My name is Max O’Rover. Yes, it’s a pseudonym. And yes, it has to do with the idea of travel, of movement — above all, of return. Return to Ireland.

Last June 15th, I had the privilege of attending a highly anticipated event at the Dalkey Book Festival, where Barry McGovern, one of the world's premier interpreters of Samuel Beckett, performed a captivating reading from Beckett's works. Joined by fellow Beckettians, the evening reaffirmed Beckett's enduring relevance and showcased McGovern's exceptional ability to blend humor and existential reflection. As the performance concluded, thoughts of bringing such a profound experience to the San Patrizio Livorno Festival sparked excitement and inspiration for future cultural exchanges.

Beckett at the end of the world. Or: waiting for Laethanta Sona

John Banville, one of our guests of honour in 2019, makes a welcome return to this virtual edition of the San Patrizio Livorno Festival 2021. ZoomID: 864 8946 5203Passcode: 664063 John Banville will converse with the co-founder and godmother of the Festival, Catherine Dunne, about his most recent work: Delitto …

Manchán Magan is a very interesting voice of the Irish cultural landscape, and a Gaeilge voice indeed. “Thirty-Two Words for Field - Lost Words of the Irish Landscape” Landscape is his most recent work: we interviewed him about the book and a lot more of Gaeilge things!

Last summer the end of the first lock down brought something great, after some very tough months. I am now living not far from Beckett's birthplace. The house has a nice garden and I spent a lot of hours in it, during the summer and after the summer as well. Today, almost exactly six months later, I stumbled on a Tweet about bird watching.

The ghost of Finglas past - An Italo-Irish writer in lock down

I wrote before about Beckett in relation to Tolkien; even to Pokemons. It’s not my fault. It’s his merit. It’s Five days To Saint Patrick’s. The Saint Patrick’s day that won’t happen. Five days to the Pre – San Patrizio Livorno Festival that won’t happen. On Saint Patrick’s day I …

John Banville in Italy, guest of honour along with Catherine Dunne, of the San Patrizio Livorno Festival 2019

The first or the last? An Irish soda bread short story by Max O’Rover