November 'Loose Lips'

One Night, Ten Stories: Loose Lips Returns to the Roisín Dubh


Wednesday, November 24th, sees the return of Loose Lips, with MC Mags Treanor who hosts the mic. for all those who have a story to tell and can get up and do so within about five minutes. Of course it’s not just about telling stories, it’s also about listening, so if you fancy a roller coaster of emotions all in one night, come along to the Roisin Dubh at 9pm and be prepared to laugh and cry at the broad range of stories from the brilliant to the bizarre.

Everyone has a story, and Loose Lips offers a stage and a microphone to members of the audience who would like to tell their story, provided it is true and unscripted. Each month’s session is inspired by a different theme, and with November being a bleak month, it’s going to be a free for all with an open theme. So all you need is any story at all that’s worth telling, and if you don’t have one, just bring along a good pair of ears.


So, whether you just want to come along and listen, or tell your story, Wednesday the 24th of November 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 open, so anything goes!
Cover charge: 5 euro
Time: 9pm start, registration from 8:30pm
For more information please contact Mags on 087 6500700

October 'Over The Edge: Open Reading' with Ger Reidy, Damien Drohan & Martin Dyar

Ger Reidy

The October Over The Edge: Open Reading takes place in Galway City Library, St. Augustine Street, Galway on Thursday, October 28th, 6.30-8pm. The Featured Readers are Ger Reidy, Damien Drohan & Martin Dyar.

Ger Reidy was born near Westport in Co. Mayo in 1958, qualified as a Civil Engineer in 1979 and started writing poetry in 1980. His first collection of poems, Pictures from a Reservation, was published by Dedalus Press in 1998, and received widespread praise for its compelling voice and authentic evocation of the west of Ireland. His second collection, Drifting Under the Moon, was published earlier this year and considerably advanced his reputation, the new poems revealing an increased awareness of craft, a broadening and deepening of his vision.

Damien Drohan is a Limerick man who came to Galway and stayed for the weather. He is now a student teacher, so please excuse him if he dives for cover at any loud noises. He once tried to write a book about procrastination, but never got around to it. Damien mostly writes short fiction, but will write a poem if badgered enough. Most of his characters are a nastier version of himself, and say the things he would never say, at least in polite company. He has been a participant in creative writing classes at Galway Technical Institute and was longlisted in the 2010 Over The Edge New Writer of The Year competion.

Martin Dyar grew up in Swinford in County Mayo. He has worked as a special needs teacher, a teacher of creative writing, and as a lecturer in medical ethics. His poetry has been published widely in journals, including the John McGahern yearbook, the Oxford Magazine, Poetry Ireland Review, the Stinging Fly, and Ropes. His writing has received a number of awards, including the Patrick Kavanagh Award in 2009, and the Strokestown Poetry Award in 2001. This year he was selected for the Poetry Introductions Series. He is also the recipient of an Arts Council Bursary Award in Literature for 2010. Martin will also be performing his one man show Tom Loves a Lord, with soprano Anna-Louise Costello, at the Town Hall Theatre in Galway on October 29th.

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.

'Tom Loves A Lord' written & performed by Martin Dyar, directed by Caroline Lynch

TOM LOVES A LORD
‘A new and exciting voice in Irish writing’ -Brian Lynch


SHORE THEATRE Presents a THOMAS MOORE Experience
Written and Performed by Martin Dyar, Winner of the Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award
Directed by Caroline Lynch


Oct 29th Town Hall Theatre Galway (€15/€12) 091 569777
Nov 3rd Charlestown Arts Centre (John Healy W/E) 094 9255820
Nov 6th Anaverna House Ravensdale Dundalk (€20) 042 9371490
With selections from MOORE’S MELODIES sung by ANNA-LOUISE COSTELLO with pianist Aileen Cahill, the gripping and hilarious one man show
http://www.theshore.ie/

October 'Loose Lips' at Roisín Dubh

Loose Lips is back this Wednesday 27th of October. 9pm, upstairs at the Roisin Dubh, Dominick Street, Galway with a halloween special - SPOOKED OUT! So if you've ever seen a ghost, been scared, freaked someone out or done anything spooky, come along with your story!

