NOIRELAND 2020 Update

Hello!

It has been a while since we were last in touch and I hope you have kept safe and well in the intervening months

Back in March we were forced to postpone NOIRELAND 2020, moving it to October this year in the hope that life would be back to normal by then. Sadly, it seems we were a little optimistic! The risk to public health from Covid-19 is still significant and unlikely to change for some time. As the wellbeing of our audiences, our authors and our many wonderful volunteers is paramount, we have concluded that in the circumstances we cannot go ahead with NOIRELAND this year. 

We will be refunding ticketholders over the next 7-10 working days – it should be a straightforward process, but apologies if it takes a little longer than anticipated. Some people were kind enough to include a donation as part of their ticket purchase which will also be refunded – it’s not that we’re not grateful, we really are – but it’s a function of our box office software

Finally, on behalf of the team I would like to thank you for your continued support of the NOIRELAND International Crime Fiction Festival. We hope to bring you another great programme of events in 2021, but in the meantime please keep safe and healthy and we’ll see you next year.you have any questions please email:-info@noireland.com.

Very best wishes,

Angela McMahon

Festival Director

NOIRELAND International Crime Fiction Festival

NOIRELAND Returns in 2020 with a One-Day Festival

Belfast’s NOIRELAND International Crime Festival is returning on 28 March 2020. This year’s one-day festival showcases some of Ireland’s greatest crime novelists, lends a helping hand to aspiring writers, and highlights Belfast significant impact on the world of crime fiction, on page and on screen. 

THE PROGRAMME 

This year the festival falls into three parts:’ The Writers’ Morning’, ‘A Noirish Afternoon in Belfast’ and ‘A Noirish Night of Stars’. Special guests include bestselling crime writers from the UK - #1 bestseller Mark Billingham, multi-award-winning novelist Abir Mukherjee, and Ann Cleeves creator of the Vera and Shetland series. The programme is packed to the brim with Ireland’s own international bestsellers: Liz Nugent, Brian McGilloway, Adrian McKinty, Jane Casey and Steve Cavanagh – with exclusive previews of their latest novels.

NUTURING TALENT


A keystone of NOIRELAND is the nurturing of new and emerging local talent. ‘The Writers’ Morning’provides an accessible and affordable introduction to creative writing, followed by a session with publishing professionals offering insights and practical advice on getting into print. Prices for these sessions have been kept deliberately low to encourage anyone with an interest in writing to join in. More information can be found on the NOIRELAND website. 

A ONE DAY FESTIVAL
  

While in previously NOIRELAND has taken place over the course of a weekend, this year it is a one day only event. When planning the festival in autumn 2019, concerns over Brexit and its impact on Northern Ireland convinced the programme committee that a digested version of the festival would be more appropriate in uncertain times. Plans are already being put into place for a return to the full-scale weekend event for 2021. 

NOIRELAND takes place 28 March 2020 at Belfast’s Clayton Hotel. The full programme can be found below. 

WRITER’S MORNING 

Our beginner’s guide to writing is the perfect introduction to the creative process, and a great kick start to following your dreams of being a novelist. Our experts will provide an overview of a book’s lifecycle, from writing your book to then getting it published. 

SO YOU WANNA BE A WRITER? 

10:00-11:45 

TICKETS: £20/£15
 -

Have you always fancied the idea of writing a novel but didn’t know where to start?
 Gerard Brennan, an acclaimed crime novelist and tutor, provides an introduction to the world of creative writing, to help get you started. Over the morning Gerard, will be discussing the importance of structure, plotting and how to create characters. A great taster for all aspiring authors. (Includes a break at 11am). 

ASK THE EXPERTS 

12:00-13:00 

TICKETS: £8/£6
. 

So, you’ve got your idea for a novel, you might even have a manuscript, but what’s the next step to getting published? NOIRELAND has brought together a panel of publishing experts – Katherine Armstrong, Editorial Director at Bonnier Zaffre, Angela McMahon, Director of Flow Communications and crime PR specialist, and Lisa Moylett, an experienced literary agent at the CMM Agency in London. 

