Literature key to Dublin's economic renewal - Mayor

THE IMPORTANCE of Dublin’s literary activity to its economic renewal was highlighted at the launch of the Dublin Book Festival last night.

Over 100 Irish authors, poets and journalists will feature in the festival, which runs from March 6th to 8th. Speaking at the launch, Lord Mayor of Dublin Emer Costello said that promoting Dublin as a creative and cultural city was important to economic renewal.
Festival artistic director Alan Hayes said he was hopeful that Dublin would be designated a Unesco International City of Literature in the next few months.
This “huge opportunity” would open the city to an international audience and bring in cultural tourists, who spend more money and stay longer, he said.
Surviving redundancy and Ireland’s rebel history are among the issues being debated in a series of public discussions which are taking place throughout the festival. Irish Times literary editor Caroline Walsh will join a discussion on the art of literary criticism, while Irish Times journalists Gerry Thornley and Gavin Cummiskey will explore sports writing in Ireland.

Full report here Irish Times