2010 Over The Edge Fiction Slam with Kevin Barry

After the huge success of last year’s inaugural event, Over The Edge presents its second annual fiction slam with Featured Reader, Kevin Barry, at Café 8 @ The Museum, Spanish Arch, Galway on Friday, October 15th, 8pm.

Kevin Barry’s debut collection of short stories, There Are Little Kingdoms, was awarded the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature. His stage adaptation of the book has since been produced by Meridian Theatre in Cork and by Keegan Theatre in Washington DC. His first novel, City Of Bohane, is to be published in spring 2011. The short film of his screenplay, The Ballad Of Kid Kanturk, is currently showing at festivals. His short stories have appeared in many journals and anthologies including The New Yorker, Phoenix Best Irish Stories, The Stinging Fly and The Dublin Review. He lives in County Sligo.

Poetry slams have grown in popularity during the past few years, but now it’s the fiction writers’ turn. The first twelve fiction writers to make it to Café 8 @ The Museum on the evening of Friday, October 15th and register will be guaranteed a place in the slam. All participating writers should bring two pieces of their own fiction, as there are two rounds. The time limit in both rounds is five minutes. Extracts from longer stories are admissible. Stories do not have to be memorised. The Fiction Slam will be judged by a three person jury made up of two audience members and Kevin Barry. Three writers will go through to the second round and the prize for the winner is a bottle of wine.

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

North Beach Poetry Nights' Special

With Guest Poet: Martin Daws (Wales), Farrago Autumn Slam Champion 2010 on Monday 25th October at 9pm in The Crane Bar, Sea Road, Galway.

An electrifying poet whose live sets blend free musicality, innovative rhythm and lyrical dexterity to drive his poetry through journeys into life, nature and who the hell we think we are, anyway!

Also: extra October Poetry Slam. Poets wishing to take part in the slam should please bring along 2 max. 3 minute poems.
Door: 5/3 Euro
Info: John@ 091-593290

Galway Arts Centre Poetry Slam Returns

The Galway Arts Centre Poetry Slam will kick off again on Tuesday 19th October at 7pm at the Galway Arts Centre, 47 Dominick Street.

The Slam with MC Pete Mullineaux will take place the third Tuesday of every month with winners earning a place in the popular: Cúirt Grand Slam event next April.

Anyone can participate on the night and new comers are very welcome. To participate you need one poem/piece that will take about 3 minutes to perform. Judges on the night will select their favourite and the winner will be invited to be a guest reader at the next slam as well as qualifying for the Cúirt Grand Slam which will take place during next year’s Cúirt International Festival of Literature 12-17 April 2011. In addition to this, the winner’s poem will be published on the Galway Arts Centre website along with a biography of the contestant.

There will also be an interactive words game on the night with a Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop voucher up for grabs.

Admission is free and wine will be provided. All are welcome.

Crannóg Celebrate 25th Edition

On Friday 22nd October at 6:30pm in The Crane Bar, Galway literary magazine Crannóg will celebrate their 25th Issue with a special evening of readings and music. There will also be a full bar and finger food courtesy of The Gourmet Tart Co and The Crane.


Crannóg, which has been published since the year 2002 has published the work of over 1000 writers. Its dedicated editorial team: Sandra Bunting, Gerardine Burke, Jarlath Fahy and Tony O’Dwyer, edit, produce and design the magazine which is published three times a year (February, June, October).


The journal came out of the renowned Galway Writers’ Workshop from which many leading Irish poets have emerged.


Crannóg is unique as it features work from writers not just locally and nationally but also internationally and has a very wide distribution, having readers and fans as far away as India, Australia and South America.


The 25th edition is a special, extended magazine featuring in the region of 50 writers. It will be launched by guest speaker Des Kenny upstairs in the Crane Bar and attendees on the evening will be in with a chance to win a 3yr subscription to the magazine. Animation Filmmaker Edith Peiperhoff will also talk about how Crannóg is important for artists/photographers/filmmakers, whose striking designs have been used on the covers of the magazine.