A NOIRISH AFTERNOON IN BELFAST 

Explore the city’s dark side on Saturday afternoon with a choice of tours and a special screening of Odd Man Out, Belfast’s very own Film Noir. 

NOIRELAND WALKING TOUR 

14:00-15:15 

TICKETS: £10.  


We’re partnering with Belfast Hidden Tours for a very special NOIRELAND tour of the city. Simon Maltman, a crime writer and expert on the city’s ‘noirist’ corners, will take you on a special NOIRELAND walking tour. The walk, which lasts roughly 75 mins, visits locations from award-winning crime novels, iconic sites from television’s most popular dramas and explores the landmarks, pubs and alleyways featured in Odd Man Out, one of the best Film Noir movies of all time. 

ODD MAN OUT at the Movie House, Dublin Road


15:30-17:30


TICKETS: £6/£5
.  

We have teamed up with Belfast’s Movie House for a special screening of Odd Man Out(1947), Carol Reed’s masterpiece set in Belfast. It is one of the earliest examples of film noir to be made outside of the US and has been a major influence on some of cinema’s greatest filmmakers, including Roman Polanski who cites it as his favourite movie. The event includes a special introduction to our noir matinee, providing insight into its production, the crime novel that inspired it and how Odd Man Out has influenced film makers and writers since. 

A NOIRISH NIGHT OF STARS

AN ENGLISHMAN, AN IRISHMAN AND A SCOTSMAN 

WALK INTO THE NOIR 

18:00-19:00 

TICKETS: £10/£8.  


Three pals – and crime writing greats – get together for a bit of craic, to chat about where they come from, their writing and their latest novels. Last year three award-winning women crime writers had us rolling in the aisles, so this year Mark Billingham, Steve Cavanagh and Abir Mukherjee will be bringing their wit, wisdom and one-liners to NOIRELAND. No pressure lads, but your counterparts from last year were hysterical! 

A CRIME OF THE TIMES 

19:30-20:30 

TICKETS: £8/£6
. 

May you live in interesting times’ and we certainly do! Crime fiction is one of the best mediums to explore issues of the day, while still entertaining readers along the way.
  Paul Waters, the Belfast-born broadcaster, will be exploring the hottest topics around, talking to Jane Casey about the dark world of elite gentlemen’s clubs post #MeToo, Alan Judd on his latest thriller about spies at the heart of the Brexit negotiations, Gary Donnelly on how we deal with our past in his cop thriller set in contemporary Belfast, and Liz Nugent on her new novel exploring the cult of celebrity and its inherent dangers. 

ANN CLEEVES interviews BRIAN MCGILLOWAY 

21:00-22:00 

TICKETS: £10/£8
.  

One of the highlights of NOIRELAND 2019 was Brian McGilloway’s interview with bestselling crime novelist Ann Cleeves. The old friends are back again, but this time Ann will be interviewing Brian about his new novel The Last Crossing, described as ‘the peak of what crime fiction can do’ (Steve Cavanagh) and an ‘extraordinary novel’ (Adrian McKinty).
 A must-see event for fans of Brian McGilloway, Ann Cleeves and anyone who loves truly great crime writing. 

JACK-A-NOIR-Y: 

The Detective Up Late 

22:30-23:30 

TICKETS: £10/£8.  


NOIRELAND 2020 ends on Saturday night with Jack-a-noir-y, our bedtime story for grown-ups. So grab a drink, settle down and listen to an exclusive extract from a very hotly anticipated novel. This year our bedtime story will be from The Detective Up Late, a new Sean Duffy novel from Adrian McKinty, which won’t be hitting the shops until 2021! Adrian will be introducing the book in person and talking a little about his award-winning 
Sean Duffy series. 

TICKETS AND CONCESSIONS 

Tickets are available at the NOIRELAND box office: www.noireland.com/box-office, or at the venue on the day (28 March). 

People in receipt of Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, or Job Seekers allowance, Students, Children (12–18 years) and disabled people are entitled to a concession discount. 

PASSES 

A pass to all events at NOIRELAND is available to purchase: £75/£50 conc. A ‘Writers’ Morning Pass’ is available to purchase: £25/£18 conc.
A ‘A Noirish Night of Stars’ is available to purchase: £32/£22 conc. 

