Vincent Woods
Vincent Woods’s plays include At the Black Pig’s Dyke (Druid Theatre Company, 1992); Song of the Yellow Bittern (Druid Theatre Company, 1994); and A Cry from Heaven (Abbey Theatre, 2005); and for radio, The Leitrim Hotel, The Gospels of Aughamore and Broken Moon. Poetry collections are The Colour of Language and Lives and Miracles. He has co-edited The Turning Wave: Poems and Songs of Irish Australia, and Fermata: Writings Inspired by Music (with Eva Bourke); and in 2016 published Leaves of Hungry Grass: Poetry and Ireland’s Great Hunger (Quinnipiac University Press). Awards include the Stewart Parker Award for Drama and The Ted McNulty Award for Poetry. For many years he has been a regular presenter of arts programmes and documentaries on RTÉ Radio 1. He is a member of Aosdána.
The Dock, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim.
Sat 5th & Sun 6th Oct, 2019
The Dock, Carrick on Shannon, Co. Leitrim.
Sat 5th & Sun 6th Oct, 2019
Mary McPartlan
Mary McPartlan is one of the most talented singers to come out of the Irish scene in recent years. Born in Drumkeeran, Co. Leitrim and now living in Galway, she started singing in the early 70s but it wasn't until 2003 that she decided to make music her full time career. She has been working for the last 12 years as producer and director of many music and theatre projects. She developed the concept of the TG4 National Traditional Music Awards, and was co-producer of the award-winning music series FLOSC, also for TG4. As a singer however, Mary, didn't come out of the shadows until January 2004 when she released the critically-acclaimed album The Holland Handkerchief. Her most recent album from Mountain to Mountain was released earlier this year.
Mary McPartlan
Mary McPartlan is one of the most talented singers to come out of the Irish scene in recent years. Born in Drumkeeran, Co. Leitrim and now living in Galway, she started singing in the early 70s but it wasn't until 2003 that she decided to make music her full time career. She has been working for the last 12 years as producer and director of many music and theatre projects. She developed the concept of the TG4 National Traditional Music Awards, and was co-producer of the award-winning music series FLOSC, also for TG4. As a singer however, Mary, didn't come out of the shadows until January 2004 when she released the critically-acclaimed album The Holland Handkerchief. Her most recent album from Mountain to Mountain was released earlier this year.
Shane McCorristine
Shane McCorristine is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge working on a project entitled "Ghost Species". He is an interdisciplinary historian and geographer with interests in what he calls the 'night side' of modern experience - namely social attitudes toward death, dreams, ghosts, hallucinations, and the 'more than rational'. Shane’s research argues that, far from being peripheral, these aspects of life were central in making people feel modern. In looking at these topics he draws on a variety of approaches and literatures from cultural history, human geography, environmental humanities, and medical humanities.
Shane McCorristine
Shane McCorristine is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge working on a project entitled "Ghost Species". He is an interdisciplinary historian and geographer with interests in what he calls the 'night side' of modern experience - namely social attitudes toward death, dreams, ghosts, hallucinations, and the 'more than rational'. Shane’s research argues that, far from being peripheral, these aspects of life were central in making people feel modern. In looking at these topics he draws on a variety of approaches and literatures from cultural history, human geography, environmental humanities, and medical humanities.
Shane McCorristine
Shane McCorristine is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge working on a project entitled "Ghost Species". He is an interdisciplinary historian and geographer with interests in what he calls the 'night side' of modern experience - namely social attitudes toward death, dreams, ghosts, hallucinations, and the 'more than rational'. Shane’s research argues that, far from being peripheral, these aspects of life were central in making people feel modern. In looking at these topics he draws on a variety of approaches and literatures from cultural history, human geography, environmental humanities, and medical humanities.
Shane McCorristine
Shane McCorristine is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge working on a project entitled "Ghost Species". He is an interdisciplinary historian and geographer with interests in what he calls the 'night side' of modern experience - namely social attitudes toward death, dreams, ghosts, hallucinations, and the 'more than rational'. Shane’s research argues that, far from being peripheral, these aspects of life were central in making people feel modern. In looking at these topics he draws on a variety of approaches and literatures from cultural history, human geography, environmental humanities, and medical humanities.
Shane McCorristine
Shane McCorristine is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge working on a project entitled "Ghost Species". He is an interdisciplinary historian and geographer with interests in what he calls the 'night side' of modern experience - namely social attitudes toward death, dreams, ghosts, hallucinations, and the 'more than rational'. Shane’s research argues that, far from being peripheral, these aspects of life were central in making people feel modern. In looking at these topics he draws on a variety of approaches and literatures from cultural history, human geography, environmental humanities, and medical humanities.
