New Play 'The Quare Land' to get World Premiere during Galway Arts Festival

John McManus

The Quare Land, a new play by Cavan playwright John McManus will receive its world premiere in Galway this July as part of the Galway Arts Festival. A thrillingly sharp two hander comedy, McManus’ wit and incisive humour is sure to be a big draw for theatre goers this summer.

Decadent Theatre Company are producing the play in association with the Galway Arts Centre who came across the script last October when it featured as a new play reading in the Galway Theatre Festival. Impressed by McManus’ raw talent and energy, the joint producers picked up the script and endeavoured to bring the show to life in the spot light of a widely acclaimed summer time festival.

Previous produced writing by McManus includes two radio plays: No Hate Going to Loss, and Will you Swap Knees With Me?, which were broadcast on RTE. His stage play A Lock of Fierce Roars received a rehearsed reading by Druid Theatre Company in July 2008. The Quare Land will be his first play to receive a professional production and tour.

Set in a house in Cavan The Quare Land centres on the character Hugh Pugh (Des Keogh), who is about to take his first bath in four years. His bathing is disturbed by Rob McNulty (Frank O’Sullivan), a developer wanting to buy a field. Hugh conducts negotiations from his bathtub and is reluctant to sell while McNulty pulls out all the stops to complete the sale. The quick fire banter between the two characters escalates into an epic finale as both try to reason each other into submission.

The show opens Monday 12th July and will run until Saturday 24th July nightly at 8pm in Nuns Island Theatre. Matinees-Saturday 17th and Saturday 24th at 3:30pm.
Tickets available from Galway Arts Festival Box Office priced at €22/€20 concession
Preview Tickets are half price: €10
Tel: 091 566577 Book online: http://www.galwayartsfestival.com/

"The Inishbofin Jaunt" Poetry Weekend

Write, read and hear poetry on Inishbofin on the August Bank Holiday weekend. In this weekend course, acclaimed poets and tutors Yvonne Cullen and Sean Lysaght will lead classes for beginners and also for those wishing to strengthen their skills and poetic voices. Outdoor and landscape-based sessions and Readings will accompany these classes, and good time will be left also for swims, walks, tracking the corncrake and enjoying Bofin's unique character and peace.

Fee for the weekend is 230 euro. There are four half fee places at 115 euro and one free place, all available for Bofin residents. To apply for these or other places on the course or for more information please email yvonnesworkshops@gmail.com Please note that course fee does not include accomodation or board. Course programme includes accomodation listings ranging from hostel to hotel, and listings are also available on the inishbofin development company's website. if interested in attending the weekend, we would advise you to research accomodation options IMMEDIATELY, and to contact us to book immediatley as well! We expect a wonderful weekend, and are especially excited at the idea of local involvement in it.

About the tutors:
Yvonne and Sean are both regular Bofin visitors and both have also performed their own work on Bofi in recent times. Both are lovers of Bofin who will be delighted to make this a weekend where poetry and love of place and the stories of place, both personal and communal, come together.

Course organiser and facilitator Yvonne has been leading writing workshops for 18 years. She was described in the Irish Times recently as " That rare thing, a writer who writes beautifully and can pass on the skill." Sean's poetry, it has been said, "brings us not just to the natural world, but also to the environment of the imagination, the environment of language, the environment of literature and of the world's store of legend and tale."

FRIDAY JULY 2nd Charlie Byrne's Bookshop Hosts Galway Launch of 'Identity Parade: New British & Irish Poets', Edited by Roddy Lumsden, Published by Bloodaxe Books

Over The Edge in association with Bloodaxe Books presents the Galway launch of the generation definining poetry anthology Identity Parade: New British & Irish Poets. The launch will take place in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop, Middle Street, Galway on Friday, July 2nd from 6pm.

There will be readings by six of the contributing poets, Julia Bird, Judy Brown, Sarah Corbett, Sasha Dugdale, Kevin Higgins & Mark Waldron with introductions by the editor Roddy Lumsden. All are welcome to attend.

Identity Parade presents new British and Irish poetry at a time of great vibrancy and variety. It is the first anthology to comprehensively represent the generation of poets who have emerged since the mid-1990s. Eclectic, diverse and wide-ranging in scope, the book fully reflects the climate of “the pluralist now”. It offers the work of 85 highly individual and distinctive talents whose poems display the breadth of styles and approaches characteristic of our current poetry.

These writers are prospering all over Britain and Ireland – from Shetland to Aberystwyth, from Gravesend to Galway – as well as further afield. Many new and undersung poets appear alongside this generation’s most celebrated names, and probably for the first time in any major poetry anthology, more women writers than men are featured. All the poets have either published first collections within the past 15 years or make their debut within the next year.

Identity Parade is as accessible to the new reader as to the aficionado, with each poet introduced by a biographical note also covering their themes and concerns. This is the essential starting place for anyone interested in the poetry of here and now.

Over The Edge acknowledges the ongoing generous financial support of Galway City Council and The Arts Council

For more about Identity Parade see http://www.bloodaxebooks.com/titlepage.asp?isbn=1852248394

'O, commemorate me..' Kavanagh Day Recitation and Readings

The annual ‘Kavanagh Day’ of reciting and readings was inaugurated in Galway in 2008 to mark the national day in honour of Patrick Kavanagh’s writings. This event happens on the second weekend in July where Kavanagh enthusiasts gather – ideally by a waterway location, to celebrate the writers poetry and prose.


The day is again being coordinated this year by Kavanagh enthusiast, Ger Considine and it is hoped to expand and invite speakers and musicians. The dates are
- Sat. 10th July at the Galway City Library , lunchtime timeslot
- Sun. 11th July at the Born Quarter, Newtownsmith, 3pm timeslot


The event will be introduced by organiser, Ger Considine and consist of a brief talk on the Poet’s life and times by one / two well known speakers. A selection of his poems will be recited accompanied by traditional Irish tunes. A traditional singer will provide a Kavanagh-related song or two. Attendees will be invited to read some of their favourite Kavanagh poems. Active Retired, Writers, Readers groups and general Kavanagh enthusiasts are encouraged to come along and get involved in both these free events. The duration of the event is envisaged as one and half to two hours.


For more information please contact
Ger Considine
(086)8736837
ger@gerconsidine.com
http://www.gerconsidine.com

June Writers' Gathering at Sheridan's Wine Bar: Denise Blake, Quincy Lehr, Aidan Hynes & Ger Burke

Denise Blake

Over The Edge presents readings by poets, Denise Blake & Quincy Lehr and fiction writers, Aidan Hynes & Ger Burke at Sheridan’s Wine Bar, 14-16 Church Yard Street, Galway on Friday, June 18th, 8pm.

