THE KINGDOM AWAITS - WRITERS WEEK

Jim Crace, author of the wonderful Harvest

I am almost sick with excitement to be heading off to Listowel later today for my first ever visit to Writers Week. The shame! I just always seem to be elsewhere over the June Bank Holiday. I was invited last year but it clashed with a trip to Spain so they very graciously re-invited me this year.

I am looking forward very much to meeting my 15 short story workshoppers tomorrow, to attending the launch of fellow New Islander Mary O'Donnell's novel Where They Lie, and to interviewing the mighty Jim Crace on Friday.

I hope to see some of you in the Kingdom of Kerry over the next few days. In the meantime: Must. Calm. Down.