Festival News
Our festival is inspired by the life and work of Frances Browne, the Blind Poetess of Ulster (1816-1879) who was born in Stranorlar. Our aim is to promote a revival of interest in Frances in her native area and beyond. By reviving the literary legacy of Frances Browne we celebrate theunique linguistic and cultural diversity of this part of Donegal, the only place in Ireland where Irish, English and Ulster-Scots language is spoken on a daily basis.
Frances Browne's most famous poem, "Songs of our land," is a reflection on language, and how the soul of a nation is encapsulated in its literary outputs. She wrote prolifically in all formats. She was as much at home with an essay, an article, or a novel as she was with her great fortes, poetry and childrens' writing. Her masterpiece, the children’s storybook "Granny's Wonderful Chair" was a bestseller all over the world, but she also deserves to be remembered for her unswerving opposition to slavery and all sorts of injustice.
Find us / Get in touch
The Frances Browne Literary Festival is based is based in the Twin Towns of Ballybofey-Stranorlar.
Events take place in venues in the towns and across the East Donegal region.
We thank our funders and programme supporters for their generous support and belief in the Frances Browne Literary Festival
Donegal County Council
Donegal County Council has generously funded, supported and encouraged the Festival since it began in 2021. Their enthusiasm and dedication to the Festival is greatly appreciated.
International Fund for Ireland
2023 Programme Feature 'Strangers to Our Own' is supported by the International Fund for Ireland (IFI) Communities in Partnership Programme’
Creative Ireland
2023 Programme Feature
'The Tale of Fairyfoot'
is supported by the Arts Council
and Creative Ireland
The Arts Council of Ireland
2023 Programme Feature
'The Tale of Fairyfoot'
is supported by the Arts Council and Creative Ireland
An Grianán Theatre
2023 Programme Feature
'Strangers to Our Own'
is supported by An Grianán Theatre
Fidget Feet
2023 Programme Feature
'The Tale of Fairyfoot'
is supported by Fidget Feet
Would you like to sponsor or donate to the Festival? Contact us at: info@francesbrowneliteraryfestival.com
Finn Valley Voice
The Finn Valley voices acts as the Frances Browne Literary Festival Headquarters and generously supports with PR and other activities.
B&S Credit Union
We thank the Credit Union for the generous annual support through their Community Fund
Karen Murphy
School of Speech, Drama & Communications
For her generous annual funding of the
Frances Browne Award
Celine McGlynn, Festival Chair
Celine McGlynn iniated the Frances Browne Poetry competition with Dr. Pauline Holland in 2008. She has long been a dedicated supporter of Frances Browne and the movement to bring her back to prominance.
Celine is editor of the Finn Valley Voice and a noted artist and poet.
Frances Browne Literary Festival Committee © 2023