In the Irish language, the phrase Bualadh Bos is used to express applause. On Friday March 10th and Saturday March 11th, the Irish Writers Centre, Poetry Ireland and the Consulate General of Ireland are presenting the first Bualadh Boston Irish Literary Festival in the Harvard Club of Boston.

The affection in which Irish literature is held in the US has never been more apparent than when President Obama and Vice President Biden chose to quote poetry by WB Yeats and Seamus Heaney during the ceremony honouring Biden with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January. Over several decades Irish writers have enjoyed a particularly rich relationship with some of Boston's most prestigious universities including Boston College and Harvard University, which makes this celebration especially fitting.
The Irish Writers Centre, Poetry Ireland and the Consulate General of Ireland are proud to present the first Bualadh Boston Irish Literary Festival, featuring Ireland’s finest contemporary writers in the historic capital of Irish America.

The two-day festival will take place in the Harvard Club of Boston with poets Tara Bergin, Nick Laird and Stephen Sexton, as well as authors Kevin Barry, Paul Howard and Lisa McInerney in conversation with local champions of the Boston arts world.

For the first night of Bualadh Boston (Friday March 10th at 5pm, Harvard Club of Boston), Consul General Fionnuala Quinlan will be in conversation with Kevin Barry (City of Bohane, Beatlebone) and Lisa McInerney (The Glorious Heresies, Navigation), both of whom are award-winning writers of literature's most coveted prizes.

Day two of Bualadh Boston begins with a poetry showcase (Saturday March 11th at 1pm, Harvard Club of Boston) focusing on three of Ireland’s most exciting contemporary poets, Tara Bergin, Nick Laird and Stephen Sexton. Each poet will read their work and share their experiences as Irish poets working at home and abroad.

At 3pm on Saturday March 11th (Harvard Club of Boston), join multi-award-winning journalist, author and comedy writer Paul Howard, best-known for his million-selling Ross O'Carroll-Kelly series of novels, as he chats to Boston Globe journalist Kevin Cullen about rugby, life, journalism, fake news and the world we live in today.

Tickets to all three Bualadh Boston events are free, but advanced booking is advised here

See www.poetryireland.ie and www.irishwriterscentre.ie for more details.
Join the conversation: @poetryireland @IrishWritersCtr @IrelandBoston

Bualadh Boston is brought to you by the Irish Writers Centre, Poetry Ireland and the Consulate General of Ireland. The festival is kindly supported by Culture Ireland, the Center for Irish Programs at Boston College, the Irish Institute at Boston College, UCD, the Irish American Partnership and Words Ireland.

Consul General of Ireland, Fionnuala Quinlan, said: “I am delighted to welcome some of Ireland’s finest contemporary writers and poets to Boston for this celebration of Irish literature. The work of Ireland’s writers and poets resonates throughout the world and has helped to forge deep bonds between Ireland and a global audience.

“Creative Ireland, the Government’s ambitious five year arts and culture initiative, recognises the unique role which our culture and creativity play in promoting Ireland internationally. This showcase of Irish literary talent is exciting great interest in Boston and I am confident it will introduce new audiences to Ireland’s talented contemporary writers. I want to thank our partners and sponsors for making it possible.”