Literary Links: Jane Austen, Brendan Behan & John Steinbeck.
€10 - bookable through the Balor Arts Centre
In the first, Donnan Harvey of the Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival (Letterkenny) examines the local links to two very different writers: Jane Austen and Brendan Behan. In the second, Douglas Bartlett of the Steinbeck Festival (Limavady) reveals the strong connections between John Steinbeck and the Roe Valley.
When & Where
Date: Thursday 9 October 2025
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: Balor Arts Centre, Main Street, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal
About the Participants
Donnan Harvey
Donnan Harvey is the secretary of the Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Community Group. Having grown up on Church Lane, the former history teacher is spearheading the revival of this iconic part of Letterkenny. His mission is to regenerate the historic Church Lane street and surrounding area to create a vibrant cultural and historical quarter in the heart of the town.
Douglas Bartlett
Douglas Bartlett founded the Steinbeck Festival in Limavady in 2019. He is the author of Steinbeck – Ulster and Ireland and A History of Limavady and the Roe Valley (Prehistory to 1900). A native of Limavady, he is a former Vice Principal and Head of History at Limavady High School, where he worked for thirty-five years.
Ticketing Info
Admission: €10 per person
Bookable through the Balor Arts Centre box office
Early booking advised
Acknowledgements
With thanks to event sponsors The International Fund for Ireland and Connecting Communities.
Festival sponsors: Donegal County Council and the Finn Valley Voice.
About the Frances Browne Literary Festival
The Frances Browne Literary Festival celebrates the life and legacy of Frances Browne (1816–1879), the “Blind Poetess of Ulster.” Rooted in her hometown of Ballybofey-Stranorlar, Co. Donegal, the festival brings together poets, writers, musicians, and communities from Ireland and beyond to share in her spirit of creativity, inclusion, and multilingual expression.
📖 Explore the full programme and festival information at: www.francesbrowneliteraryfestival.com
