Ryan Tubridy to interview Graham Norton on stage at Bantry Literary Festival in West Cork

BBC presenter Graham Norton has revealed that he will be interviewed on stage by former RTÉ presenter Ryan Tubridy at this year's West Cork Literary Festival in Bantry this coming July.

Speaking on the Brendan O'Connor show on RTÉ Radio 1 this morning, Mr Norton also spoke extensively about his love of West Cork and said he will shortly be heading 'home' to his house at Ahakista on Sheep's Head.

One of the highlights of the summer in West Cork is Mr Norton’s quiz night in aid of the Ahakista community, which takes place during the summer festival in the tiny seaside village.

Referring to the quiz, Mr Norton pointed out that the August bank holiday highlight is already sold out.

Also, in the extensive interview on RTÉ Radio 1 today, the hugely popular presenter, whose mother Rhoda still lives in Bandon, revealed that he swims every day when he is down in West Cork and while he has a huge fear of jellyfish, he hasn't been stung yet.

Mr Norton continued that he enjoys his relatively new writing career, with his mother Rhoda being a big inspiration for his stories, due to her wealth of knowledge about what is happening around West Cork.

As well as being one of the most well-known broadcasters and presenters in the UK and Ireland, Mr Norton is also the author of five novels; Holding, A Keeper, Home Stretch, Forever Home and Frankie.

The West Cork Literary Festival is a week-long celebration of writing and reading, with an extensive programme of events taking around Bantry from July 11 to July 18.

The Graham Norton interview night, on Friday July 18 in the Maritime Hotel, is already sold out, with a waiting list in operation.

Other interviews during the week will feature actor and TV presenter Richard E Grant, author Alan Hollinghurst, author and actor Carol Drinkwater (who also played Helen Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small) and film director Neil Jordan.

Speaking to The Echo, West Cork Literary Festival director Eimear O'Herlihy said she was thrilled to announce the double-header event. 

"We are so excited that Graham Norton is coming back to the West Cork Literary Festival to talk about his new novel, Frankie, and that he will be joined on stage by Ryan Tubridy," she said.

"The two incredible chat show masters together promises to be the perfect festival finale."

For further information about the West Cork Literary Festival or to view the full festival lineup, visit https://www.westcorkmusic.ie/literary-festival/