Denise Blake was born in Ohio in 1958. Her family returned to Ireland in 1969 where she grew up in Co. Donegal. Her second collection of poems, How to spin without getting dizzy is just published by Summer Palace Press. She is a regular contributor to Sunday Miscellany on RTE Radio One and her work is included in four Sunday Miscellany anthologies. She received an MA in poetry from Lancaster University / Poets’ House. Recently her poetry was included in the anthology, Landing Places, Immigrant Poets in Ireland.

Quincy Lehr’s first collection of poems, Across the Grid of Streets, was described by Fiona Sampson in the Irish Times as showing “much energy and narrative talent.” Lehr’s poetry and criticism have appeared in numerous journals in the U.S., UK, Ireland, Australia, and the Czech Republic, and he is the associate editor of the Raintown Review. He curates the long-running Carmine Street Metrics reading in New York with Wendy Sloan, and he co-founded Modern Metrics Press with R. Nemo Hill in 2006. He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

A native of Co. Mayo, Aidan Hynes is a teacher and writer based in Dublin. In the 1990s, Aidan was a founder member of American New Irish Artists and Emigrants Network. He has published short fiction in various magazines, newspapers and journals, including the short story anthology Ireland In Exile, The Irish Times and The Irish Echo (New York). He has read his work at venues in the US, Spain and Ireland, including Galway City Library as a Featured Over The Edge Reader in 2007. His short fiction has been a runner up in the George Moore Gold Medal Award (2004) and Over The Edge New Writer Of The Year (2007). In 2008 he was awarded a full Arts Literature Bursary from Dublin City Council for a work of fiction he has recently completed.

Ger Burke spent the years of early childhood on a farm in Co Galway. Having lived in London and later Boston, Ger returned to live in Co Mayo. Her just published novel My Father's Lands was started in Holyoke College, Massachusetts and finished on the shores of Galway Bay. A former teacher of English and History Ger has had many literary successes, both in print and radio, since becoming a full-time writer. She is a member of the editorial board of Crannóg magazine and was a Featured Reader at an Over The Edge: Open Reading in Galway City Library back in 2004. My Father's Lands is her first novel.

There is no entrance fee. All welcome. For further information contact 087-6431748.

Over The Edge acknowledges the ongoing generous financial support of the Arts Council and Galway City Council.

North Beach Publications & Doire Press announce the launch of 'It's History' by Brendan Murphy

Brendan Murphy

Brendan Murphy is a writer and performance poet. He won the 2006 Cúirt Grand Slam, the 2007 All Ireland Grand Slam, the 2007 BBC Radio 4 North of England Poetry Slam and the 2009 North Beach Poetry Nights' Grand Slam. He has performed his poetry in Ireland, the UK, Europe and the USA.

North Beach Publications and Doire Press are happy to announce the launch of Brendan's winning collection It's History in Galway Museum at 1pm on Saturday 19th June.

Miceál Kearney, fellow-poet and Grand Slam winner will launch Brendan's debut collection.All are welcome. For further details 091-593290

It's History is published with the support of Galway City Council and Over The Edge.

Salmon Poetry Launches Chopping Wood with T.S. Eliot by John Walsh

Salmon Poetry invites you to celebrate the publication of a new collection of poetry

Chopping Wood with T.S. Eliot

Poems by JOHN WALSH

Launch Introduction by Michael Gorman

Venue: The City Museum, Spanish Arch,Galway
Date/Time: Saturday 29th May, 1pm

Visit the Salmon Poetry website for further details
http://www.salmonpoetry.com/details.php?ID=197&a=181

Poetry & Music from Kansas at June North Beach Poetry Nights

North Beach Poetry Nights welcomes Dan Hornsby as Guest Poet on Monday 7th June at 9pm. in The Crane Bar, Sea Road, Galway.

Dan Hornsby lives in Kansas, where he studies writing and literature. He works with closely with the organization Shelf Help, which restocks inner-city grade school libraries in Kansas City. His folk band, The Low End, will be touring through the Midwestern United States this summer. He is currently working on a collection of poems and short stories.

Poets wishing to take part in the slam should bring along 2 x 3 minute poems. The winner goes through to the North Beach Grand Slam in December. The prize for the first 3 winners of the December Grand Slam is joint-publication in a poetry chapbook.

Door: 5/3 Euro

Info: John@091-593290

North Beach Poetry Nights gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Galway City Council.

Breton poet Patrick Argenté to read at final Over The Edge: Open Reading before the summer break

Patrick Argenté

Over The Edge in association with the Galway-Lorient Twinning Committee presents the May Over The Edge: Open Reading which takes place in Galway City Library, St.Augustine Street, Galway on Thursday, May 27th, 6.30-8pm. The Featured Readers are David Mohan, Michael Maye & Patrick Argenté.

David Mohan is based in Dublin and writes poetry and short stories. He has been published in The Sunday Tribune, The Stony Thursday Book, Southword, and the anthology Night and Day. He won the Hennessy/ Sunday Tribune Poetry Award, as well as the 2008 overall New Irish Writer Award. He is the winner of the 2009 Over The Edge New Writer of the Year competition.

Michael Maye is a native of Tralee, Co. Kerry. He has lived in Galway for the past 32 years, where he worked in public relations with Udarás na Gaeltachta. He retired in1991. He writes with the Salthill Active Retired Association’s (SARA) Writers’ Group, guided by the group’s tutor Kevin Higgins. Stories by Michael appeared in two books published jointly by SARA group and the Knocknacarra Writers’ group. He has read his work a number of times at the Over The Edge open-mic and delighted audiences with the dark, Surrealist wit in his tales of small town Ireland past and present.

Patrick Argenté was born in Dinan (Brittany) in 1945. He studied literature and became a teacher, then a social worker and a further education counsellor. Today he is retired in Lorient and he dedicates part of his time to writing. He has published four collections of poems: Voisinage du vent (La Part Commune 2005), Les jours lâchent leurs porcelaines (La Part Commune 2006), Oeil effaré plume et les dents (Manoirante 2009) & Ernestine ou Julie (Manoirante 2010).

There will be an open-mic when the Featured Readers have finished. This is open to anyone who has a poem or story to share. New readers are always especially welcome. The MC for the evening will be Susan Millar DuMars. For further details phone 087-6431748.

Over The Edge acknowledges the ongoing generous financial support of Galway City Council and The Arts Council and the support of the Galway-Lorient Town Twinning Committee.

Wordsonthestreet launches Ger Burke's novel 'My Father's Lands'

Wordsonthestreet Publishers

would like to invite

You

to the

Launch Party

To Celebrate the Publication of

Ger Burke's

novel

My Father's Lands

Friday 28th May at 7.00 pm in

The Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill

Launch speaker: Des Kenny

email: publisher@wordsonthestreet.com

Over The Edge Welcomes Galway-Lorient Poetry Exchange

This month Over the Edge is taking the novel step of organising a reading in Galway’s twin city of Lorient in Brittany, France. The reading will feature poetry by Galway writers Mary Madec and John Walsh as well as Over the Edge organisers Kevin Higgins and Susan Millar DuMars. The Lorient event will also include a bilingual open mic session open to all Lorient poets. Mary Madec recently had a hugely successful launch at the Town Hall Theatre of her debut poetry collection, In Other Words, which is published by Salmon Poetry. John Walsh is the organiser of North Beach Poetry Nights and his new collection of poetry, Chopping Wood with T.S. Eliot, is published very soon by Salmon Poetry.

