Binchy was an Irish novelist, playwright, short story writer, columnist, and speaker; she passed away in 2012.
The festival takes place in Dalkey, Binchy’s hometown, and is inspired by her writing and social commentary.
The 2024 festival will run from October 4 to 6 and will include a variety of events.
On Saturday, October 5, attendees can expect a full day of conversations, interviews and readings with authors including Cecelia Ahern, Colm O’Regan, Jan Carson, Liz Nugent, Edel Coffey and Jamie O’Connell.
Other highlights include a performance of Binchy’s Minding Frankie by Michael Heavey.
On Friday, there’s a ‘Maeve Binchy Double Bill’ at 7.30pm. A rehearsed reading of “Chancery Lane” from Victoria Line, Central Line in a new adaptation directed by Conall Morrison will take place.
It’s Binchy at her best, wanting to sue rich banker Charles Benson for breach of contract, show-stopping dancer Jilly Twilly enlists a barrister’s help.
Minding Frankie adapted for stage by Shay Linehan, performed by Michael Heavey will also take to the stage. This is a story about unconventional families, relationships which aren’t quite what they seem, and a child who finds a home at the heart of a caring community.
On Saturday, October 5,Cecelia Ahern, Jan Carson, Colm O’Regan, Liz Nugent, Oliver Callan, Edel Coffey, Anne Griffin, Jamie O’Connell, Zoe Miller, Brian McGilloway, Andrea Mara, Kevin Curran, Melatu-Uche Okorie, Olha Khoroshevska, Sam Blake, Billy Keane, Andrea Carter, Caroline Erskine, Katherine McSharry, Niall MacMonagle, John Patrick McHugh, Sarah Binchy and Gordon Snell will take part in various events throughout the day.
From 9.30am to 12.45pm on the second day, journalist, author, and publican of the infamous John B’s bar in Listowel, Billy Keane talks about the need to celebrate hometowns, and entertaining Maeve and Gordon during Writers’ Week.
Anne Griffin, Zoe Miller, and Jamie O’Connell talk to Katherine McSharry about Binchy’s influence on writing in Ireland.
Sam Blake, Andrea Mara, and Brian McGilloway tell Andrea Carter why so many crime novels start with a domestic setting.
Best-selling author Liz Nugent talks to award winning impressionist, satirist, presenter and noted Binchy fan, Oliver Callan.
From 2pm to 5.30pm, Melatu Uche Okorie, Kevin Curran and Olha Khoroshevska talk to Caroline Erskine about interpreting ‘home’ in contemporary Ireland.
Sarah Binchy, Jan Carson, and John Patrick McHugh discuss Ireland’s international reputation for short story writing with chair Niall MacMonagle.
Internationally loved author Cecelia Ahern talks to author and journalist Edel Coffey about her inspirations and catching her characters “as they fall.”
Acclaimed author, comedian, broadcaster and obsessive earwigger Colm O’Regan explains how ‘Maevesdropping’ creates comedy gold.
On Sunday, October 6 at 11.00am there’s a Marvellously Maeve Guided Walk. Tour guide Rita Biggs will have the anecdotes ready as you tour Binchy’s hometown of Dalkey.
At 3pm there will be a performance of Aches and Pains, wherein Maeve offers hilarious advice on motivating the patient in the next bed, how to give up drinking, visiting a nudist colony and more. Adapted by Shay Linehan and directed by Margaret Dunne.
Half and full day tickets for Saturday alongside tickets for Friday evening and Sunday’s events are available at echoes.ie.
