The Borris House Festival of Writing & Ideas  - when we meet again in June - promises a weekend of stimulating dialogue and discourse, gathering together intriguing international minds from all over the world and inviting them to Borris Village for a few days. Prize-winning novelists, poet laureates, genre-changing musicians, mind-expanding academics, journalists from far reaches of the globe, but also artists, film-makers, political commentators, musicians, architects - and regular people who have experienced the extraordinary - grace the stages across the weekend.

Curiosity might lead a festival-goer from the Middle Eastern front-lines, to first-hand accounts behind the lyrics and music of Florence and the Machine or Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin, to the latest research in neuroscience, to a forgotten novel penned 50 years ago, or to a local uileann piper’s call.

The Festival of Writing & Ideas has become known for its casual, friendly atmosphere, and for its extraordinary line-up of speakers, carefully curated by a small team led by Vivienne Guinness and Hugo Jellett. It takes place each year in the magnificent surroundings of Borris House, the seat of the High Kings of Leinster, situated at the foot of the Blackstairs Mountains with the River Barrow meandering by. Spilling out into the pubs and halls of this idyllic village, the festival is a place that the curious find inspiring.

Across the weekend, over 75 speakers will participate in 60 events over the first weekend in June.

2022 will be the tenth edition of Borris House Festival of Writing & Ideas, and we are proud to have weathered the last few years to bring you another intimate and invigorating weekend, in a place as beautiful as Borris, Co Carlow.

Our aspiration is simply that ideas captured in writing of all kinds are exchanged. In this era of anger and misinformation, our speakers - celebrated historians, activists, musicians, journalists, environmentalists and literary minds - will help us navigate these uncertain times throughout the day.

And as always at Borris, a convivial atmosphere with good conversation and engaging company is all around you.

AN ARGUMENT FOR JUSTICE: Shon Faye (The Transgender Issue) and Travis Alabanza (Burgerz) discuss trans literature and art, the challenges faced by the transgender community and trans safety. With artist and activist Han Tiernan.
Friday, 10th June, 7.20pm - 8.15pm
Tickets are available here