The Second Book Festival 2025
Following the success of its debut festival in 2024, the Ballyscullion Park Book Festival is set to become a key event in the literary calendar. The festival, held in the picturesque surroundings of Ballyscullion Park near Bellaghy in mid-Ulster, brings together readers, writers and art lovers for an unforgettable weekend of cultural delights.
This year’s festival was bigger and better, with a line-up of both new and returning authors, children’s writers, opinion formers, historians, poets, musicians and artists. Over the two days, attendees chose from around 50 talks, readings and panel discussions, as well as enjoying live music, local food stalls, artisan products and an art exhibition.
Among the highlights were Louis de Bernières, author and poet; Dr Roy Foster, Emeritus Professor of History at Oxford and cultural commentator, Carlo Gébler author, playwright and teacher; Ramita Navai, multi award-winning journalist, documentary maker and author; Lyndsy Spence author, historian and screenwriter and founder of The Mitford Society; Gareth Reid artist and 2023 Sky Portrait Artist of the Decade; John Goodall, historian, author, and Architectural Editor of Country Life magazine; Dr Heidi Edmundson Portrush-born novelist and Emergency Medicine consultant in London; Martina Devlin award-winning novelist and journalist and Dr Caroline Campbell Director of the National Gallery of Ireland.
There were also panel discussions on topical issues, in association with the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, and the Irrawaddy Literary Festival.
This year, the festival was proud to announce a charity partnership with NI Hospice. A percentage of the profit from ticket sales were made to NI Hospice, and a representative was on hand at the festival to talk about the care provided by the hospice.
Ballyscullion Park is part of the Loughinsholin Tourism Cluster, which aims to develop and promote a range of authentic, sustainable visitor experiences, a sense of place as well as a commitment to preserve and promote the generations of rich heritage and traditions found in the region of mid-Ulster. The cluster is supported by Invest Northern Ireland through its Collaborative Growth Programme.
Rosalind Mulholland Festival Director said:
“We are thrilled to announce the return of the Ballyscullion Park Book Festival for 2025. This year’s festival will feature an incredible mix of returning speakers and exciting new faces. We are also delighted to announce our charity partner for 2025 as NI Hospice. The 2024 festival exceeded all expectations, and we are committed to building on that success by creating an even more vibrant and inspiring experience for all who attend. We look forward to welcoming returning and new visitors.”
On Sunday 11th May 12pm – 5pm there were special family events including storytelling and book readings and poetry workshops. Suitable for children from 4 years old. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
There was an exceptional Artisan’s Market in the Walled Garden as well as numerous delicious options for lunch and refreshments.
The Inaugural Book Festival 2024
The Mulholland family was delighted to welcome visitors to the inaugural Ballyscullion Park Book Festival in May 2024. Literature has always been at the heart of the family history, with connections to Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë.
The theme of the event was based around the late 18th Century when the original Bishop’s Palace was built at Ballyscullion Park; the landscape and literature, and how people lived then. Talks took place in venues around the beautiful walled garden in the grounds of Ballyscullion House. The original house built on the estate in the 1780s was the Earl Bishop of Derry’s palace, which is now in ruins.
Guests were transported by talks from eminent writers and historians about this fascinating century and beyond, up to the present day.
Garden and landscape design and planting also blossomed with the new aesthetic of the Picturesque, and with plants collected by dedicated plantsmen from all over the world.
A childhood spent in the beautiful rural landscape around Bellaghy and Lough Beg provided inspiration for Seamus Heaney’s poetry, and W B Yeats also found poetic inspiration in the parklands of country houses of Co Sligo. Guests learned how our contemporary novelists and poets also respond to the spirit of place in ancient Irish landscapes.
The story of Turlough O’Carolan, the blind harpist, who brought traditional Irish music into the drawing rooms of Ireland was performed by Celtic Grace. While guests were able to immerse themselves in the poetry and writings of WB Yeats 100 years after he received the Nobel Prize for Poetry.
The Festival Programme consisted of talks on a wide range of subjects, with several inspiring speakers to choose from each day.
TWO KEYNOTE EVENTS FEATURED:
On Saturday afternoon there was a show by Celtic Grace celebrating the life and Celtic Baroque music of Turlough O’Carolan. Drinks and canapés were served at this event.
On Sunday afternoon, there was a performance of poetry and music to celebrate the centenary of W B Yeats being awarded the Nobel Prize for Poetry.
Refreshments were available throughout the Festival from a variety of first class food vendors, sited within the walled garden.
Our speakers were on hand between talks to sign copies of their books and for a chat.
