Paul Simon to grace Dublin book festival

THE legendary singer and songwriter Paul Simon is to make a highly anticipated appearance at this year’s Dublin: One City One Book Festival.

Dublin City Council’s Public Libraries made the surprise announcement on its @1City1 Book Twitter account that Simon will be among those paying tribute to Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney at the National Concert Hall on Wednesday, April 23.

The

‘Celebrating Seamus Heaney’ event organised by Dublin City Council and Poetry Ireland will feature a distinguished cast of poets and musicians from Ireland and further afield, many of whom had a close connection to the poet and his work.

The headline event in this year’s Dublin: One City One Book Festival was booked out but because of demand 100 seats in the choir balcony were released for sale on Friday.

Although these were also expected to sell out quickly, there was some good news for fans as the event that will be led by John Kelly will be recorded by RTÃ? Radio 1 for a special broadcast on Saturday, April 27 at 8pm.

The evening will also feature President Michael D Higgins, poets Paul Muldoon, Paula Meehan, Michael Longley, Medbh McGuckian, Tomas Venclova and actor Gabriel Byrne.

This stellar line up will be joined by musicians Liam O’Flynn, Lisa Hannigan, Dónal Lunny, Michéal Ã? Súilleabháin, Zoë Conway and Paul Brady.

The RTÃ? Concert Orchestra will also participate.

Celebrating Seamus Heaney takes place on UNESCO World Book Day, according to Dublin City Librarian Margaret Hayes.

“This news is sure to generate interest in what is already a fantastic programme,

? she said.

“Dublin: One City One Book runs in over 50 venues around Dublin city and county this April.

“This is a perfect opportunity to explore Dublin’s libraries and literary landmarks through library-supported poetry readings, talks, concerts and guided tours on foot, by bike, on the water and even on the DART, many of which are free.

?

Paul Simon first met Heaney through their mutual friend Derek Walcott.

“I’m a fan even more of the man than the poetry, though there are few poets I would rank as his equal,

? Simon has said about his friend.

The celebration of the life of the poet has been programmed by Maureen Kennelly, Director of Poetry Ireland and poet Peter Fallon, Heaney’s Irish publisher and close friend over many years.

The Dublin: One City One Book initiative encourages eve­ry­­one to read a book connected with Dublin during April.

The programme that is now in its ninth year, is led by Dublin City Public Libraries as part of its UNESCO City of Literature Programme.