Shane McCorristine
Shane McCorristine is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge working on a project entitled "Ghost Species". He is an interdisciplinary historian and geographer with interests in what he calls the 'night side' of modern experience - namely social attitudes toward death, dreams, ghosts, hallucinations, and the 'more than rational'. Shane’s research argues that, far from being peripheral, these aspects of life were central in making people feel modern. In looking at these topics he draws on a variety of approaches and literatures from cultural history, human geography, environmental humanities, and medical humanities.
Shane McCorristine
Shane McCorristine is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge working on a project entitled "Ghost Species". He is an interdisciplinary historian and geographer with interests in what he calls the 'night side' of modern experience - namely social attitudes toward death, dreams, ghosts, hallucinations, and the 'more than rational'. Shane’s research argues that, far from being peripheral, these aspects of life were central in making people feel modern. In looking at these topics he draws on a variety of approaches and literatures from cultural history, human geography, environmental humanities, and medical humanities.
Shane McCorristine
Shane McCorristine is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge working on a project entitled "Ghost Species". He is an interdisciplinary historian and geographer with interests in what he calls the 'night side' of modern experience - namely social attitudes toward death, dreams, ghosts, hallucinations, and the 'more than rational'. Shane’s research argues that, far from being peripheral, these aspects of life were central in making people feel modern. In looking at these topics he draws on a variety of approaches and literatures from cultural history, human geography, environmental humanities, and medical humanities.
Shane McCorristine
Shane McCorristine is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge working on a project entitled "Ghost Species". He is an interdisciplinary historian and geographer with interests in what he calls the 'night side' of modern experience - namely social attitudes toward death, dreams, ghosts, hallucinations, and the 'more than rational'. Shane’s research argues that, far from being peripheral, these aspects of life were central in making people feel modern. In looking at these topics he draws on a variety of approaches and literatures from cultural history, human geography, environmental humanities, and medical humanities.
Shane McCorristine
Shane McCorristine is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge working on a project entitled "Ghost Species". He is an interdisciplinary historian and geographer with interests in what he calls the 'night side' of modern experience - namely social attitudes toward death, dreams, ghosts, hallucinations, and the 'more than rational'. Shane’s research argues that, far from being peripheral, these aspects of life were central in making people feel modern. In looking at these topics he draws on a variety of approaches and literatures from cultural history, human geography, environmental humanities, and medical humanities.
Shane McCorristine
Shane McCorristine is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge working on a project entitled "Ghost Species". He is an interdisciplinary historian and geographer with interests in what he calls the 'night side' of modern experience - namely social attitudes toward death, dreams, ghosts, hallucinations, and the 'more than rational'. Shane’s research argues that, far from being peripheral, these aspects of life were central in making people feel modern. In looking at these topics he draws on a variety of approaches and literatures from cultural history, human geography, environmental humanities, and medical humanities.
Shane McCorristine
Shane McCorristine is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge working on a project entitled "Ghost Species". He is an interdisciplinary historian and geographer with interests in what he calls the 'night side' of modern experience - namely social attitudes toward death, dreams, ghosts, hallucinations, and the 'more than rational'. Shane’s research argues that, far from being peripheral, these aspects of life were central in making people feel modern. In looking at these topics he draws on a variety of approaches and literatures from cultural history, human geography, environmental humanities, and medical humanities.
Shane McCorristine
Shane McCorristine is a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Geography at the University of Cambridge working on a project entitled "Ghost Species". He is an interdisciplinary historian and geographer with interests in what he calls the 'night side' of modern experience - namely social attitudes toward death, dreams, ghosts, hallucinations, and the 'more than rational'. Shane’s research argues that, far from being peripheral, these aspects of life were central in making people feel modern. In looking at these topics he draws on a variety of approaches and literatures from cultural history, human geography, environmental humanities, and medical humanities.
IRON MOUNTAIN 2026
PROGRAMME
Friday 2nd October
19.30
Opening Reception
Opening reception at the Dock Foyer
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20.00
Welcome
Festival director Vincent Woods introduces Iron Mountain 2026
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New Voices, Old Power: Jessamine O’Connor and Nithy Kasa
The 2026 Iron Mountain Literature Festival commences with poet Nithy Kasa, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo and novelist and poet Jessamine O’Connor, whose debut novel ‘Somewhere’ was published by the Lilliput Press in May.
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Frank Shovlin: Reading McGahern, Writing a life
Frank Shovlin is Professor of Irish Literature in English at the Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool, and is author of several books on Irish literature, including The Irish Literary Periodical 1923-1958 (Oxford, 2003) and Touchstones: John McGahern's Classical Style (Liverpool, 2016). His edition of The Letters of John McGahern was published by Faber to critical acclaim in 2021. John McGahern: A Writing Life a major new biography of the author will be launched on 9th October at The Dock.