Later in the month, the May Over the Edge: Open Reading in Galway City Library will feature Lorient poet Patrick Argenté. Monsieur Argenté is a retired teacher and social worker who lives in Lorient, Brittany and is the author of four poetry collections. The most recent of these, Ernestine ou Julie, was published in 2010 by Manoirante. Monsieur Argenté’s bilingual reading is in honor of the 35th anniversary of the twinning of Galway City with Lorient.

“We’re proud to work with the Galway-Lorient twinning committee, and hope these two events are the beginning of a tradition of literary exchange between our two cities,” commented Susan Millar DuMars, co-organiser of Over The Edge.

Poetry Extravaganza @ Sheridan's Wine Bar with Chris Agee, Louis de Paor, Chris Nikkel & Kevin O'Shea

Over The Edge presents readings by poets, Chris Agee, Louis de Paor, Chris Nikkel & Kevin O’Shea at Sheridan’s Wine Bar, 14-16 Church Yard Street, Galway on Friday, May 7th, 8pm.

Chris Agee was born in 1956 in San Francisco and grew up in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island but since 1979 has lived in Ireland. He is the author of three books of poems, In the New Hampshire Woods (Dedalus Press, 1992), First Light (The Dedalus Press, 2003) and Next to Nothing (Salt, 2009), as well as the editor of Scar on the Stone: Contemporary Poetry from Bosnia (Bloodaxe, 1998, Poetry Society Recommendation). He is currently completing a collection of essays, Journey to Bosnia. He reviews regularly for The Irish Times and is the Editor of Irish Pages, a journal of contemporary writing. Next to Nothing was shortlisted for the first Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry, funded by the Poet Laureate and organized by the Poetry Society in London.

Born in Cork in 1961, Louis de Paor has been involved with the contemporary renaissance of poetry in Irish since 1980 when he was first published in the poetry journal Innti which he subsequently edited for a time. A four times winner of the Seán Ó Ríordáin/Oireachtas Award, the premier award for a new collection of poems in Irish, he lived in Australia from 1987 to 1996. He is the recipient of the Lawrence O’Shaughnessy Award 2000, the first poet in Irish to achieve that distinction. His bilingual volume agus rud eile de/and another thing was published recently by Cló Iar-Chonnacht.

Chris Nikkel was born in Canada, and grew up in Winnipeg. In 2003 he moved to Ireland to be with his wife, and currently lives in Fahan, Co. Donegal. A poet and non-fiction writer, his work has been published in Canada, Ireland and the UK, for magazines such as Fortnight, Prairie Fire, Canada's History, and most recently the anthology Landing Places: Immigrant Poets in Ireland. He is currently completing his first book, a creative non-fiction story set in the boreal forest in Canada. Chris holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia, and a BA from the University of Winnipeg. He works for Five Door Films as documentary screenwriter and researcher.

Kevin O’Shea lives in Moycullen within earshot of the old Galway-Clifden Railway line. He recently retreated from the world of technology to consult the imagination and the garden. He is a survivor, reasonably intact, of multiple Creative Writing Classes with Susan Millar DuMars and Kevin Higgins. In 2009 he was selected to participate in the Cúirt poetry masterclass with Jane Hirshfield and greatly enjoyed the experience. He was shortlisted in the 2009 Over The Edge New Writer of The Year competition and for the 2010 Cúirt Festival Over The Edge Showcase reading. Kevin is currently a participant in the Advanced poetry workshop at Galway Arts Centre.

There is no entrance fee. All welcome. For further information contact 087-6431748

Over The Edge acknowledges the ongoing generous financial support of the Arts Council and Galway City Council.

Choice of three Poetry Workshops with Kevin Higgins at Galway Arts Centre starting in May

This May Galway Arts Centre is offering aspiring poets a choice of three poetry workshops, all facilitated by poet Kevin Higgins. Kevin has published three collections of poems The Boy With No Face (2005), Time Gentlemen, Please (2008) and Frightening New Furniture (2010) all published by Salmon Poetry. His work also features in Identity Parade – New British and Irish Poets (Ed Roddy Lumsden, Bloodaxe 2010). He is an experienced workshop facilitator and several of his students have gone on to achieve publication success or win major prizes for their poetry. He is also co-organiser of the Over The Edge reading series which specifically promotes new writers.

Each workshop will run for eight weeks, commencing the week of May 17th.They will take place on Tuesday evenings, 7-8.30pm; Wednesday afternoons, 2-3.30pm and on Thursday afternoons, 2-3.30pm.

The Tuesday evening and Wednesday afternoon workshops are open to both complete beginners as well as those who’ve been writing for some time. The Thursday afternoon workshop is an Advanced Poetry Workshop, suitable for those who’ve participated in poetry workshops before or had poems published in magazines. The cost to participants is €90, with an €80 concession rate.

Places must be paid for in advance. To reserve a place contact Victoria at reception at Galway Arts Centre, 47 Dominick Street, phone 091 565886 or email victoria@galwayartscentre.ie

Daytime Creative Writing with Susan Millar DuMars at Galway Arts Centre starting in May

This May Galway Arts Centre presents a daytime class for all those beginner and continuing creative writing students out there, both facilitated by Susan Millar DuMars. Susan Millar DuMars writes both poetry and fiction. A collection of her stories, American Girls, was published by Lapwing Press in 2007; she has published two collection of poetry, Big Pink Umbrella (2008) and Dreams For Breakfast both with Salmon Poetry. She is also co-organiser of the Over The Edge reading series which specifically promotes new writers.

The class is suitable for both beginning and continuing creative writing students, working in either poetry or fiction. Students will spend their week responding to writing exercises designed to inspire, rather than inhibit. In class, they will receive gentle feedback on their work from their classmates and from the teacher. The class takes place on Monday afternoons, 2-3.30pm, commencing on Monday May 24th.

The cost to participants is 90 Euro with an 80 Euro concession price. Booking is essential as places are limited. For booking please contact Galway Arts Centre, 47 Dominick Street, phone 091 565886 or email victoria@galwayartscentre.ie

Salmon Poetry Launches Debut Poetry Collection by Mary Madec @ The Town Hall Theatre

ON SATURDAY, MAY 8th at 1pm at the Town Hall Theatre, Galway Kevin Higgins will launch Mary Madec’s debut collection of poetry, In Other Words, published by Salmon Poetry.

