The 12th edition of the West Kerry talks and performance weekend takes place on November 27th and 28th, with this year’s theme of Idir an Dá Linn / Mean Time.
Ireland’s Edge returns to the Dingle Skellig Hotel on Friday, November 27th and Saturday, November 28th, and the first names are out. Scottish author Irvine Welsh, comedian, actor and writer Aisling Bea and Orwell Prize-winning journalist Carole Cadwalladr lead the line-up, with the Welsh-language musician Gwenno the main music name so far.
The theme is Idir an Dá Linn / Mean Time. The Irish phrase means “in the meantime”, and the organisers are using it to frame a period of uncertainty and upheaval that is also open to reinvention. Across the two days the conversations take in press freedom, democracy and disinformation, the effect of technology and AI on daily life, climate and sustainability, and Ireland’s infrastructure and economic model. There is also room for talks on native languages, folklore and storytelling, and on creativity and belonging.
The first names announced
- Aisling Bea, actor, comedian and writer, in conversation with a special guest
- Billy Mag Fhloinn, folklorist, archaeologist and lecturer
- Caoilfhionn Gallagher, human rights lawyer
- Carole Cadwalladr, author and journalist, The Nerve
- Christopher Kissane, writer, historian and host
- Gwenno, musician, songwriter and producer
- Irvine Welsh, author
- James Reed: All About Business live, with FoodCloud founder Iseult Ward
- Malachy Browne, director of visual investigations at The New York Times
- Muireann Kelliher, co-founder and curator of Ireland’s Edge
- Pat F. Hennessy, senior marine and fisheries advisor
- Paul Caruana Galizia, author and investigative reporter, Financial Times
- Rob MacNeacail, musician, sound designer and Gaelic cultural advocate, who appears in the documentary Sailm nan Daoine (Psalms of the People)
- Seán McCabe, head of climate justice at Bohemian Football Club
- Shirley Walsh, CEO of Shannon Coiled Springs and chairperson of Emerald Aero Group
- Sophia Smith-Galer, journalist, content creator and author of How to Kill a Language
More speakers and musical guests are to be announced, and the full programme is due in the coming weeks.
Tickets
Tickets are on sale now via Eventbrite. A weekend ticket is €65, a Friday day ticket is €35 and a Saturday day ticket is €50, all plus booking charges. Concession tickets for students, older adults and people on limited incomes are available on request by emailing [email protected]. Saturday ticket holders can also get a three-course lunch in the Skellig Hotel’s Coastguard Restaurant. More at irelandsedge.net.
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Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