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Cathy Jordan & Friends
Roscommon born Cathy Jordan has been a professional singer with traditional group Dervish for nearly 30 years. 2025 saw Cathy receive a Gradam Ceol award from TG4 for singer of the year. She was also nominated for best folk singer, and best album for The Crankie Island Song Project, at the RTE folk awards.
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22.30
End
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Saturday 3rd October
10.00
Boat trip to The Barracks, Cootehall
The MV Riverrun will depart from the Quay (opposite Cryan's Hotel) at 10am sharp, arriving at The Barracks, Cootehall at 11am. Capacity on the Riverrun is limited to 45 passengers. A bus will be available to bring additional people and latecomers to the Barracks.
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11.00
The Barracks
Cootehall barracks sits outside the arched entrance to The Bawn, Chidley Coote’s estate house which was built in the latter half of the seventeenth century. The writer, John McGahern lived in the barracks from 1944 to 1953: his father was the serving sergeant there. He, his five sisters and young brother came to live in the barracks when their mother died. John was the eldest. He was nine years old. Today, the Barracks houses an exhibition relating to the author and serves as a community facility for local groups.
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12.00
Cootehall to Carrick on Shannon
Bus departs The Barracks, Cootehall at 12 noon sharp, arriving at The Dock at 12.30pm.
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12.30
Facing the Sun - Launch of four new Faber editions of John McGahern’s writings by Keith Hopper
For the 20th anniversary of John McGahern's death, Faber & Faber have released revitalized editions of his core writings. This special release features four acclaimed novels with brand-new forewords by contemporary writers.
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13.00
Break
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14.30
Stories of Us: Orlaith McBride and Fintan Vallely
Orlaith McBride discusses The Story of Us: Independent Ireland and the 1926 Census. Fintan Vallely discusses his writing about Irish traditional music and publications including his Companion to Irish Traditional Music and Beating Time – The Story of the Irish Drum.
15.20
Tea/Coffee
.
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15.40
David Park: Travelling Strange Lands
David Park is the author of 10 novels, a novella and two collections of short stories. His most recent novel, Ghost Wedding, is published by One World Publications.
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Whose Stories Do We Tell? - Leon Diop
Leon Diop is the founder of Black and Irish, an organisation striving to transform Ireland into a global leader in equality and inclusion. His memoir, Mixed Up: An Irish Boy's Journey to Belonging, offers an honest and unfiltered insight into the realities of growing up mixed-race in Ireland.
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Displaced Lives, Disputed Lands - Fatena Abu Mustafa and
Nasia Dionysiou
Fatena Abu Mostafa is a translator, storyteller, and poet from Gaza, currently living in Galway. She holds a bachelor’s degree in translation from the Islamic University of Gaza. Through her writing, she strives to amplify the voices of those living in Gaza, especially during times of war. Nasia Dionysiou was born and lives in Nicosia, working at the Office of the Commissioner of Administration and the Protection of Human Rights. Her award-winning novella What is a Plain (Τι είναι Îνας κάμπος) explores the history of the detention camps in Cyprus where the British interned Jewish Holocaust survivors and refugees heading to Palestine after World War II.
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John McGahern Award
Cathaoirleach of Leitrim County Council presents the 2026 John McGahern Award.
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18.00
Break
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19.30
Paul Muldoon: A History of Ireland in 12 Poems
Through the prism of his own poems, Paul Muldoon offers a brief survey of Irish history from earliest times to the present day. This illustrated lecture will feature poems on the Vikings, the Normans, the English, the Troubles of the second half of the 20th century, as well as more recent events in Ireland.
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Reading in the Light - Carrie Crowley reads McGahern
Actress Carrie Crowley, known for her role as Elisef in Vikings, and her critically acclaimed IFTA-nominated supporting performance in the Oscar-nominated film An Cailín Ciúin reads from the work of John McGahern.
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22.00
End
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Sunday 4th October
11.00
Bus to Iron Mountain Session
Bus departs from The Dock, Carrick on Shannon for the Iron Mountain Session in Rynn's Pub, Ballinagleara.
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12.00
Iron Mountain Session
The weekend ends with the annual Iron Mountain Session with special guest Evelyn Conlon and Fintan Vallely and the best of music and readings in Skerry Rynn’s bar and grocery shop in Ballinaglera. Presented in conjunction with the Ballinaglera Traditional Music Weekend.
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15.00
Bus returns to The Dock Carrick on Shannon
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