For more about the book see http://www.salmonpoetry.com/details.php?ID=190&a=176

ALL WELCOME

Salmon Poetry presents Galway launch of debut poetry collections by Aideen Henry & Mary Mullen & memoir by Knute Skinner

Salmon Poetry invites you to celebrate the publication of three new titles:

Hands Moving at the Speed of Falling Snow

poems by AIDEEN HENRY

launch introduction by Prof. Adrian Frazier (NUI, Galway),

Zephyr

poems by MARY MULLEN

launch introduction by Gerard Hanberry

& Help Me to a Getaway

a memoir by KNUTE SKINNER

launch introduction by Prof. Brian Arkins(NUI, Galway).

VENUE: The City Museum, Spanish Arch, Galway

DATE/TIME: Saturday 15th May, 1pm

Visit the Salmon Poetry website for further details:

http://www.salmonpoetry.com/

Gerry Galvin Poetry Collection Launched By Michael D. Higgins

North Beach Poetry Nights welcomes Michèle Coghlan as Guest Poet on Monday 10th May at 9pm. in The Crane Bar, Sea Road, Galway.

Michèle Coghlan is originally from Kerry, but lived in Germany for over twenty years before settling in Galway in 2003. She works as a translator. She has participated in various Creative Writing workshops at Galway Arts Centre and GTI in the past 4 years and says she has grown quite passionate about writing. She takes pleasure in triggering a bit of laughter in the audience. She particularly likes slam poetry and took 3rd place at the 2008 and 2009 North Beach Poetry Nights' Grand Slam.

Poets wishing to take part in the slam should bring along 2 max. 3 minute poems. The winner goes through to the North Beach Grand Slam in December. The prize for the first 3 winners of the December Grand Slam is
joint-publication in a poetry chapbook.

Door: 5/3 Euro

Info: John@091-593290

North Beach Poetry Nights gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Galway City Council.

Poems and Pints in Kiltimagh

The Pen & Ink Writers’ Group hosts an evening of Poems and Pints on Thursday 6th May 2010 at 8.30 p.m. in Kitty McGreal’s Pub, Thomas Street, Kiltimagh.

Everyone welcome - open mic session for poets, storytellers, songsters and musicians.

Featuring Terry McDonagh reading from his new poetry collection and actor Stephen Doyle performing monologues.                    

WALK AND WORKSHOP presents Maighread Medbh, Mags Treanor, Susan Millar DuMars, Elaine Feeney & Mary Mullen

Walk and Workshop

Presents,

Poets Maighread Medbh, Mags Treanor, Susan Millar DuMars, Elaine Feeney &  Mary Mullen.  June 5th, 1PM in a field on a farm above a turlough. Event not weather permitting. Email for details and directions: walkandworkshop@yahoo.ie

'Loose Lips' this Wednesday

This brings Loose Lips into its third month, and so far it has proved to be a popular event for both story tellers and listeners. The combination of stories from the hilarious to the heartbreaking, along with a receptive and encouraging audience has given the evening an intimate feel, where there is something for everyone.

Most people come along to listen, but as the evening progresses some people find themselves putting their name in the hat and getting up to tell their own tale. So if you have a story that is in any way related to meetings: how you met someone, chance meetings, work related meetings, etc… then come along on the night and you will have five minutes stage time to tell that story. The story has to be true and unscripted. And if you don’t have a story, just come along and listen.

Loose Lips is not a competition, nor is it an attempt to look for polished stories or upcoming talent; it is purely a night out where stories are shared and enjoyed. Given the popularity of this event and the fact that it is a small and intimate venue, advance booking is highly recommended.

If you wish to participate you can register on the night, when ten names will be pulled from a hat to decide who gets to tell their story.

Theme for this month’s Loose Lips event is Meetings.

Venue: Roisin Dubh

Cover charge: 5 euro

Time: 9pm start, registration from 8:30pm

For more information call Mags Treanor on 087-6500700

2010 Cúirt Over The Edge Showcase reading with Cristina Galvin, Tom Lavelle, Geraldine Mitchell, Marcella Morgan & Áine Tierney

Cúirt International Festival of Literature

THURSDAY, APRIL 22nd, 3PM @ The Town Hall Theatre, Galway 

 

Cristina Galvin was a Featured Reader at the May 2009 Over The Edge: Open Reading.

http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com/2009/05/may-over-edge-open-reading-with-enda.html

Cristina Galvin has an MA in Writing from NUIG and teaches yoga in Galway and surrounding areas. She loves books written from a child’s point of view and playing with this perspective in her own fiction and non-fiction. She was long-listed in the 2008 Over The Edge New Writer of The Year competition. Cristina also writes poetry and her work features in the anthologies Ink For Air and Three Times Daily. 

Read an extract from Cristina's Chutzpah.

Tom Lavelle was a Featured Reader at the August 2007 Over The Edge: Open Reading

http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com/2007/08/popular-over-edge-open-reading-series.html

Tom Lavelle lives in Galway and works for a manufacturing company. He is a participant in the Advance Poetry Workshop at Galway Arts Centre and as part of that group read his work at last year’s Clifden Arts Week. His poems have appeared in Revival, Boyne Berries, The Stony Thursday Book, Crannóg, West 47 online, The Cuirt Annual, ROPES & The Shop. Tom was shortlisted for the Cúirt Over The Edge showcase reading in both 2008 and 2009 and in the Over The Edge New Writer of The Year competition. He is currently working on an M. Phil. in Writing at the University of Glamorgan.

Read Tom's poem CITEOG here.

The 2010 Cúirt Over The Edge showcase reading takes place as part of this year's Cúirt International Festival of Literature at the Town Hall Theatre, Galway on Thursday, April 22nd, 3pm. The writers showcased this year are Cristina Galvin, Tom Lavelle, Geraldine Mitchell, Marcella Morgan & Áine Tierney. The reading will be introduced by regular Over The Edge host, Susan Millar DuMars.

This event has grown since its inception in 2006 to become one of Ireland's premier platforms for showcasing new poets and fiction writers. All participating writers have previously been Featured Readers at Ireland's most successful reading series, the Over The Edge: Open Readings in Galway City Library. http://www.cuirt.ie/
 

Geraldine Mitchell was a Featured Reader at the February 2009 Over The Edge: Open Reading

http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com/2009/02/patrick-kavanagh-award-winner-for.html

Geraldine Mitchell was born in Dublin and lives near Louisburgh, Co. Mayo. In between she has lived in France, Algeria, Spain and England where she taught English and worked as a freelance journalist. Her previous publications include two novels for young people and a biography. She won the Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award in 2008. In their comments the judges, Moya Cannon and Theo Dorgan, said that Geraldine’s poems display: “a clear-eyed sensibility that considers, but does not judge human fragility”.

Read Geraldine's Poem The Suitcase of Bees.

