The 37th annual Oliver Goldsmith International Literary Festival is underway online this weekend.
The event is a social, cultural and literary commemoration of the work of south Longford author playwright and poet, with a modern-day focus.
This year's festival will take Goldsmith's famed pastoral poem ''The Deserted Village'', and look at the theme of The Future Sustainability of Irish Agriculture.
Minister Charlie McConalogue opened the event last night and this evening there will have contributions from TD Michael Fitzmaurice, the ESRI's Professor John Fitzgerald with a bespoke piece from actor and writer .
Full details and registration for the event which continues tomorrow are on www.olivergoldsmithfestival.com
Arthur Conlon chairman of festival says the Goldsmith's take on rural life still resonates today:
