Banter at Come Home For Your Tea (061, Oct 2013)

A few months ago on the hottest day of the year,Ā BanterĀ took up situ on the back of a truck in a Cork town square for a day of primetime yakking and premier league music during theĀ Kinsale Arts Festival. We were happy, the participants were happy, the audience were happy and the festival were happy so weā€™ve decided to do it again, albeit not in the town square on the back of a truck.

Come Home For Your TeaĀ is a two-day event happening on Saturday and Sunday October 12 and 13 in Kinsale featuring a bunch of Banter talks (incuding a day out in theĀ Charles Fort, the spectacular William Robinson-designed late 17th century military installation), Kinsaleā€™s 37th Gourmet Festival and open-days in the townā€™s many galleries. Hereā€™s the Banter agenda for the weekend:

Whatā€™s On Your Plate?Ā (Saturday,Ā Black Pig Wine Bar & Cafe, 2pm)

From celebrity cheffing and annual cookbooks to restaurant hype and bluster, the simple act of eating well has become embued with all manner of connotations and associations. But in a time when many families struggle to feed themselves and food poverty is a real issue, is it time for a back to basics movement? WithĀ Darina AllenĀ (Ballymaloe Cookery School),Ā Caroline HennessyĀ (Bibliocook) andĀ Gerry GodleyĀ (Hot Potatoes)

#Next- What Comes After Social Media?Ā (Saturday,Ā The Folk House, 3.30pm)

Facebook and Twitter have been in the dock all year long and as weā€™ve seen with every technological innovation from MySpace to Bebo, nothing lasts forever. What comes after social media? What will replace our constant tweeting and updates? What will Web 4.0 look like? WithĀ Damien MulleyĀ (Mulley Communications) andĀ Una MullallyĀ (Irish Times)

A Special RelationshipĀ (Saturday,Ā The Tap Tavern, 5pm)

A discussion on the how and why of us and them and the relationship between this little island and the big island to the right of us withĀ Patrick GuinnessĀ (historian and author) andĀ ManchĆ”n MaganĀ (writer and documentary-maker)

Other VoicesĀ (Sunday, Charles Fort, noon)

A conversation with broadcasterĀ Philip King, the Dingle-based Corkman about the art and the business of putting music on screen from the most westerly and wildest point in Europe.

FĆ”ilte ā€“ the Irish hospitality industryĀ (Sunday, Charles Fort, 1.30pm)

If we as a nation want to put our best face out and are promoting The Gathering as a come-home-to-Ireland initiative, how do we make sure our hospitality industry also comes up to the mark? A discussion featuringĀ Tim MageeĀ (Host & Company PR) andĀ Ciaran FitzgeraldĀ (owner of theĀ Blue Haven Collection)

Colm Mac Con IomaireĀ (Sunday, Charles Fort, 3pm)

A member of The Frames since day one and the violinist with The Swell Season touring band,Ā ColmĀ will be talking about his life in music. He will also be playing some tunes for us so expect to hear some magic from his debut solo album ā€œThe Hareā€™s Cornerā€.

Admission to all Banter events is free of charge.