A display case containing past issues of the magazine has been placed in Galway City Library Augustine Street in advance of the launch. Earlier issues are now collectors’ items as it is difficult to get a complete set of all 25 issues.


There are also submission details published and available around the city’s bookshops and libraries for anyone who wishes to submit material for the next edition February 2011.


You are warmly invited to join Crannóg for their celebration, the evening is free and all are welcome.


http://www.crannogmagazine.com

KILTIMAGH ‘IN SIGHT OF RAFTERY’ FESTIVAL 2010

Daytime Schedule

Adult Writer’s workshops: Searching Among The Bones

Saturday, November 13th, at the Town Hall Theatre, Kiltimagh from 11am – 12.30pm, poet Terry McDonagh and author Louise Lawrence will each tackle the above title from their unique perspective and discipline. Promising a different type of workshop, each participant will begin with a blank page..........................

Schools workshops: Between Monday 8th and Friday 12th, Terry McDonagh will facilitate workshops throughout the region in participating schools.

SCHOOLS POETRY COMPETITION GRAND FINAL: Town Hall Theatre

Saturday November 13th, 2pm start
Students from regional schools have been invited to submit poetry for this competition. The finalists will read their poems in front of an audience of their supporters, plus the three judges, Colette Nic Aodha, Terry McDonagh and Louise Lawrence, who will adjudicate on the day. The gratefully received sponsored prizes are identical for both primary and secondary school categories:

1st Prize: 50euro voucher from C&C Cellular
2nd Prize: 25euro voucher from Easons
3rd Prize: Selection of stationery from TC Kitchens

Evening Schedule

Wednesday, November 10th : Town Hall Theatre at 8pm

Mise Raiftearaí an Fíodóir Focal: Exclusive footage from Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin's forthcoming documentary/drama, Mise Raiftearaí an Fiodóir Focal. Written and presented by local man Tadhg, and directed by Seán O'Cualáin from Sónta Production Company, Connemara, the documentary/drama about the life and times of legendary Mayo poet and songwriter, Anthony Raftery, is due to be aired on TG4 on Christmas Day. The festival was hoping to be able to offer an entire screening, but we have to postpone the screening until after the festival, date to be advised. We are delighted to be able to offer Tadhg's exclusive insight into the making of the film and the journey it took.

Official Festival Launch: Colette Nic Aodha will host our official launch, which follows on from Mise Raiftearaí an Fiodóir Focal, in the Town Hall Theatre with music from Ollie Burke and Mary MacNicholas

Thursday, November 11th 2010 : Cill Aodain Hotel at 8pm
The two readings this night will be from Noel King and Terry McDonagh. Noel will be launching his new book, ‘Prophesying the Past’ on the night and of course there’ll be ceol freisin!

Friday, November 12th:
Park Hotel at 7pm: Book launch with Basil Burke. This is the third volume in Basil’s collection and is appropriately titled ‘Kiltimagh Remembered, volume 3.

Cill Aodain Hotel at 8pm: Open Mic til 10.30 approximately, then on to Kitty McGreals for the traditional late night session

Saturday, November 13th: Cill Aodain Hotel at 9pm
There will be three readings on the final night, one each from Colette Nic Aodha, Ger Reidy and Louise Lawrence. Music this night will be performed by Tony Reidy.

2010 Over The Edge New Writer of The Year: THE RESULTS

The winners of this year's Over The Edge New Writer of The Year competition were announced by competition judge James Martyn at the September Over The Edge: Open Reading this evening in Galway City Library.

PRIZES GO TO NICOLA GRIFFIN & SEAMUS SCANLON

Nicola Griffin won the poetry section with her poem ‘Pandora’s Well’. She will receive €300 in prize money and Salmon Poetry will read without prejudice a manuscript of her poetry.

