Novelist Gail Honeyman joins conversation at BBC Mount Stewart Conversations event

Gail whose acclaimed debut novel, Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, tackles the subject of loneliness, will join the Books, Healing And Heartache - Life Stories conversation which also features Cathy Rentzenbrink, author of A Manual For Heartache.

The conversation is one of a series of discussions and events BBC Northern Ireland will be hosting as part of the annual Mount Stewart Conversations - a joint initiative with the National Trust.

The BBC Mount Stewart Conversations 2017 will focus on journeys, journalism and books in the company of a stellar line-up of guests. BBC events at Mount Stewart will coincide with Book Week, another local BBC partnership involving Libraries NI which seeks to promote the pleasures and benefits of reading. All of this means that writers will be to the fore, but there'll be music-making too from the Ulster Orchestra in a series of special, small-scale performances at Mount Stewart.

BBC Mount Stewart events will include: discussions about the events and legacies of the Reformation; C.S. Lewis and the BBC; stories and people from the ancient world and their contemporary relevance, including Homer's Odyssey; fake news and its discontents; political comedy (with Jonathan Lynn who co-wrote the Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister series); books and heartache; the stories surrounding some of our most common trees; and what buildings can tell us about different cultures and periods of history.

BBC hosts for the Mount Stewart Conversations 2017 will be William Crawley and Tara Mills. Confirmed contributors include: David Starkey, Dan Cruickshank, Alister McGrath, Edith Hall, Natalie Haynes, Jonathan Lynn, Fiona Stafford, John Lloyd, Cathy Rentzenbrink, Robert McCrum, Geraldine McCaughrean and Julian Baggini.

BBC events will run alongside, and complement, an ambitious programme of talks, performances and events being organised by the National Trust. Further details and booking information is available on its website. Tickets for some National Trust activities may also be available on the day.

Mark Adair, BBC Northern Ireland’s Head of Corporate Affairs says: “We are so pleased to be hosting a series of BBC events at Mount Stewart, working in association with our colleagues at the National Trust. Our events will explore the connections between the worlds of books, broadcasting and ideas and we’ll be joined by an incredibly talented line-up of contributors. It promises to be a fun weekend, with something for everyone.”

BBC Presenter Tara Mills says: “This year's themes are diverse and there really is something for everyone. I'm especially looking forward to the conversation about adversity and the idea of how people deal with trauma. The session on fake news should also be particularly relevant this year - it's been such a part of our narrative over the last number of months.”

For further information about free BBC events at Mount Stewart and tickets, visit our website: bbc.co.uk/tickets

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Reformation - Events And Legacies

Tuesday 3 October, 2017: Blackstaff Studio A

Dr David Starkey will be in conversation about... his new programme on The Reformation, which will be shown later this month on BBC network television. He will describe how Martin Luther's actions in Wittenberg 500 years ago have affected religion, culture and politics around the world. His focus will be on the events of 1517 and their immediate aftermath, including their effect on England - where Henry VIII's split with Rome became what he describes as "a Tudor Brexit". Our event will include an exclusive preview screening of David Starkey's new documentary, and a little time for conversation about his career as an historian, author and commentator.

Dr David Starkey is a well-known broadcaster and historian. He has written extensively about the Tudor period and on constitutional themes and has also explored the interface between history and current affairs in numerous BBC programmes.

Life, Literature And Mortality - A Writer's Perspective

Thursday 12 October, 2017: Blackstaff Studio A

Robert McCrum will be in conversation about... his new book about the prospect of death and feelings of mortality. He will be chatting about the experiences that have informed his new memoir, including the after-effects of the stroke that he suffered in 1995, and the other stories and writers who feature in this meditation on life, death and the meaning of things. We will also take the opportunity to discuss some of Robert's favourite writers, several of of whom featured in his celebrated interviews for The Observer, and his biography of P.G. Wodehouse. This event is part of Book Week, a joint initiative between the BBC and Libraries NI.

Robert McCrum was editor-in-chief of Faber and Faber. He was later the Literary Editor of The Observer. He has written six novels and co-authored a bestselling history of the English language, The Story Of English. His new memoir, Every Third Thought, was BBC Radio 4's Book of the Week in early September.

C.S. Lewis And The BBC - Talks, Drama And Documentaries

Saturday 14 October, 2017: Mount Stewart, County Down

Professor Alister McGrath will be in conversation about. C.S. Lewis and the BBC. He will be reflecting on Lewis' acclaimed wartime BBC broadcasts, which were later published as Mere Christianity, and the effect which these and other radio talks had on his career. Our conversation will explore the continuing appeal of C.S. Lewis' writing, the influences which shaped his beliefs and how his life and work have been depicted in BBC dramas and documentaries. We will also take the opportunity to chat with Professor McGrath about his work as an internationally acclaimed writer and theologian, including his most recent book, The Great Mystery.

Professor Alister McGrath is Andreas Ideros Professor of Science and Religion at Oxford University, and Fellow of Harris Manchester College, Oxford. He has written numerous academic and theological works, including a biography of C.S. Lewis.

Stories And People From The Ancient World - Classical Connections

Saturday 14 October, 2017: Mount Stewart, County Down

Professor Edith Hall and Geraldine McCaughrean will be in conversation about... stories and ideas from the ancient world and their enduring influence and appeal. Our guests will be discussing the ways in which Classical themes have resonated down the centuries, and how Greek and Roman myths have been re-imagined for new generations - including books for children. We'll also spend some time chatting about Homer's Odyssey (prompted by the fact that Lady Londonderry was also known as Circe) and how this epic tale of adventure and curiosity has inspired countless books, poems and BBC programmes.

