) is a vibrant collection…

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The Stories We Tell: Kathryn Scanlan & Wendy Erskine
The Stories We Tell: Kathryn Scanlan & Wendy Erskine
Belfast Book Festival

The Stories We Tell: Kathryn Scanlan & Wendy Erskine

1.14 KM
Fri, 06 Jun 2025, 3:30pm

Join for an illuminating conversation on how different stories are shaped and formed, hosted by Declan Meade, founding…

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Time to Thrive with Ross White
Time to Thrive with Ross White
Belfast Book Festival

Time to Thrive with Ross White

1.14 KM
Wed, 11 Jun 2025, 1:30pm

With burnout and disillusionment on the rise, how do we succeed and feel well at the same time?

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Starting your Substack newsletter with Seán Óg Ó Murchú
Starting your Substack newsletter with Seán Óg Ó Murchú
Belfast Book Festival

Starting your Substack newsletter with Seán Óg Ó Murchú

1.14 KM
Sat, 07 Jun 2025, 2:00pm

In this workshop Seán will share his approach to building a profile and generating work.

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Supertato Silliness with Paul Linnet
Supertato Silliness with Paul Linnet
Belfast Book Festival

Supertato Silliness with Paul Linnet

1.14 KM
Sat, 07 Jun 2025, 1:00pm

Join Paul Linnet, co-creator of the bestselling Supertato picture books, in a riotous celebration of everyone’s favourite supermarket…

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A Special Event with Oliver Jeffers
A Special Event with Oliver Jeffers
Belfast Book Festival

A Special Event with Oliver Jeffers

1.14 KM
Sat, 07 Jun 2025, 3:00pm

Join multi-award-winning picture book creator Oliver Jeffers for a special event at Belfast Book Festival, for children and…

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Writing for Our Times: Hannah Lavery, Wayne Miller & Róisín Lanigan
Writing for Our Times: Hannah Lavery, Wayne Miller & Róisín Lanigan
Belfast Book Festival

Writing for Our Times: Hannah Lavery, Wayne Miller & Róisín Lanigan

1.14 KM
Tue, 10 Jun 2025, 5:30pm

Join for a conversation on the power of writing in turbulent times.

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Beatlemania: The Best Books About The Beatles
Beatlemania: The Best Books About The Beatles
Belfast Book Festival

Beatlemania: The Best Books About The Beatles

1.14 KM
Sun, 08 Jun 2025, 7:30pm

More books have been written about the Beatles than any other performers in entertainment history.

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An Evening with Eimear McBride
An Evening with Eimear McBride
Belfast Book Festival

An Evening with Eimear McBride

1.14 KM
Mon, 09 Jun 2025, 6:00pm

Described by Anne Enright as “the natural heir to Joyce and Beckett”, Eimear is known for her virtuosic,…

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Rhythm & Rhyme With Libraries NI
Rhythm & Rhyme With Libraries NI
Belfast Book Festival

Rhythm & Rhyme With Libraries NI

1.14 KM
09 - 11 Jun 2025

Rhythm and Rhyme introduces children aged 0-4yrs to nursery rhymes, actions and music interaction.

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Poet in Residence, Niamh Twomey, Presents
Poet in Residence, Niamh Twomey, Presents
Belfast Book Festival

Poet in Residence, Niamh Twomey, Presents

1.14 KM
Thu, 12 Jun 2025, 5:30pm

Join for an event presented by Belfast Book Festival’s Poet in Residence, Niamh Twomey.

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Harbour Doubts: Hands-On! Bebe Ashley & Anthony Sinclair
Harbour Doubts: Hands-On! Bebe Ashley & Anthony Sinclair
Belfast Book Festival

Harbour Doubts: Hands-On! Bebe Ashley & Anthony Sinclair

1.14 KM
Wed, 11 Jun 2025, 5:30pm

Join Bebe Ashley for a special preview of her second poetry collection Harbour Doubts.

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Reading Elizabeth Bowen with Tessa Hadley
Reading Elizabeth Bowen with Tessa Hadley
Belfast Book Festival

Reading Elizabeth Bowen with Tessa Hadley

1.14 KM
Sat, 07 Jun 2025, 2:00pm

Join the award-winning author of The Party and Late in the Day for this close reading seminar on…

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