Liam Carson’s memoir Call Mother a Lonely Field, won extensive critical praise on its publication in 2010, and was short-listed for the Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize in 2013. It is described by poet Martina Evans as ‘A unique poetic meditation on an Irish-speaking family ... Liam Carson pours an astonishingly concentrated draught of wisdom into one slim volume.’ Carson’s latest book is Belfast Twilight, a collection of haiku that explore landscape, nature, family life, and memory. Presented in haikai (or haiku sequences), it creates kaleidoscopic montages that evoke various worlds – from Belfast’s docklands to windswept islands off the west of Ireland.

Poetry Competition Reading

Inspired by a photograph by Bere Island artist Mary Sullivan, this year’s poetry competition invited poets to respond creatively to the image, exploring themes of place, memory and landscape. Judged by awardwinning poet Liam Carson, the winning poets will share their work in a special festival reading.