Tuesday 26 March 2013

Strumpet City's April programme is launched

Dublin City Council today announced a packed programme of events to celebrate this year’s Dublin: One City One Book initiative. James Plunkett’s Strumpet City, this year’s choice, also commemorates the centenary of the 1913 Dublin Lockout.

Many of the events in the programme are free and include music, drama, readings, history, tours, exhibitions and family events.

They take place at venues around Dublin from 1-30 April and the programme is now confirmed on a dedicated website: www.dublinonecityonebook.ie.

A special edition of the book published by Gill & Macmillan can be borrowed from all branches of Dublin City Libraries or bought in bookshops. From today, you can also follow ongoing conversations on Twitter between two of the book’s main characters – Rashers Tierney (@RashersTierney1) and Fr. O’Connor (@FrOConnor1).

Dublin's Deputy Lord Mayor Clare Byrne officially launched the programme today in Liberty Hall, the location of my scenes in the book. 'Dublin: One City One Book is now in its eighth year and is one of the most popular literary festivals in the city. The programme has something to interest everyone whether you are a local or a visitor to Dublin. It’s also a great opportunity to read James Plunkett’s Strumpet City – it's an epic both of the 1913 Lockout and of the city itself,' she said.

Dublin: One City One Book encourages everyone to read a book connected with Dublin during April. The initiative is led by Dublin City Libraries as part of its UNESCO City of Literature Programme. It is supported by publishers Gill & MacMillan, Dept. of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the 1913 Commemoration Committee, Dublin City BID and venues and booksellers all over the city.

The public will shortly be able to download the first chapter of Strumpet City for free via QR code at 12 Dublin City Council Traffic Light boxes. More details on this will be available during April.