Terms & Conditions apply. See our website for more details: 

www.noireland.com 

GETTING TO NOIRELAND 

NOIRELAND takes place at the Clayton Hotel, 

22-26 Ormeau Avenue, Belfast BT2 8HS 

The venue is just 5 minutes from the train and bus centre on Great Victoria Street, with its links to Belfast International and Belfast City airports.
Visit www.translink.co.uk to plan your journey. 

Adrian Dunbar to read at NOIRELAND’s Jack-a-NOIR-y

The NOIRELAND International Crime Fiction Festival is thrilled to announce Adrian Dunbar will be appearing at this year’s weekend event which takes place 8-10 March in Belfast.  

The renowned Northern Irish actor and star of BBC’s Line of Duty will be presenting ‘Jack-a-NOIR-y’, a bedtime story for grown-ups. Dunbar will be reading an exclusive extract from A Book of Bones, the forthcoming new novel from international bestseller John Connolly.  

Jack-a-NOIR-y is a brand new event for NOIRELAND 2019. The Irish love of a good yarn is renowned, and has fostered a nation of storytellers. The soaring popularity of audiobooks and podcasts shows it’s not just the Irish who love listening to a great story, so this is sure to be a festival favourite.

Jack-a-NOIR-y is the closing event of Saturday’s festival programme and takes place in the atmospheric surroundings of the penthouse room of Belfast’s Europa Hotel. It will feature a filmed introduction from John Connolly, followed by Adrian Dunbar reading an extended extract from A Book of Bones. 

This is a return visit to NOIRELAND from Dunbar, who appeared alongside Jed Mercurio in ‘Behind the Scenes of Line of Duty’ at the inaugural 2017 festival. He is one of Ireland’s greatest actors, and has become a household name since playing DCI Ted Hastings in the BAFTA-winning crime series, which is filmed in Belfast. 

NOIRELAND to return in Spring 2019

Belfast’s NOIRELAND International Crime Festival is delighted to announce a spring 2019 return, with another weekend of stellar names from the world of crime fiction.

NOIRELAND launched in October 2017 with a brilliant line-up featuring the best in local talent, international crime-writing stars, and some of the greatest names from TV crime drama. Highlights included the Line of Duty event with its BAFTA-winning creator Jed Mercurio and star Adrian Dunbar, author panels with Robert Crais, Benjamin Black, Adrian McKinty, Arne Dahl and Liz Nugent, and a closing event with internationally renowned actor Aidan Gillen, discussing the role crime fiction has played in his life and career.

NOIRELAND will be moving from the autumn to become a spring festival, and will take place once again at Belfast’s iconic Europa Hotel. Plans are already afoot and it is shaping up to be another superb weekend of crime fiction, with interviews and discussions featuring some of the greatest names from page and screen.

NOIRELAND takes place 8-10 March 2019. The festival programme will be announced and the ticket office will open on 16 November 2018.

NOIRISH NIGHTS IN NOVEMBER

Following the success of NOIRELAND, the audience has been crying out for more events. So we are delighted to announce that NOIRELAND will be hosting two very special events this autumn:

FUN LOVIN’ CRIME WRITERS Friday 2 November

A unique evening of music and books, with crime fiction’s supergroup, the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers. Featuring authors Mark Billingham, Val McDermid, Christopher Brookmyre, Stuart Neville, Luca Veste and Doug Johnstone.

IAN RANKIN in Conversation with Brian McGilloway Friday 16 November

International bestseller Ian Rankin will be talking about his latest novel In A House of Lies and the recent 30th anniversary of his iconic detective John Rebus.

http://www.noireland.com

For more information on NOIRELAND or NOIRISH NIGHTS contact Angela McMahon angela@flow-comms.co.uk | 07753 384711

Noireland!

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME 

Europa Hotel, Belfast

FRIDAY 27 OCTOBER

9:30-11:00 Crime writing workshop 1

Crime screenwriting workshop 2

11:30:1:00 Crime writing workshop 1 Crime screenwriting workshop 2

2:00-3:30 Crime writing workshop 1 Crime screenwriting workshop 2

4:00-5:30 Crime writing workshop 1 Crime screenwriting workshop 2

6.30pm-7:15pm OPENING NIGHT PARTY

Join us for a celebration of crime fiction. You will be in the company of some of the legends of crime writing, along with hottest new talent around.

