Readers and writers fest

For two days in early March a new festival for readers and writers will take place in Sligo to celebrate Sligo County Library’s first writer-in-residence, author Niall Williams. On Friday 7th and Saturday 8th March, Sligo Central Library, Tubbercurry Library and the Yeats Memorial Building will open their doors to the public who want to discover, discuss and meet published writers. Full event details are available at www.sligoarts.ie or you can call (071) 91 11980 for a brochure. Individual tickets can be purchased from the Yeats Memorial Building on (071) 91 42693. Fluid deadline The deadline has been extended for a children’s writing competition currently being organised by the National Aquatic Centre. The competition is open to all school children, from junior infants to junior certificate and the overall winner will win a trip for their entire school to ‘Aquazone’ at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin. Naturally enough, stories and artwork are expected to have a ‘watery’ theme – so think mermaids rather than wizards! Artists should make sure their work is on A4 paper or card, and essays should be no longer than 500 words.  The deadline for entries is 31st March 2008. Entries should be sent to: ‘The 1st Annual Writing and Art Competition’ The National Aquatic Centre, Snugborough Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Republic of Ireland. Further information and full competition details are available at www.nac.ie or (01) 6464 300. Strokestown poetry The closing date for entries for the Strokestown Poetry Festival schools poetry competition is Friday 14th. March. The prizegiving ceremony is on Friday 2nd May at 7 pm. Entry forms are available from Community Development Strokestown at (071) 96 33759 between 10 am and 1 pm Mon to Friday.