BROADCASTERS Peter Snow and Jenni Murray, authors Max Hastings and Colin Bateman and comedian Sean Hughes are just some of the names on the bill for this year's Aspects Irish Literature Festival in Bangor, Co Down. Now in its 22nd year, the festival runs from September 25 to 29 and will also feature Eoin Colfer, Brian McGilloway, Leesa Harker, Lemn Sissay, Paul Lynch and a celebration of CS Lewis. This year's festival programme consultant is acclaimed Co Down novelist Colin Bateman. "I did my first public appearance as a writer for Aspects in 1994 and have been a regular guest of the festival since then," he said. "It's very exciting to see it from the other side and to be involved in such a highly regarded event." Bateman will host a 'crime night' this year, discussing the state of Northern Irish crime fiction with a panel including Brian McGilloway, Stuart Neville and Ian Sansom. The festival will close with The Play of the Book from the Wireless Mystery Theatre, created by and starring Ian Sansom. Part lecture and part theatre with original music, Sansom's piece focuses on the madness and frustration of writing a book. One of the biggest names on the bill is writer and broadcaster Peter Snow (who was actually born in Dublin). He will be discussing his new book When Britain Burned the White House. BBC Radio 4's Jenni Murray, veteran journalist Sir Max Hastings and Eoin Colfer, the million-selling author of the Artemis Fowl series, are among the other highlights. Stand-up comic and author Sean Hughes will be a huge draw, while musical attractions at Aspects include Kevin Doherty and Pete Roe. There will be a masterclass in writing for television with Vanessa Haynes, a workshop for comic fans of all ages with Uproar Comics and even a literary walk.
In terms of film, Brian Desmond Hurst's Second World War film Theirs Is The Glory and The New Daughter (based on the short story by acclaimed Irish writer John Connolly) will be screened
? ? TALENT: : Clockwise from left, Jenni Murray, Sean Hughes and Peter Snow
life in the written word from Columbanus to Derek Mahon, to celebrate Bangor's 400th anniversary.
? For information visit www.aspectsfestival.com or call 028 9127 1200 or 028 9127 0069.
during the festival.
A special event curated by festival director Kenneth Irvine will explore Bangor's