NI Children’s Hospice is delighted to be the charity partner again, as an exciting line-up of speakers was recently announced for the third Ballyscullion Park Book Festival, taking place on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May 2026.

Held in the beautiful and historic surroundings of Ballyscullion House in the heart of Seamus Heaney country, near Bellaghy in Mid Ulster, the Festival’s mission is to showcase and celebrate books, poetry, music and the arts with a particular focus on speakers and artists from throughout the island of Ireland, as well as from the across the UK and the wider world.

Pictured at the launch event are Rosalind Mulholland, Joint Owner and Director at Ballyscullion Park; author Lyndsy Spence; and Kieran Buchanan, NI Hospice Fundraising Support Group Manager.

Rosalind Mulholland, Festival Director, said: “The festival welcomes people from every background and all ages, celebrating the richness of our culture, and provides a space where stories and ideas bring people together. Festival attendees choose from talks, readings and panel discussions over the two days of the Festival. Between sessions they can rub shoulders with their favourite writers in a relaxed and informal setting and enjoy live music, local food stalls, artisan market and an art exhibition.

“The 2026 Ballyscullion Park Book Festival will once again bring together some of the most compelling voices in literature, music, and the arts, alongside stimulating discussions on the issues that shape our world. In association with the Mitchell Institute at Queen’s University, we’re creating a programme that blends culture, conversation, and creativity.

“We are delighted to have NI Children’s Hospice as our charity partner for the second year.”

2026 speakers include:

·       Carlo Gébler, Book Festival Patron; writer, TV director and commentator

·       Lionel Shriver; Novelist and journalist, winner of the Orange Prize for Fiction 2025 for We Need to Talk about Kevin

·       Andy Heyn, Honorary Professor of Practice, The Senator George J Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice. Moderator of panel discussions

·       Martina Devlin; award-winning novelist and author of Charlotte, about Charlotte Bronte’s honeymoon in Ireland.

·       James Murphy; bestselling author of crime fiction, and the Crime Writers’ Association Master Convener (Ireland)

·       Kathy Clugston; radio presenter and co-author with Rob Stepney of Good, Occasionally Rhyming poetry collection.

·       Martin Doyle, Irish Times Books Editor and author of Dirty Linen; The Troubles in my Home Place

·       Lyndsy Spence; bestselling author, historian and screenwriter who specializes in daring aristocratic women.

·       Charlotte Blease; Philosopher, health researcher and author of Dr Bot: Why Doctors Can Fail Us and How AI Could Save Lives.

·       Emma Heatherington, bestselling author and writing coach, her new book Every Christmas Eve, was released October 2025.

·       Shauna Lawless: novelist and author of the Gael Song fantasy trilogy.

·       Rob Stepney; poet and medical science journalist.

·       Madeleine Keane; Literary Editor of the Sunday Independent. Chair of Children's Books Ireland.

·       Alec Marsh; journalist and author of political thrillers.

·       Neil Porteous; Historic Garden Consultant & Plantsman

·       Forest Isaac Jones; US author and historian of Irish History and the US Civil Rights Movement

·       Rebecca Brownlee; Photographer, broadcaster and author of Abandoned Ireland

·       Adrian Tinniswood; Historian and Author of Houses of Guinness

More information via https://www.ballyscullionparkbookfestival.com/

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