Professor Edith Hall is a celebrated author and broadcaster and one of the UK's foremost classicists. Her most recent book, Introducing the Ancient Greeks, has been described as "masterly" and "terrifically good". Geraldine McCaughrean is a popular and critically acclaimed children's author. She is a prolific storyteller and is well-known for her adaptations of Classical stories.

Books, Healing And Heartache - Life Stories

Saturday 14 October, 2017: Mount Stewart, County Down

Cathy Rentzenbrink will be in conversation about... grief, loss and recovery. She will be talking about the effect which the death of her younger brother had on her life and family, and some of the stories and themes which feature in her most recent book, A Manual for Heartache. Our conversation will also explore the business of book writing and journalism and the benefits of reading - something that Cathy describes as her "lifelong friend".

Cathy Rentzenbrink is a writer and journalist. She is the author of two, best-selling memoirs and is a passionate advocate of books, reading and literacy. A Manual For Heartache is Stephen Nolan's Book Club choice for October 2017, in association with Libraries NI.

This event will now also feature Glasgow-based novelist Gail Honeyman, whose critically-acclaimed debut novel about loneliness Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine is to be adapted by Reese Witherspoon’s production company Hello Sunshine.

Journalism, Politics And Fake News - New Perspectives

Saturday 14 October, 2017: Mount Stewart, County Down

John Lloyd will be in conversation about... the many different issues facing journalists and journalism at home and around the world. He will be reflecting on the role and development of journalism, its relationship with politics and the impact of new technologies. Our conversation will also explore the phenomenon of "alternative facts" with contributions from the well-known philosopher, Julian Baginni, drawing on his new book, A Short History Of Truth. He will be explaining why he thinks truth-seekers need to be “sceptical not cynical… provisional not dogmatic, open not empty”.

John Lloyd is a Contributing Editor at The Financial Times. He is an award-winning writer and a regular commentator on current affairs. His most recent book, The Power And The Story, examines the technological, political and market transformations affecting journalism across the world. Julian Baginni is a philosopher who has written several books on philosophy for a general audience. He also writes regularly for newspapers and magazines.

Talking About Trees - Celebration And Wonder

Sunday 15 October, 2017: Mount Stewart, County Down

Professor Fiona Stafford will be in conversation about... how trees have featured in literature, popular culture and mythology. She will be chatting about her favourite trees, why they matter and the making of her acclaimed series about trees for BBC Radio 3, which is now a best-selling book. We will also be taking the opportunity to explore Fiona's interests as a Professor of English at the University of Oxford, including Irish and Scottish literature. Our conversation will be illustrated by BBC programme clips.

Professor Fiona Stafford is Professor of English Language and Literature and Fellow of Somerville College. She wrote and presented The Meaning Of Trees for BBC Radio 3. Her most recent book, The Long, Long Life Of Trees, explores the diversity and importance of trees found commonly in Britain and Ireland and blends folklore, literature and science. Her latest book is Jane Austen: A Brief Life.

Standing Up For The Classics - Ancient History And Modern Life

Sunday 15 October, 2017: Mount Stewart, County Down

Natalie Haynes will be in conversation about... the ancient world and its enduring relevance and appeal. She will be discussing how the Classics have influenced many different aspects of everyday life, from how "screenwriters learn from Sophocles, politicians echo Cicero and doctors take the Hippocratic oath." Our conversation will also explore Natalie's career as a writer, broadcaster and former stand-up comedian and her popular BBC Radio 4 series, Natalie Haynes Stands Up For The Classics. And as Book Week comes to its close on BBC Northern Ireland, we will hear about Natalie's re-imagining of the Oedipus and Antigone stories in her new book, The Children of Jocasta.

Natalie Haynes is a writer and broadcaster. She has written several books, including The Ancient Guide To Modern Life. She was awarded the Classical Association Prize in 2015 for her work in bringing Classics to a wider audience.

Comedy Rules - Politics, Satire, Movies And Writing

Sunday 15 October, 2017: Mount Stewart, County Down

Jonathan Lynn will be in conversation about... political satire and his varied career as a director, producer, author and novelist. He will be chatting about his award-winning BBC comedy series, Yes Minister/Yes Prime Minister (which he co-wrote with Anthony Jay), and his subsequent career in Hollywood. We will also be exploring Jonathan's reflections on the business of making people laugh, drawing on his book, Comedy Rules. And we'll bring talk about his career up to date with a discussion about the inspiration behind his new novel, Samaritans.

Jonathan Lynn is a critically acclaimed writer and film director. His film credits include My Cousin Vinny and numerous other box-office successes. His name is synonymous with the Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister series which he co-wrote with Anthony Jay for BBC television.

Journeys, Buildings And Books - An Architectural Odyssey

Sunday 15 October, 2017: Mount Stewart, County Down

Dan Cruickshank will be in conversation about... some of his favourite buildings at home and around the world. He will be chatting about the insights that buildings can provide into different cultures and periods of history and why this heritage matters. Our conversation will also feature highlights from Dan's many (and hugely popular) series for BBC television and his reflections on programme-making, book writing and popular history. We'll also have the chance to hear about his latest project for BBC Northern Ireland television.

Dan Cruickshank has presented numerous programmes for BBC network television - several of which have also become best-selling books, including Around The World Un 80 Treasures. His most recent book is Spitalfields: The History Of A Nation In A Handful Of Streets.

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