Ballyscullion park inaugural book festival 2024
The Mulholland family was delighted to welcome visitors to the inaugural Ballyscullion Park Book Festival in May 2024. Literature has always been at the heart of the family history, with connections to Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë.
The theme of the event was based around the late 18th Century when the original Bishop’s Palace was built at Ballyscullion Park; the landscape and literature, and how people lived then. Talks took place in venues around the beautiful walled garden in the grounds of Ballyscullion House. The original house built on the estate in the 1780s was the Earl Bishop of Derry’s palace, which is now in ruins.
Guests were transported by talks from eminent writers and historians about this fascinating century and beyond, up to the present day.
Garden and landscape design and planting also blossomed with the new aesthetic of the Picturesque, and with plants collected by dedicated plantsmen from all over the world.
A childhood spent in the beautiful rural landscape around Bellaghy and Lough Beg provided inspiration for Seamus Heaney’s poetry, and W B Yeats also found poetic inspiration in the parklands of country houses of Co Sligo. Guests learned how our contemporary novelists and poets also respond to the spirit of place in ancient Irish landscapes.
The story of Turlough O’Carolan, the blind harpist, who brought traditional Irish music into the drawing rooms of Ireland was performed by Celtic Grace. While guests were able to immerse themselves in the poetry and writings of WB Yeats 100 years after he received the Nobel Prize for Poetry.
The Festival Programme consisted of talks on a wide range of subjects, with several inspiring speakers to choose from each day.
TWO KEYNOTE EVENTS FEATURED:
- On Saturday afternoon there was a show by Celtic Grace celebrating the life and Celtic Baroque music of Turlough O’Carolan. Drinks and canapés were served at this event.
- On Sunday afternoon, there was a performance of poetry and music to celebrate the centenary of W B Yeats being awarded the Nobel Prize for Poetry.
Refreshments were available throughout the Festival from a variety of first class food vendors, sited within the walled garden.
Our speakers were on hand between talks to sign copies of their books and for a chat.
