The Cúirt International Festival of Literature has opened in Galway with a programme of over 50 events.
This year also features performances by acclaimed Irish poets from the LGBT+ community.
The festival is now in its 38th year and will showcase the literary skills of poets and writers in workshops, theatres and exhibitions.
Acclaimed authors including Sebastian Barry, Anne Enright and Max Porter will read from their work along with prominent new Irish writers, Louise Kennedy and Elaine Feeney.
"We hope this programme allows for new conversations, new perspectives and a shared love of literature," said festival manager Aisling O'Riordan.
"Cúirt is all about discovering new writers and cherishing the ones we already know."
Elaine Feeney is a poet and writer from Galway. Her second novel, called How to Build a Boat, centres around a teenager and two teachers whose paths cross and stories unfold. Much of the author's work is informed by her west of Ireland roots.
"It's a novel based in the west of Ireland and it follows the story of Jamie, who's about to start his first day in secondary school in a school called Christ College," Ms Feeney said.
"While there he meets two teachers Tess and Tadgh. And together, if it's not giving too much away, they set about building a currach which transforms lives.
"I'm from Athenry and I've been writing about the west of Ireland ever since I was in my teens.
"It's a really beautiful and bountiful place, but it can be quite brutal and brilliant as well.
"I'm still living in the house that I grew up in. And it's an important thing for me to just write about place and stay here and reflect on the west of Ireland. It's very important to me. I just love its energy."
This year's festival also features performances by distinctive Irish voices in the LGBT+ community.
An anthology of poetry entitled 'Queering the Green' features 31 Irish artists.
Poet and editor, Colette Bryce, says the inclusion of this work in the festival is a sign of the times showing greater inclusivity and giving a platform to up and coming talent.
"When I started out even an anthology of poetry by women was a big thing. So this is really a sign of the times, of greater inclusivity," said Ms Bryce.
"It also sets down a landmark for young queer, lesbian, gay, non-binary poets that are up and coming.
"Festivals like this give them a voice and a platform."
The anthology is edited by Paul Maddern.
"This anthology brings together 31 of the most distinctive queer Irish poets to emerge since 2000, representing the multiplicity and vibrancy of the queer experience in 21st Century Ireland.
"The poems in this anthology address the exclusions of the past, speak to the diversity of the present, and point towards the radical possibilities of the future."
"Cúirt is a very important festival and we're delighted to be associated with it," said Vinny Browne, manager of Charlie Byrne's bookshop in Galway City.
"Throughout the rest of the year we have various workshops and bookclubs and launches, but this is our annual highlight. It's Christmas week and St Patrick's Day all rolled into one."
The Cúirt festival runs until Sunday.