7:30pm-8:30pm LINE OF DUTY

In the spotlight The BBC’s award-winning crime drama Line of Duty has been voted one of the best cop shows of all time. Its creator Jed Mercurio, Adrian Dunbar who plays Superintendent Ted Hastings and the show’s producer Stephen Wright talk about working on one of the greatest crime series on the small screen.

9-10pm BENJAMIN BLACK in conversation with David Torrans John Banville, one of Ireland’s greatest novelists talks about his other life as crime novelist Benjamin Black. From his misanthropic pathologist Quirke, who first appeared in Christine Falls, to his latest historical crime novel Prague Nights, fans will get an insight into what it takes to juggle two separate identities and genres.

SATURDAY 28 OCTOBER

10am-11am A SAFE FEAR

What makes you really scared? Caz Frear, Jo Spain, Ali Land and Steve Mosby discuss why we use crime fiction to explore our deepest fears.

11.30am-12.30pm IDENTITIES

Adrian McKinty, Abir Mukherjee, Stella Duffy and Louise Welsh reflect on questions around identity and how crime fiction explores sexuality, gender, race, culture and religion.

2pm-3pm BORDERLANDS

Borders have shaped the people who live near them for centuries – the culture, politics and the crime that arise because of them. Brian McGilloway, David Young, Arne Dahl and Claire McGowan discuss with Craig Robertson how borders across Britain, Ireland and Europe have inspired their crime writing. They also take a look into the future at what opportunities Brexit might pose for a crime writer.

3.30pm-4:30pm THE DARK SIDE OF COUNTRY LIFE

Beneath the chocolate-box façade, for many crime writers the countryside is a deadly place. From murder mysteries to claustrophobic thrillers, rural life can be a dark and threatening existence. Graeme Macrae Burnet, Anthony J. Quinn, Andrea Carter and Ruth Ware discuss their latest dark tales from the countryside.

5pm-6pm AMERICANA

Stuart Neville (who also writes as Haylen Beck), Helen Callaghan, Ray Celestin discuss why the USA attracts so many crime writers as a setting for their novels – whether they’re American or not. Is America just the perfect location for a crime and, if so, why?

8pm-9pm ROBERT CRAIS in conversation

International bestseller Robert Crais is one of crime fiction’s most influential writers. His career started in television where he was one of Hollywood’s hottest screenwriters, working on legendary shows including Hill Street Blues, Cagney & Lacey and Miami Vice. He then became a full-time novelist, creating one of crime fiction’s most loved partnerships Elvis Cole & Joe Pike.

10pm-late HALLOWEEN PARTY

A criminally good Halloween party! Live music and an award for the best crime-themed costume.

SUNDAY 29 OCTOBER

10.30am-11.30am

TELLING A CRIME STORY 

Steve Cavanagh, Craig Robertson and Eoin McNamee talk to Diana Bretherick about our fascination with real crime and why some people find criminals so fascinating. They discuss the constraints and morality of constructing a narrative around a real crime, either through fiction, or through journalism.

12pm-1pm VIKING v CELT

It’s been over a millennium since the first Viking invasion of Ireland and crime fiction fans are enjoying the current invasion a lot more! But are the Celts and the Vikings so very different? We explore the similarities between Scandinavian and Irish crime fiction with two of the greatest proponents from each side: bestselling novelists Arne Dahl and Liz Nugent.

2:30pm-3:30pm CHRISTIE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

The whodunit has been hugely popular for well over a century. Three contemporary crime novelists Ruth Ware, Martin Edwards and Andrew Wilson, discuss how the murder mystery is being re-invented for modern audiences.

4pm-5pm SOPHIE HANNAH

The multi-talented, bestselling novelist Sophie Hannah talks to journalist Jake Kerridge about her writing career. From her gripping psychological thrillers to the internationally bestselling Hercule Poirot follow on novels, Sophie is one of Britain’s best-loved crime novelists.