Established in 1986 and quickly becoming one of the premier literature festivals in all of Europe (and beyond), the Cúirt International Festival of Literature launches its 2013 program in Galway today.  The festival will run through Sunday, April 28th, and will feature some of the very best in what modern Irish literature has to offer (as well as literature from other parts of the world).

Describing a past Cúirt festival, The Observer (London) noted:

"One of the world's leaders in this field. Galway, indeed, boasted the kind of list that would put most English and Welsh festivals to shame. The Cuirt Festival was convivial, international and timeless. It had the kind of atmosphere that Shakespeare himself might have reveled in."

We will be fortunate to get a "taste" of this festival here as Galway-based Wild Geese member, Ryan O'Rourke, will be making the rounds to some of the festival venues this week.  Look for Ryan's impressions and photos here on The Wild Geese some time early next week.  If you are a lover of literature, it just may help you decide to make your next trip to Ireland coincide with the Cúirt festival.

Ryan is asking The Wild Geese members to make suggestions on which events and authors especially interest us.  You can look through the festival program (which is a work of art itself) by clicking here.  If you have any requests or suggestions for Ryan, just leave a comment for him below.

For more information on Cúirt, visit their website -- www.Cuirt.ie.