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Where Art & Nature Meet

The Shaking Bog

The Shaking Bog sits on the seam of two powerful and necessary forces - the creative and the natural. Based in the Glencree Valley, County Wicklow, this Festival and Podcast hope to reawaken our connection to the natural world through a vibrant blend of artistic engagement and nature immersion.

The Festival

10–12th September 2021
TICKETS ON SALE 9AM THURSDAY AUGUST 5TH

“The absolute bees-knees of literary festivals”

John Lewis-Stempel, 2019

The Glencree Valley will once again be enlivened by a host of well-known writers, artists and nature experts for a densely packed programme from 10th-12th September.

A diverse range of offerings, many of which will happen outdoors or in an open marquee, will include; readings, workshops, public interviews, outdoor performances, films, concerts, workshops, nature trails and more. Artists of the very highest calibre – both national and international - will present an array of artistic, educational and participatory events, appealing to both arts and nature lovers alike. With a focus on meaningful engagement, The Shaking Bog Festival invites people to step away from the trials of everyday life and move towards a deeper appreciation of their instinctive connection to the natural world.

Making connections through the arts and nature
Melissa Harrison

Melissa Harrison

Melissa Harrison is a widely celebrated and much loved novelist and nature writer whose hugely successful podcast, The Stubborn Light of Things was the inspiration behind The Shaking Bog Podcast. We are delighted to welcome Melissa to the festival where she will be in conversation with acclaimed writer and poet Paraic O’Donnell.

“Among our most celebrated writers in fiction and non-fiction.”
- The Sunday Times

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Kerri Ni Dochartaigh

Kerri ní Dochartaigh

One of the most remarkable and acclaimed books of last year - Thin Places - was Kerri ní Dochartaigh's memoir of life, love and nature. She will be joined in conversation by the distinguished novelist Eoin McNamee.

“A Derry writer’s powerful, unflinching account of her war-torn childhood and her quest for peace is part hymn to nature, part Troubles memoir.”
The Guardian

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Roddy Doyle

Roddy Doyle

It is an extraordinary pleasure to welcome Roddy Doyle - one of our greatest 'national treasures' and Booker Prize winning author - to the Glencree Valley. This is a rare opportunity to join Roddy for a warm, humorous and intimate conversation with the wonderful Dearbhail McDonald.

“He has the sharpest eye, the wildest sense of humour and the most benevolent heart.”
Kate Kellaway, The Observer

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Festival Highlights

Mary Coughlan
September 10, 2021 8:30 PM
Mary Coughlan
Opening Concert
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Retrospective Éamon de Buitléar
September 11, 2021 10:00 AM
Retrospective Éamon de Buitléar
Film & Panel Discussion with Paddy Woodworth Lailli de Buitléar, Jim Dalton, Paddy Glackin & Colin Stafford-Johnson
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Liz Berry & Paddy Glackin
September 11, 2021 3:00 PM
Liz Berry & Paddy Glackin
Poetry & Music
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Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill
September 11, 2021 4:00 PM
Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill
Poetry Reading
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Dara McAnulty
September 11, 2021 5:00 PM
Dara McAnulty
In Conversation with Dearbhail McDonald
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Michael Longley
September 11, 2021 7:00 PM
Michael Longley
Reading & Conversation with Professor Margaret Kelleher
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Roddy Doyle
September 12, 2021 11:00 AM
Roddy Doyle
In conversation with Dearbhail McDonald
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Nell Regan
September 12, 2021 11:30 AM
Nell Regan
Poetry Reading
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Winger Of The Blue: An Elegy for Joseph Campbell
September 12, 2021 1:00 PM
Winger Of The Blue: An Elegy for Joseph Campbell
Outdoor Performance with Lisa Lambe & Marty Rea
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Joe Hogan
September 10, 2021 4:00 PM
September 11, 2021 1:00 PM
September 12, 2021 1:00 PM
Joe Hogan
Exhibition & Talk with Maureen Kennelly
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Kerri Ní Dochartaigh
September 12, 2021 3:00 PM
Kerri Ní Dochartaigh
Reading & Conversation with Eoin McNamee
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Melissa Harrison
September 12, 2021 5:00 PM
Melissa Harrison
In conversation with Paraic O’Donnell
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Bridge Street Books is our official retail partner

Bridge Street Books

The Shaking Bog Festival's official retail partner is Bridge Street Books. They have an entire section on their website dedicated to the wonderful authors who will be appearing at The Shaking Bog.

Visit Bridge Street Books
Rural Vagabonds Coffee

Rural Vagabonds

Rural Vagabonds is a custom built and designed freewheeling cafe, conceived by two friends living abroad and built on the West Coast of Ireland.

Wanting to bring a service that is fun, comforting and offers more than the same, Rural Vagabonds is committed to working with ethically-minded and transparent suppliers with values that are similar to their own.

Their coffee is supplied by a company following Fairchain principles, which offers transparency, better support for workers within the coffee belt and a more nuanced and holistic approach to environmental issues within the coffee industry.

Rural Vagabonds are on a journey to reducing their carbon footprint and, although there is a lot more to be done, the team is continually looking at new ways to tread more lightly in the communities they support.

Currently the team are in the process of resetting up in the Kildare/ Laois region after their lease expired at Naas Retail Park last month.

Visit Rural Vagabonds

The Podcast

A seasonal podcast that compliments the festival and maintains a year round presence.

Offering a rich tapestry of readings, reflections and conversations from some of Ireland’s finest writers, artists and nature experts, each episode offers a carefully crafted and varied canvas of voices from a diverse range of artistic disciplines. Interweaving gentle observations of life, art and nature, the podcast endeavours to bring the listener on an intimate meander through the seasons.

All episodes

Most Recent Episode

Knocksink

Knocksink

Latest News

The Shaking Blog – May 2023

It has been a very long winter. Or, at least, it has felt that way here in the Glencree Valley.

Read full article...
Read more from The Shaking Blog
The Shaking Blog – May 2023

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Become a Friend of the Festival

The Shaking Bog would like to invite you to share in our vision and help us to grow by becoming a friend of the festival. In return you will receive exclusive benefits including; complimentary tickets, early bird bookings and more. Your support is greatly appreciated.

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"a beautiful event, with a marquee full of audience, and so appreciative! ...a superb new festival!"
Pascale Petit

About Us

The Shaking Bog

Find out about the festival
Nature writing icon copyright Ronan McDonnell

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Arts Council Funded
Coillte nature logo
St Patricks church, enniskerry
The Glencree society
The arch house enniskerry