Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Public Library service is proud to host the DLR Library Voices series. The library service has a long and rich tradition of cultural programming and this series is part of our mission to present great literary names to the community

Following the hugely successful launch of "DLR Library Voices" in spring, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Library Service continues the series this autumn with a fascinating line-up of events.

On Thursday, October 2nd (7.30pm) Tim Pat Coogan will be on stage discussing his works, his recent memoirs and more. An editor of the Irish Press for twenty years, Tim Pat Coogan has always been uniquely placed to comment authoritatively on all aspects of Irish current affairs as well as providing an understanding of the 'hidden Ireland' of the IRA. A forthright commentator, bestselling author, broadcaster and historian, he played a central role in the political maelstrom of The Troubles and their ultimate resolution. Now, in this long-awaited A Memoir, Tim Pat looks back on the public and private aspects of a life lived at the centre of Irish politics and Irish society.

On Tuesday, October 14th (8pm) DLR Library Voices will host Booker Prize Night, with panellists Declan Hughes, Claire Kilroy and Alison Walsh. The Man Booker Prize remains the most important literary award in terms of prestige and sales potential for the ultimate winner. Irish writers have done extraordinarily well recently with John Banville winning in 2005 and Anne Enright in 2007. Can Sebastian Barry emulate their success with The Secret Scripture? Hear three astute critics discuss the shortlisted titles and join in the general discussion. As the evening draws to a close we will announce the winner from London's Guildhall.

The series continues with a poetry evening on Wednesday, November 5th (7.30pm) with two of Ireland's major poets, Gerald Dawe and Brendan Kennelly, in the company of Leontia Flynn, recent winner of the prestigious Rooney Prize for Literature 2008. Leontia's latest collection from Cape is entitled Drives (2008). Gerald's is Points West from Gallery Press (2008.) Described by one critic as Ireland's "most endearing and reckless poet" Brendan Kennelly has been enchanting reading audiences for longer than he cares to remember.

The season of DLR Library Voices concludes on Thursday, November 13th (7.30pm) with an evening in the company of Niall Williams and Chris Binchy. Since his first novel, Four Letters of Love, Niall Williams has established a firm following of loyal readers who have warmed to his rich lyrical style. His new novel, John, is an extraordinary portrait of St John of the gospels and his travails on the island of Patmos. It is a prodigious feat of imagination written with real poetic vision. Chris Binchy is back with a new novel and a new publisher. Already enjoying rave reviews, Open-handed has been hailed as the definitive chronicle of the Celtic Tiger era. It traces the stories of five characters, two Irish and three Eastern European, who become entangled with one another in a web of politics, property, sex and violence.

All events are staged in County Hall in an informal and intimate setting. Tickets, priced €5, are available in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Library Branches or by calling DLR Library HQ on 01-2781788.