Culture and literature lovers rejoice - the Hay Festival Kells is back for a second year from July 3 - 6 with a very impressive programme.

The Hay Festivals team produce events that take place across five continents to celebrate great writing from all around the world. This year an exciting range of Irish and international writers will descend on Kells to share their knowledgeable insights with fans of world-class literature.

Highlights include novelists Louis de Bernières, Joe O'Connor and Donal Ryan; poets Nerys Williams, Eamon Grennan, Rosita Boland and Tom French; children and young adult writers Darren Shan, Sarah Webb, Judi Curtin and Paula Leydon; journalists Manchán Magan and Robert O'Byrne; with biographers, academics, broadcasters also appearing - and many many more.

As well as celebrating writing, visitors can enjoy a host of Irish language events, a new food village, and incorporated into the festival will be the fifth annual Kells Type Trail.

Hay Festival Producer, Lyndy Cooke says, "We are delighted to be back after a thrilling inaugural year and we are looking forward to an even bigger opportunity to celebrate language, share stories and ideas with authors, poets, playwrights, sportsmen, chefs and actors in the historic town of Kells. We're ready to debate and discuss. Join us for chapter two of many chapters of Hay Festival Kells."

For more details see hayfestival.org/kells