Marcella Morgan was a Featured Reader at the September 2009 Over The Edge: Open Reading

http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com/2009/09/marcella-morgan-shane-o-maoildhia.html

Marcella Morgan is originally from Maynooth, but has been living in Galway for the past year and a half. She spends her days fixin’ troushers in an alterations shop in town, and her nights writing poems about her angry womb. She has attended several writing workshops with Susan Millar DuMars where she learnt how to make a bomb using bread soda, an empty beer can and a thong. Susan also taught her how to spell trousers. Marcella was short-listed for 2009 Over The Edge New Writer of The Year, is a finalist in this year’s Cúirt Festival Poetry Grand Slam and has also been a featured reader at North Beach Poetry Nights.

Read Marcella's A Little Bag of Tasty Clouds here

Áine Tierney was a Featured Reader at the January 2009 Over The Edge: Open Reading

http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com/2009/01/over-edge-celebrates-sixth-birthday.html

Áine Tierney is from Rosmore, Co. Tipperary. She has worked as a secondary school English teacher, but is presently researching for a PhD in Philosophy on the role of Imagination in Education at University College Cork. She has an MA in Writing from the National University of Ireland, Galway. Her writing has appeared in various magazines and newspapers. She had a short story published in the Silverfish anthology, which was funded by South Tipperary County Council’s Per Cent for Art Scheme.

Read Áine's short story Steak.

Over The Edge gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of The Arts Council, Galway City Council and The Cúirt International Festival of Literature.

Cúirt Festival Launch of Poems for Patience and The Cat's Cradle - Galway Universtiy Hospitals Arts Trust

Galway University Hospitals Arts Trust and
Cúirt International Festival of Literature
Warmly invites you to the launch of

Poems for Patience VII
Selected and presented by Paula Meehan
&
Cat’s Cradle V – We are Family
Memoirs and Stories from patients in Unit 5 and Unit 6, Merlin Park University Hospital
Facilitated and edited by Kevin Higgins
On Friday April 23 at 11.00 a.m. at the Art Corridor, University Hospital, Galway.

Please contact the Arts Office for further details or see the Cúirt Programme at http://www.cuirt.ie/

Margaret Flannery
Arts Officer
Galway University Hospitals Arts Trust
Galway University Hospitals
University Hospital
Newcastle Road
Galway

Tel: +353 (0)91 544979
Email: Margaret.Flannery@hse.ie

Over The Edge on TG4's arts programme Imeall

Poet Mary Madec was on TG4's arts programme Imeall on Wednesday, April 7th, talking about the work of Over The Edge.

The programme can be viewed here http://live.tg4.ie/main.aspx?level=imeall&content=68168998913 The item about Over The Edge starts seven minutes into the programme.

Mary Madec was the winner of the Hennessy XO Award for Emerging Poetry in 2008. Her first collection of poetry, In Other Words, with be published by Salmon Poetry very soon. http://www.salmonpoetry.com/details.php?ID=190&a=176

Mary Madec

2010 Cúirt International Festival of Literature

2010 is a remarkably exciting year for Cúirt as it turns twenty five. From its genesis as a festival dedicated to poetry, to the present day, it has always placed the writer and the reader at its core. Among the many names who will visit Galway to celebrate this special anniversary year are Joyce Carol Oates, Roddy Doyle, Ian Rankin, Claire Keegan, Robin Robertson, Richard Bausch, Josh Ritter, Richard Hawley, Tom Kilroy, Joseph O’Connor and Paula Meehan.

This 25th edition of Cúirt will cast a look back at the past with an evocative exhibition of recordings and images from the festival’s rich history. At this year’s festival, Colum McCann will give his first reading in Ireland since his National Book Award win for Let the Great World Spin.

Cúirt’s new associations with The New Yorker and Granta will see several irresistible voices in short fiction and memoir visit Galway to read from, and discuss their work.

In poetry, many renowned international voices will read from their work including Naomi Shihab Nye and Dionne Brand. Irish poets will be present in abundance, as 40 remarkable years of poetry publisher Gallery Press is celebrated with readings by a host of acclaimed Irish poets and playwrights. RTÉ Radio 1 will be present in force at the festival when Sunday Miscellany records a programme from the festival and Drivetime presents a special event at Druid featuring its acclaimed diarists performing some memorable diary pieces.

Alongside readings in poetry and prose, the packed programme features a wide range of launches, exhibitions, readings for younger people and special events in theatre and film, making a visit to Galway an irresistible prospect in late April.

Last year Jane Hirshfield described the festival as ‘a banquet of writing’. There is much to celebrate at this year’s banquet – visit Galway in April and celebrate Cúirt and the written word.

To receive the full programme of events and for further information:

E mail info@cuirt.ie http://www.cuirt.ie/ Tel +353 91 565 886

Booking opens from March 23rd on www.tht.ie Tel 091 569 777

For press enquiries, please contact Gwen O’Sullivan:

E-mail gwencommunications@gmail.com or Tel 087 6601592

Poetry at Kelly's Bar

Venue: Kelly’s Bar, Bridge Street, Galway.
Date: Sunday 25th April 2010
Time: 6.00pm
Tickets: €8

To mark the 25th anniversary of Cúirt International Festival of Literature, An Taibhdhearc are hosting an evening of Poetry, Music and Song, upstairs in Kelly’s Bar on Bridge Street, at 6pm on Sunday the 25th of April. The event is titled ‘Aí - Inspioráid Fileata’ which translates to ‘Poetic Inspiration’.

The impressive list of Poets, who will recite a selection of their own work, include: Micheál D. Higgins, Louis De Paor, Micheál Ó Cuaig, Máire Holmes, Seosamh Ó Guairim, Deirdre Kearney, Mary O’Malley, Neasa De Bhailís and Máire Uí Eidhin.

An Taibhdhearc are delighted to present such a talented group of writers for this poetry evening, most of whom hail from the Connemara area, and some who have made Galway their home.

Music and Song on the evening will be supplied by the fine Connemara Sean-Nós Singer Seosamh Ó Flaithearta, Galway based group ‘Vagus’, along with other special guests. MC on the night will be Mr. Tom Kenny.

Aí will kick off at 6pm on Sunday the 25th, which is the final evening of Cúirt Festival. Tickets for the event are priced at €8 and will be available at the door on the evening in Kelly’s.

For more info, contact An Taibhdhearc by phone at: (091) 562024/563600; or email: eolas@antaibhdhearc.com

Poetry Smackdown Wednesday 14th April in the Róisín Dubh

Poetry Smackdown Wednesday 14th April, 8.35pm onwards in the Róisín Dubh.

Two very different poets: Dave Rock & Miceál Kearney

There will also hopefully be a musician slot but still waiting on confirmation, so come down for the surprise element, and of course the OPEN MIC.

Bring a friend and a poem.

