Staged annually in the Clogher Valley since August 1992, the William Carleton Summer School returns once again this year, this time to Corrick House, running from 4-8th August.

William Carleton spent his youth in the Clogher Valley and provided literary form in his two volumes of short stories, Traits and Stories of the Irish Peasantry, 1829 and 1833, and in a succession of novels which include Fardorougha the Miser (1839), Valentine McClutchy (1845), The Black Prophet (1847), the Emigrants of Aghadarra (1848), The Tithe Proctor (1849) and The Squander of Castle Squander (1852).

The Summer School therefore aims to primarily highlight Carleton as a significant writer, worthy of serious critical attention, and to promote the study of his writings. In pursuit of these aims, it has recruited each year a number of leading academics from Ireland and farther afield, including the USA. The Summer School also presents contemporary creative writers reading from their own work and these have included a formidable list of Ireland's internationally renowned poets and novelists. Among the school's fringe events each year are art exhibitions, drama and musical events and tours of the Carleton country.

Among this year's main events will be a keynote address by Professor John Murphy and Dr Brian Earls and a discussion of a selected text with Gordon Brand on Monday, 4th August.

On Tuesday, 5th August, Professor Norman Vance will address the school while there will also be symposium on literary autobiography with Eamon Hughes, Patricia Craig, Gerald Dawe, Robin Marsh, chaired by William Crawley. Following a tour of plantation sited known to Carleton and led by Jack Johnston on Wednesday, there will be an address by Professor Edna Longley and Jack Johnston on Thursday along with readings from MacNeice by Michael Longley and poetry reading by Sinead Morrissey. On Friday, there will be an address by Dr Patrick Duffy with an address and overview by Professor Owen Dudley Edwards.

There will also be a number of fringe events throughout the week including sketches from Carleton and a musical interlude on Monday at 8.00pm.

At 6.30pm on Tuesday there will be a walk along the Carleton Trail followed by a film at 8.00pm.

There will be a writers workshop with Maura Johnston and Michael Murphy at 2.30pm on Wednesday and a musical recital in St. Macartan's Cathedral at 8.30pm.

Then on Thursday, there will be an Irish Folk night in MacSorley's Tavern.

For more information or to make a booking, contact the school on 028877677259 or e-mail killymaddy.reception@dungannon.gov.uk