Austen Under The Stars

Most readers have fallen in love with Jane Austen’s writing – and wit – between the sheets of a well-thumbed novel; but what about rediscovering one of her best-loved stories under the stars? Chapterhouse Theatre Company is currently touring its latest adaptation of Pride & Prejudice by writer Laura Tuner at some of Ireland’s most spectacular country homes, with remaining dates at Markree Castle in Collooney, Co Sligo, on Thursday 20 July at 6.30pm and at Hilton Park in Clones, Co Monaghan, on Sunday 23 July. Theatre goers are advised to bring their own rugs or low-backed seating, with tickets available at €19 for adults, €14 for children or €56 for a family (two adults and two children).

Call Markree Castle on 071-916-7800 and Hilton Park on 047-56007 or visit www.seetickets.com

Have A Ball In Ballinacurra

Jane Austen wrote in Pride & Prejudice that “to be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love”. So in that spirit, Kinsale’s latest literary festival, Words by Water, will host a fundraising country ball on 1 September to celebrate her bicentenary, with everything from Baroque ballroom dancing to live dinner theatre.

Taking place in the atmospheric surrounds of Ballinacurra House – an 18th century home overlooking the Bandon River – guests are invited to arrive in costume for drinks on the lawn before enjoying dance tuition from world-renowned teacher Mary Collins to the strains of a Baroque trio. Scenes from some of Austen’s greatest works will also be performed by players from the Classic Times Theatre Company over a three-course dinner, followed by more dancing with your very own Mr Darcy.

“There will of course be awards for the best dressed man and woman, and no prizes for swimming in the lake!,” quips Adrian Wistreich, one of the organisers of Words By Water, which will take place from 5-8 October.

Tickets for the ball are available for €85 at www.wordsbywater.ie

Limerick, You’re A Lady

Did you know that Mr Darcy in Pride & Prejudice is said to have been inspired by a Limerick lawyer named Tom Lefroy, who was Austen’s own romantic interest? Well, the county is certainly pulling out all the stops to celebrate the bicentenary with Jane Austen 200 Limerick, a series of events curated by writer Rose Servitova, author of the recently published The Longbourn Letters, which reimagines a bromance between key characters in Pride & Prejudice.

Highlights include a free talk on Georgian clothing on 22 September at Friarsgate Theatre, Kilmallock as part of Culture Night, an Austen-themed afternoon tea and talk on 23 September at No 1 Pery Square, two special events on 5 October with world-renowned period costume designer Eimer Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh, who has worked on films including Becoming Jane and Love & Friendship, and performances of Penny Ashton’s Promise & Promiscuity on 3 and 9 November, where the New Zealand woman tackles “all of Austen’s characters with song, dance and appalling cross-stitching”.

For further information, visit www.facebook.com/janeausten200limerick

Join The Janeites

Making the work of Austen accessible to all – along with copious cups of tea and slices of cake – is the aim of The Cork Friends of Jane Austen, which was founded in 2014 as a follow-up to a short UCC course on the writer in Fota House. This friendly group of amateur scholars meets on the first Tuesday of each month (except January) at 11am at Bishopstown Library in Wilton to discuss Jane’s books, as well as films, documentaries and articles relating to her life and work. They also travel to events run by other Janeites. To celebrate the bicentenary, the group will host a special event at Bishopstown Library on Culture Night on 22 September, entitled Reason, Passion And A Bit Of A Laugh In Jane Austen, with a talk and Q&A with Dr Bernadette McCarthy and Dr Emma Bidwell, performances and readings from Sense & Sensibility, Emma and The Longbourn Letters, and food, wine and music, as well as a colouring competition for younger Austen fans during the day. Membership is free. For further information, connect on Twitter @corkjaneites or email corkfriendsofjaneausten2014@gmail.com

Another group celebrating the bicentenary is the Jane Austen Society of Ireland. Follow on Facebook or visit www.thejaneaustensocietyofireland.com for further information and upcoming events at home and abroad.

Get thee to the library

To celebrate all things Austen in your local community, why not check out what celebrations are planned in your library? In Co Laois, for example, events to date have included an introduction to Jane evening class in Portarlington and a bonnet making workshop in Durrow, with further activities planned to celebrate the bicentenary, as well as book displays of some of her best loved classics.

Or if you have yet to explore the world of Austen, ask your friendly librarian for a recommendation, or consider selecting one of her novels for your next book club meeting.