GMIT presents Creative Writing for Beginners with Susan Millar DuMars STARTING APRIL 28th TAKING BOOKINGS NOW

Susan Millar DuMars will give support, instruction and feedback to students who are interested in writing either fiction (short stories, novels) or poetry. The course takes place one evening per week (Wednesday) for 6 weeks from 7–9 p.m. The course commences on Wednesday, April 28th. Advance booking is essential. Places cost €85.00. For further details or to book a place contact GMIT, Dublin Road, Galway. Telephone 091-742145 or see http://www.gmit.ie/lifelong-learning/lifelong-learning-programmes/general-interest/artistic-creative/creative-writing-beginners.html

Susan Millar DuMars was born in Philadelphia in 1966 to a Belfast-born mother. She holds an MA in Writing from the University of San Francisco. Her poems and short stories have been published widely in the US, UK and Ireland. Susan's stories have been short-listed for many awards, and in 2005 she received an Irish Arts Council Bursary for her fiction. American Girls, a volume of her short stories, was published by Lapwing in 2007. Since 2003, Susan and her husband Kevin Higgins have organised the successful Over the Edge reading series, showcasing new writers. Susan teaches creative writing at Galway Technical Institute, Galway Arts Centre, Galway Mayo Institute of Technology and on the Brothers of Charity Away With Words programme. Big Pink Umbrella (Salmon Poetry, 2008) is the first full collection of her poetry. One of her poems has been chosen by editor, Mathew Sweeney, for inclusion in Best of Irish Poetry 2010 (Southword Editions). Several of her poems will feature in Landing Places: Immigrant Poets in Ireland, edited by Eva Bourke (Dedalus Press, March 2010). Her second collection of poems, Dreams for Breakfast, is just published by Salmon Poetry.

Cúirt launch of 'Faceless Monsters' by the Atlantis Collective

The Atlantis Collective launch their second collection of short stories on Friday April 23rd during the Cúirt Literature Festival 2010. Faceless Monsters contains new work from the eight members of the group who have been meeting on a weekly basis in the Galway Arts Centre for the past two years.

Following the group’s debut last year, which Des Kenny described as ‘an important collection’, the launch of Faceless Monsters takes place in bar Massimo on April 23rd at 6pm. Copies of the book will be available on the night and also through the Atlantis Collective website, http://www.atlantiscollective.com/

The Atlantis Collective are Colm Brady, Alan Caden, Dara Ó’ Foghlú, Aideen Henry, Trish Holmes, Paul McMahon, Conor Montague, and Máire T. Robinson. 

For further information: 086-2567306 (Máire)

atlantiscollective@gmail.com

Poet receives first recognition for his fiction

April 6th 2010

The Irish Writers' Exchange is proud to announce
the shortlist for the Dublin Book Project.

The short-listed entries are:
1. A Game of Two Halves - Dave Lordan
2. Cafe Society - Siofra Kavanagh
3. Art and Romance - Steven Callaghan
4. She is not sweet like Mary - Nuala ní Chonchúir

Congrats from Over The Edge to poet Dave Lordan who has received his first recognition for his fiction by being short-listed in this competition. Dave was a Featured Reader at the February 2006 Over The Edge: Open Reading and was shortlisted for the 2007 Cúirt Festival Over The Edge Showcase reading. We wish all of the short-listed writers well.

Marcella Morgan at North Beach Poetry Nights PLUS Poetry Slam

North Beach Poetry Nights welcomes Marcella Morgan as Guest Poet

on Monday 12th April at 9pm. in The Crane Bar, Sea Road, Galway.

Marcella Morgan lives in Galway and has performed at various venues around the city. She won 2nd Prize in the 2009 North Beach Grand Slam. She is reading at the Over The Edge showcase at Cúirt this year, and is in the final for the Cúirt Poetry Slam.

Poets wishing to take part in this April 2010 slam should bring 2 max. 3 minute poems.The April winner goes through to the North Beach Grand Slam in December. The prize for the Grand Slam winner is publication.

Door: 5 / 3 Euro

Info: John Walsh @ 091-593290

North Beach Poetry Nights gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Galway City Council

Launch of 'Three Times Daily' anthology at Cúirt International Festival of Literature

April 21st 2010 sees the launch of Three Times Daily,

a collection of works from a new generation of Irish writers.

Featuring an exciting selection of fiction, non fiction and poetry, Three Times Daily was guest edited by Dr. John Kenny (NUI Galway) and opens with an introduction by acclaimed Irish writer, Gerard Donovan.

The launch will take place as part of the Cúirt International Festival of Literature and everyone is more than welcome to come along for an evening of selected readings, music and refreshments.

Venue: Bar No. 8, The Docks, Galway City
Time: Wednesday, April 21st 2010, 5:30pm - 12am.

The contributors are Aileen Armstrong, Tristan Burke, Erin Buttner, Ryan Dennis, Jonathan Farrar, Niamh Fleming-Farrell, Cristina Galvin, Nicola Griffin, Michael Halloran, Orla Higgins, Alexander Lumans, Jessica Maybury, Jenny McCudden, Maura McElhone and Paige Morgan.

Mike McCormack has described Three Times Daily as 'A terrific anthology laced with edgy wit and imagination. Here are the confident, sparky voices of a new generation of writers.'

An Líne - The Line: A DIARMUID GOGGINS FILM Written by Kevin Lavelle

Kevin Lavelle was the 2007 Over The Edge New Writer of The Year. He has written the script for the short film An Líne - The Line, which has its debut on TG4 on Monday, March 29th @ 10pm. http://www.tg4.ie/bearla/scei/scei.asp?Dt=2010-3-29

An Líne
This is a new short film scheme from new Irish language writing and directing talent, on the theme of family. Written by Kevin Lavelle and directed by Diarmuid Goggins. Set in an alternative reality An Líne finds our central characters, the young couple Joe & Mary, in an Ireland of strict curfews and a dominating state system. Faced with an unexpected pregnacy and a system which grants or refuses a license to be parents, Joe and Mary struggle with a decision which will determine their place in a harsh, uncaring society.

For more see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe1JZi5lADI&feature=youtube_gdata

'Impact' by Jenny McCudden

                                         http://www.collinspress.ie/products.asp?id=30

Impact by Jenny McCudden was the basis for the successful recent TV3 documentary of the same name, presented by Gay Byrne. Jenny was a participant in creative writing classes at Galway Technical Institute, facilitated by Susan Millar DuMars and Kevin Higgins and graduated with an MA in Writing from NUI Galway. She was a Featured Reader at the January 2008 Over The Edge: Open Reading and went on to be selected to take part in the 2009 Cúirt Festival Over The Edge Showcase reading.

For more see http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article7052458.ece

Galway Arts Centre March Poetry Slam

On TUESDAY 30th March 2010 at 7pm Galway Arts Centre will host their last slam of the season before the Cúirt International Festival of Literature Grand Slam on Sat 24th of April.

