A literary festival in Roscommon will go ahead next week after controversy arose over a speaker travelling from the UK. The Percy French literary festival will take place for the 12th year in Castlecoote House in Co. Roscommon from July 22 to 24 with “all precautionary measures” in place. Controversy arose this morning after veteran journalist Mary Kenny spoke on Today with Sarah McInerney on Radio One defending her reasons to travel from the UK and speak at the festival. Following her appearance on the radio, a statement was issued by festival organisers which said that Ms Kenny will not appear at the festival. “The marquee that they’re getting will be bigger to make sure that everything is done right, that’s what they told me this morning,” he added.

Source: Irish Independent July 13, 2020 12:55 UTC