The Begorrathon … and on and on: Ireland Month is Almost Here!

March is almost here, which means it’s almost time for Ireland Month.

Our month-long celebration of Irish culture – which I am honoured to be co-hosting with Cathy from 746 Books – begins this Sunday.

You can submit as many posts as you like on almost any topic related to Irish culture: books, movies, music, TV shows, travel … really, whatever you’d like!

Cathy found quite the stack of books by Irish authors in her pile of unread books, so she’ll be reviewing books by well known Irish authors like William Trevor, Edna O’Brien and Tana French and books by some not so well known, like Arlene Hunt and Leland Bardwell.

She is also planning an in-depth look at the rise of Irish Crime Fiction, and the work of women writers in Ireland.

Anne Enright may have won the Irish Fiction Laureate last month, but she didn’t win Cathy’s March Reading Roulette! There was only one vote in it, but this month’s poll was won by Maggie O’Farrell’s The Hand that Once Held Mine, so Cathy will be squeezing that one in to the reading schedule too.

As for me, I’ll be having a look at a wealth of Irish films, including recent successes as diverse as The Stag, Calvary and What Richard Did, as well as some Irish TV shows.

If I can bring myself to watch it, I may have a look at the Irish comedy series Leave It To Mrs O’Brien … it’s about some priests and their housekeeper. In other words, it’s llke Father Ted, only, you know, not funny.

I will also be penning a few words on Irish novelist John Banville (and his alter-ego Benjamin Black), and will be posting an interview with Roddy Doyle, as well as some pieces on the Anglo-Irish literary canon.

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I will also be dispelling a few Irish cultural myths.

Dydd Gwyl Padrig Hapus!

Did you know that St. Patrick wasn’t even Irish?

There will also be prizes! Keep your eyes peeled for giveaways galore – featuring books by Roddy Doyle, signed crime novels and bookish prints and tote bags.

Want to take part?

To join us, all you need to do is grab the pin and post it on your page, ‘like’ our Facebook page, use our hashtags #readireland2015 or #begorrathon2015, dig out a book or movie from Ireland and link up to our Master Posts from 1 March. Link to 746 Books for book reviews, and to The Fluff is Raging for movie or television reviews and all other cultural posts.

For Irish people this might bring some schooldays nightmares back

Non-bloggers are of course also welcome to take part. Just leave a note in the comments if you’d like to write something, and Cathy and I will be happy to host your article for you.

So pour yourself a pint of Guinness, a tumbler of Jameson, or just a cup of Barry’s Tea and enter the magical, lyrical cultural landscape of Ireland.

source: gombeennation.blogspot.com

Have you made any Ireland Month plans yet? Have you picked out some books or compiled your Top Ten Liam Neeson Screen Moments List? I really hope you’ll join us, sure it’d be no craic without you!