What’s a Poetry Slam? Its live poetry with attitude: performers have three minutes each to wow the audience with their own original poetic creation. All subjects, styles and struts welcome. Come along and listen to the performers strut their poetic stuff & you may even be picked as one of our audience judges!

The winners of the GAC slams will go straight through to the grand slam.

Resident MC Pete Mullineaux sets the pace and the guest performers are Marcella Morgan and Gary King February’s winners. Admission is free and all are welcome

For further information, please contact Galway Arts Centre, 47 Dominick Street, Galway 091-565886 or info@galwayartscentre.ie

Silence & its dialects: A writing workshop with Robyn Rowland

A writing workshop with Dr Robyn Rowland AO ©

Music is enhanced by its necessary partner, silence. So too, the forms of poetry and of prose need space to breathe. Writing comes out of silence and returns to it, leaving a trace. In living, silence is both the shadow and the light. Meditation and prayer enter silence and carry it. In relationships, silence can be the threat of rejection; represent the loneliness of despair. Is our voice carried into absence? Secret-keeping arises too from silence and families are involved in shrouding truth. Deafness brings silence but what are the differences between this silence and peace? This workshop will discuss the many shapes of silence.

Each participant will be given notes to keep relating to the topic for the workshop, as well as copies of Robyn’s or other poems which exemplify the theme. The workshop involves a talk, followed by a meditative moment, a period of writing towards the topic and feedback for each participant in the group.

Dr. Robyn Rowland AO has published 9 books, six of them poetry. Seasons of doubt & burning. New and Selected will be published in 2010. Silence & its tongues (Five Islands Press, 2006) was runner up for the 2007 ACT Minister’s Judith Wright Poetry Prize. Robyn has won the Catalpa Poetry Prize and overall Writers Prize from the Australian-Irish Heritage Association, and the Jean Stone Poetry Prize. Robyn annually reads/teaches in Ireland at major festivals. She has also read in Portugal, Turkey, Serbia, Greece, the USA and the UK. Her work has been featured regularly on Australian National Radio, particularly on PoeticA and on The Spirit of Things covering her Irish experience of exile and belonging. She has judged a number of poetry competitions. Robyn has published non-fiction, journalism, and research papers as well as poetry.

An Honorary Fellow, School of Culture and Communication, University of Melbourne, Robyn was previously Professor of Social Inquiry at Deakin University, retiring in 1996 after breast cancer and burnout. She recently retired from her honorary position as Deputy Chair of the Board of the Australian Poetry Centre (2007-2008). Some of Robyn’s work, a short bio and photo can be viewed at Other Voices Poetry International, an invitation-only cyber anthology at http://www.othervoicespoetry.org/vol38/rowland/index.html

Venue: Foyles Hotel, Clifden
Date: Easter Monday, April 5th, 5 – 8 pm.
Fee: 20 euros

RSVP: Asap but by April 3rd. Numbers limited and needed for materials.

To: Dr Robyn Rowland 087 924 3814

Please provide email and phone contact details.

One Night, Ten Stories: Loose Lips returns to the Roisin Dubh

Wednesday, March 31st, sees the return of Loose Lips, with Tommy Tiernan and Mags Treanor. The pair launched Galway’s first ever Story Slam last month which saw huge success

Everyone has a story, and Loose Lips offer a stage and a microphone to members of the audience who can tell their story, provided it is true, unscripted and doesn’t take longer than five minutes. Each month’s session is inspired by a different theme, and this month the theme is ‘embarrassment & blunders’. The story slam takes place every last Wednesday of the month, and is limited to ten stories.

Last month saw a full house where an awestruck audience listened to stories related to the theme ‘siblings’. From the tragic story of one woman remembering her sister who was killed in a road accident almost 30 years ago, a young farmer on how, as a child, he and his sister blamed their younger brother for damage that they had caused on the farm, to one man’s story of how not having a sister meant having to invent one, one who gave him some great fashion advice! So whether you want to come along and listen, or tell your story, Wednesday the 31st is a night to put in your diary.

Given the popularity of this event and the fact that it is a small and intimate venue, advance booking is highly recommended.

If you wish to participate you can register on the night, when ten names will be pulled from a hat to decide who gets to tell their story.

Theme for this month’s Loose Lips event is Embarrassment & Blunders.

Venue: Roisin Dubh

Cover charge: 5 euro

Time: 9pm start, registration from 8:30pm

For more information please contact Mags on 087-6500700

Launch of programme for the 2010 Cúirt Festival of International Literature

The programme for this year's Cúirt Festival of International Literature is launched in the Meyrick Hotel, Eyre Square on Tuesday, March 23rd, 6pm.

The Cúirt website is available at http://www.cuirt.ie/

Competition Winner Orla Higgins To Read Winning Story At March Writers’ Gathering At Sheridan’s Wine Bar

Cahal Dallat

Kate Dempsey

Orla Higgins

Over The Edge presents readings by Orla Higgins, Cahal Dallat, Moya Roddy & Kate Dempsey at Sheridan’s Wine Bar, 14-16 Church Yard Street, Galway on Friday, March 12th, 8pm.

Orla Higgins lives in Galway and recently graduated with an MA in Writing from NUIG. She won the Over the Edge New Fiction Writer Competition in 2009 for Thin Blue Line and her work has been published in Ropes and Crannóg. Orla was also a featured reader at the Over The Edge Emerging Writers Showcase at the 2009 Cúirt International Festival of Literature. Her winning story is published here http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com/2010/01/announcing-2010-over-edge-new-writer-of.html#orla

Cahal Dallat, poet, musician and critic, was born in Ballycastle, Co. Antrim in 1953. He studied at Queen’s University Belfast and now lives in London where he reviews for several publications including the Times Literary Supplement and has been a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s Saturday Review since its inception in 1998. He won the Strokestown International Poetry Competition in 2006 and his latest collection is The Year of Not Dancing (Blackstaff Press, 2009).

Moya Roddy, better know perhaps for her fiction and scriptwriting, will read from her poetry on the night.

Kate Dempsey is originally from Coventry and now lives with her family in Maynooth, Co.Kildare where she teaches creative writing to children and adults. Her poetry and fiction have been widely published in Ireland and the UK including in THE SHOp, Poetry Ireland Review, Stony Thursday, Abridged, Orbis, Newleaf and Revival among others. She was selected to read for Poetry Ireland Introductions and Windows Publications Introductions. She has been nominated for, and won many prizes including The Francis MacManus, Cecil Day Lewis and Hennessy awards for Poetry and for Fiction. Kate loves to blur the wobbly boundaries between page and stage, particularly with the Poetry Diva Collective who read at festivals and events countrywide.

There is no entrance fee. All welcome. For further information contact 087-6431748.

Over The Edge acknowledges the ongoing generous financial support of the Arts Council and Galway City Council.

