The return of the Immrama Festival of Travel writing is just around the corner as the Lismore based festival returns from June 16th to June 19th 2022.
Famous for gathering tales of travel, and sharing stories of unusual adventures the festival is once again celebrating travel with visiting speakers who will share details of their travel experiences and adventures.
Opening the festival on Thursday, June 16th at Lismore Heritage Centre is a talk from journalist and the author of five books Des Ekin, who will talk about Ireland’s Pirate Trail, 30 true-life pirate stories collected from travelling around the Irish coast by land and sea.
On the evening of Friday, June 17th the best-selling author whose book, An Unsung Hero, the biography of explorer Tom Crean, opened a new chapter in Irish history and stimulated widespread interest in Ireland’s role in Polar exploration – Michael Smith will take to the stage. Michael will talk about his latest book Lost and Found – Irishman Captain Francis Crozier and the Franklin Expedition disaster.
Getting the day off to a start on Saturday, June 18th, Historian Donald Bradywill make a presentation on Temple Lane – Mary Isabel Leslie (1899–1978), the daughter of John Herbert Leslie, Dean of Lismore (1930-34). Donald will share the story of her fascinating life and career.
At lunchtimeone of the founding members of the music group De Dannan with whom he toured extensively in Europe, Canada and the US and has recorded several albumsCharlie Pigott will share a talk of musical travels.
In the afternoon the theme of travel for work continues as Ralph Riegel the southern correspondent for Independent Newspapers will take to the stage. Ralph is the author of ten books – five were bestsellers including the No 1 best-seller ‘My Brother Jason’ with Gill Books which featured in TV documentaries with CBS in the US and VirginMedia in Ireland. His book ‘Commando’, was the focus of a Sky TV documentary while ‘Hidden Soldier’ inspired the RTE series, ‘Hostile Environment with actor Liam Cunningham.
Joining Ralph for this event is Thom Breathnach who will talk about theparadox of sustainable travel and social media’s current travel trends. Thom is an award-winning travel writer from Cork specialising in sustainable travel, slow tourism, and wildlife. He began travel writing while working for a non-profit organisation in South Africa and has been on the road since.
On Saturday evening journalist, broadcaster and barman Billy Keane will share Travel stories from within and outside his head. Billy wrote a column for the Irish Independent for 21 years. Billy has written two novels. His latest The Ballad of Mo and G was described by Donal Ryan as “heartbreak and comedy, tenderness and savagery meld into a beautiful, mad narrative delivered in a completely real voice. I could not put it down.” He was awarded the United States IBAM award for literature alongside his late father John B Keane in 2019.
On Sunday morning the traditional Literary Breakfast returns to Lismore Golf Club where Turtle Bunburywill talk about ‘Women of Munster – The Adventures Lola Montez, Eliza Lynch and Nellie Cashman’. Turtleis a best-selling author and historian. His recent books include The Irish Diaspora and Ireland’s Forgotten Past, described by BBC History Magazine as ‘impeccably researched.’ Turtle also presents history podcasts including Turtle Bunbury’s Global Irish and Waterways Through Time.
The 2022 Lismore Immrama Festival will take place from June 16th to 19th. For further details and to pre-book tickets see www.Lismore Immrama.com. or call 085 8628445.
