The Borris Broadcasts

Adam Clayton is U2’s bass player. Acknowledged as one of the best live acts in the world, U2 have toured the globe countless times and released 14 studio albums with sales in excess of 157 million. Adam has written about contemporary art for British GQ and the role of art critic has seen him interview artists including Wolfgang Tillmans, Jeff Koons and William Eggleston. In 2022 he presented a documentary titled Francis Bacon: The Outsider which follows the story of the painter’s early life in Ireland.

John Kelly is one of Ireland’s foremost Arts broadcasters. He presents Mystery Train on RTÉ Radio and The Works Presents on RTÉ Television. He also presents the weekend show Elevation on Sirius XM. His poetry has been published in numerous journals and anthologies. Two collections – Notions (2018) and Space (2022) are published by Dedalus Press.

Get tickets for next year's festival (June 7th-9th):

https://festivalofwritingandideas.com/tickets/

Pulitzer Prize winner Anne Applebaum and irish Times columnist Fintan O'Toole take on the rise of populism, it's morphing with the religious right and it's subjugation of "Old School Conservatism" in a journey that takes us through Poland, Russia, Ukraine and the Western Liberal Democracies.

Discussing the critical issue of climate justice are two distinguished guests: Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Lord David Puttnam, renowned filmmaker and advocate for sustainable development. Our moderator for this discussion is Gabrielle Walker, a leading voice on climate change and energy transition. 

Welcome to this performance of T.S. Eliot's The Waste Land, featuring Jeremy Irons and Sinéad Cusack. In this event, we witness a stunning interpretation of Eliot's groundbreaking poem, which explores the themes of post-World War I disillusionment, despair and the quest for rebirth. But before we begin, author and biographer James Lever, introduces us to the historical context and literary significance of The Waste Land.

https://festivalofwritingandideas.com/

Booker Prize winning novelist (and lifelong Chelsea fan) Roddy Doyle sits down with former Chelsea footballer, analyst, music aficionado and now author of "The Accidental Footballer" Pat Nevin for a dive into writing, creativity, Roy Keane, John Peel, football punditry and lots more besides. Asking the questions is journalist, broadcaster and novelist Edel Coffey.

Join John Ilsley and Fiachna O'Bráonain as they delve into the legendary bassist's life in music. From his days in Dire Straits to his solo projects, John shares stories and insights about his musical journey and the impact it has had on his life as laid out in his recent(ish) autobiography from which this episode takes it's title. There's also a few tunes thrown in for good measure. This is a must-listen for any music fan and a rare opportunity to hear from one of the industry's most revered musicians.

https://festivalofwritingandideas.com/

EATING FOR THE PLANET: Dan Saladino (Eating to Extinction) talks to Isabel Hilton about the world’s most endangered foods - from a red coloured rice in China and a mucus- dripping maize plant in Mexico. Can food diversity help us save the planet?

https://festivalofwritingandideas.com/

The multi-talented Sharon Horgan (Bad Sisters) & director Lenny Abrahamson (Ordinary People) talk to author Patrick Freyne about the ins and outs of television production in the age of streaming.

https://festivalofwritingandideas.com/