Anne-Maire Fyfe for March North Beach Poetry Nights

North Beach Poetry Nights welcomes from London Anne-Marie Fyfe as Guest Poet next Monday 15th March February at 9pm in The Crane Bar, Sea Road, Galway

Born in Cushendall in the Glens of Antrim, Anne-Marie Fyfe now lives in London where she has organised and hosted the Coffee-House Poetry reading series in London’s famous Troubadour cellar-club for the past 12 years as well as running the annual John Hewitt Spring Festival at Carnlough on the Antrim Coast and organising the poetry and international strands of the John Hewitt Summer School in Armagh. She was Chair of the UK Poetry Society from 2006-2009, has been Writer in Residence for The Poetry Trust at Aldeburgh and her poem "Curaçao Dusk" won 1st prize in Academi Cardiff International Poetry Competition. 'The Ghost Twin', Peterloo Poets, 2005, was her third collection and 'Understudies: New and Selected Poems' is due from Seren Books in September 2010.

Poets wishing to take part in this first 2010 slam should bring 2 max. 3 minute poems.


The winner goes through to the North Beach Grand Slam in December. The prize for the Grand Slam winner is publication.

Door: 5 / 3 Euro.
Info: John Walsh @ 091-593290

North Beach Poetry Nights gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Galway City Council.

Poet and Publisher Jessie Lendennie for March 'Over The Edge: Open Reading'

Jessie Lendennie

The March Over The Edge: Open Reading takes place in Galway City Library, St. Augustine Street, Galway on Thursday, March 25th, 6.30-8pm. The Featured Readers are Jean Kavanagh, Paul Casey & Jessie Lendennie

Jessie Lendennie's prose poem Daughter was first published in 1988, followed in 1990 by The Salmon Guide to Poetry Publishing and in 1992 by The Salmon Guide to Creative Writing in Ireland. Her poetry has been anthologised in Irish Poetry Now: Other Voices, Unveiling Treasures: The Attic Guide To The Published Works of Irish Women Literary Writers and The White Page/An Bhileog Bhan: Twentieth-Century Irish Women Poets, among others. She has conducted workshops and given readings all over Ireland and the United States for many years. She is the co-founder and Managing Director of Salmon Poetry. In 2008, she edited Salmon: A Journey in Poetry, 1981-2007, an anthology of Salmon Poetry. In 2009 she compiled and edited Poetry: Reading it, Writing it, Publishing it.

Paul Casey was born in Cork in 1968. He has lived in a number of countries in Europe and Africa working mostly in film, multimedia and teaching. Paul taught scriptwriting at the Nelson Mandela University in South Africa. He now organises the weekly Ó Bhéal poetry event in Cork city. His poetry and reviews have appeared in a number of Irish journals including THE SHOp, Revival, Cork Literary Review, Southword and Census. A chapbook of Paul’s longer poems, It’s Not All Bad, was published by Heaventree Press in May 2009 and he is working towards his first full collection.

Jean Kavanagh is originally from Dublin, and is now living in Lahinch, Co.Clare. She co-founded The Cascades writing group in Ennistymon in 2001, and is now partaking in Kevin Higgins’s Advanced Poetry Workshop in The Galway Arts Centre. Last year her work was published in its showcase anthology, Lady Gregory's Townhouse. She has read her poetry at Clifden Arts Week and at last year’s National Poetry Day event for County Clare.

There will be an open-mic when the Featured Readers have finished. This is open to anyone who has a poem or story to share. New readers are always especially welcome. The MC for the evening will be Susan Millar DuMars. For further details phone 087-6431748.

Over The Edge acknowledges the ongoing generous financial support of Galway City Council and The Arts Council

   

Cúirt New Writing Prize

The Cúirt International Festival of Literature are delighted to announce the details of the 2010 Cúirt New Writing Prize which offers emerging writers a chance to receive recognition at an internationally recognised literary event. The winner will be presented with a €1000 cash prize at the opening of Cúirt International Festival of Literature in Galway on Tuesday 20th April 2010.
Submission Guidelines are as follows:

Only entries from writers who have not had a collection of their work published or who do not currently have a collection under consideration for publication will be considered.

Submissions may be either poetry or fiction.

Deadline: Friday 26th March.
Poetry: 3 poems, each under 40 lines
Fiction: up to 2500 words

Entries must be sent in hard copy only to:
Cúirt New Writing Prize
Galway Arts Centre
47 Dominick Street
Galway

In addition to your work you are asked to include the following contact details on a separate sheet: Name, email address, phone number.

You may include a stamped addressed envelope if you want your work returned to you (work will not be returned unless postage is paid).

You may include a short biography if you so wish, if you do so please do not staple or attach it to your work, place it at the back of the envelope, separate to your poems/fiction.

The Cúirt Festival of International Literature would like to thank Jimmy Maguire for his generous sponsorship of the Cúirt New Writing Prize. This prize is in memory of Lena Maguire and few who have spent any time in Galway can have remained untouched by Lena’s warmth, charm and her lifelong support of the arts.

FOUR GREAT POETS READ FOR IN GALWAY FOR TROCAIRE

Trocaire, Poetry Ireland and Galway City Council Arts Office are teaming up on Monday 8th March to present a unique poetry event. Face Up to Hunger is a free poetry reading featuring four of Ireland's top poets, reading their work in support of Trocaire's Lenten campaign of human rights awareness. Kathleen O'Driscoll, Sandra Bunting, Moya Cannon and Tom Mathews will be reading their favourite poems and Trocaire spokesperson Theresa Auma Odur from Uganda will lead a discussion on Trocaire's work.

Kathleen O'Driscoll is from Galway. A renowned social activist, acclaimed writer and filmmaker her collection, Love Song came out in Galway last year from Marram Press.

Beguiling Canadian poet, printmaker and batik artist Sandra Bunting has lived in Galway for more than twenty years. She works at the Academic Writing Centre, NUI Galway and leads two creative writing seminars in poetry for undergraduates. Her well praised collection Identified in Trees was published in 2006.

Moya Canon is from Dunfanaghy and lives in Galway. Her first collection Oar won the Brendan Behan Memorial Prize and her most recent collection is Carrying the Songs. She has been editor of the Poetry Ireland Review and is a member of Aosdána.

Cartoonist and Dublin legend Tom Mathews brought out his first poetry collection The Owl and the Pussycat in 2009, which was recently shortlisted for the prestigious Rupert and Eithne Strong Poetry Award.

With the kind support of Druid Theatre Company this enthralling night of great writing will take place in Druid's own beautiful theatre space in Druid Lane, Recently been rebuilt to the highest standard Druid Lane Theatre is a great addition to Galway's arts buildings. The reading starts at 8.00pm, admission is free and all are welcome.

For further information please contact
James Harrold, Arts Officer, Galway City Council
091-536 546
jharrold@galwaycity.ie