'From North Pole to South Pole and Places in Between' is the title of iconic television presenter Charlie Bird's talk at this year's festival. Having trekked in the footsteps of notable explorers such as Tom Crean, Charlie is sure to have some lively stories with which to entertain.

Author, journalist and criminologist, Paul Williams, brings his own unique insights on life to the Pattern Festival this year. Having written the acclaimed bestseller 'The General' amongst many other works, his talk is sure to be interesting and thought-provoking.

Mary Costello grew up in Galway and now lives in Dublin. Her collection of stories, The China Factory, was nominated for the 2012 Guardian First Book Award, and shortlisted for the Irish Books Awards. Her first novel, Academy Street, won the Eason’s Novel of the Year Award and was named overall Irish Book of the Year 2014. It was shortlisted for the 2014 Costa First Novel Prize, and featured on BBC Radio 4’s Book at Bedtime.

Daughter of champion jockey Lester Piggott and former jockey herself, Tracy is best known in recent times for her RTÉ horse racing commentary. In 2013 she took part in Celebrity MasterChef and has openly shared her battles with depression.

Paul Kimmage was born in Dublin in 1962. A talented cyclist, Paul was a double National Road Race Champion and represented Ireland at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. A year later, he finished sixth in the World Road Race Championships in Italy and in 1986 he turned professional and completed his first Tour de France. In 1990, after four years as a professional he became a journalist. A former ‘Sportswriter of the Year’ in Ireland, he was short-listed five…

‘Tosh, Amazing True Story of Life, Death, Danger and Drama’ is the recently released book detailing Tosh’s thirty years in the Garda Sub-Aqua Unit. Revealing his own personal struggles in this autobiography, Tosh also gives a glimpse into the inside world of the Guards.

Aged 27, Sunny was tried, convicted and sentenced to death for a murder she didn't commit. Separated from her two children, nine years old and ten months old, she was put in solitary confinement, being the only woman sentenced to death at that time. Sunny's memoir, "Stolen Time", was published on 1 May 2007.

Miriam O'Callaghan was born and raised in Dublin. She qualified as a solicitor before beginning her broadcasting career on ITV's This is your Life. Her career has spanned almost three decades...Join Miriam for an insight into her life in our 'An Audience with...' series of events in the beautiful setting of St. Paul's Church.