Nicola Griffin pictured centre

Nicola Griffin grew up in Cheshire in the North West of England and studied Psychology and Sociology at the University of Keele in Staffordshire. She has lived in East Clare since 1997. She writes poetry, non-fiction and fiction, is a graduate of the MA in Writing at NUIG and a participant in the Advanced Poetry Workshop at Galway Arts Centre. She has a regular column in Inland Waterways News and her poetry has recently been published in Ropes Unravelled, The Sunday Tribune, The Stinging Fly, Behind The Masks and Crannóg.

Seamus Scanlon won the fiction section with his story ‘The Butterfly Love Song’. Seamus is also the 2010 Over The Edge New Writer of The Year. He will receive €700 in prize money and will be a Featured Reader at an Over The Edge: Open Reading in the next few months.

Seamus Scanlon, 2010 Over The Edge New Writer of The Year

Seamus Scanlon is originally from Galway but has lived in New York City for the past few years, where he has been a student of creative writing at City College New York. Seamus was short-listed for the 2009 Hennessy New Irish Writing Award and his work has appeared in Global City Review, Promethean and the Journal of Experimental Fiction. He has read his work at The Cell Theater, the Mysterious Bookshop, McNally Robinson Bookshop, St. Patrick's Day Literary Brunch, the Ulysses Bar and the Over The Edge open-mic.

The following fiction writers were highly commended by competition judge James Martyn:
Niamh Mulvey for her story ‘Swansong’
Kevin Doyle for his story ‘Those Days He Was Here’
Suzanne Walsh for her story ‘The Best Job’
Evelyn Parsons for her story ‘Mr. Right’.

The following poets were highly commended:
Marie Cadden for her poem ‘Seduced’
Tom Lavelle for his poems ‘One-To-One’, ‘Citeog’ and ‘Beds’
Angela Carr for her poems ‘Brink’, ‘After The Storm’ and ‘Once I Was A Tree’
Maresa Sheehan for her poems You’re your Greens’, ‘Parsnips and Cats’, and ‘A Strawberry of a man’
James O’Toole for his poem ‘Template For The Future’.

Over The Edge would like to thanks our competition sponsors, Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop and Michael D. Higgins TD, our competition judge James Martyn and all the writers who entered this year’s competition.

The competition short-list can be read here
http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com/2010/08/short-list-announced-for-2010-over-edge.html

The long-list can be read here
http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com/2010/08/2010-over-edge-new-writer-of-year-long_18.html

Salmon Poetry presents Rita Ann Higgins, Aideen Henry & Glenn Shea @ Charlie Byrne's Bookshop

Poetry Reading with Rita Ann Higgins, Aideen Henry & Glenn Shea in Charlie Byrne's Bookshop.

Date: Saturday, October 09, 2010
Time: 6pm
Venue: Charlie Byrne's Bookshop, Middle Street, Galway
http://www.salmonpoetry.com/event-details.php?ID=111

North Beach Poetry Nights welcomes Elaine Feeney

North Beach Poetry Nights welcomes Elaine Feeney on Monday 11th October at 9pm in The Crane Bar, Sea Road, Galway.

Elaine Feeney brings her Nationwide Summer/Autumn tour to an end this week at North Beach Poetry Nights' monthly poetry slam.

Elaine began her literary career by winning the NBN Grand Slam in 2006 and went on to win the Cuirt Festival's prestigious Grand Slam in 2008. This success meant performances to critical acclaim at International venues including The Vilenica Literature Festival and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She performed with poet Dave Lordan at this years Electric Picnic. Elaine published her first chapbook in 2007 and this summer saw the publication of her debut collection, Where's Katie? by Salmon Poetry.

Her work was described in review on Radio One's Arena as 'Wonderful, wonderful stuff, poetry not for the faint hearted'. She has since recorded some of her work which has been aired on RTE Radio One.

Elaine is spending the winter finishing a drama, 'Playing with Women'. She is a powerful and captivating voice of the New Irish poetry scene and is well worth checking out.

Poets wishing to take part in the poetry slam should bring along 2 max. 3 minute poems.

Door: 5/3 Euro

Info: John@091-593290

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

North Beach Poetry Nights offers Performance Workshop with Welsh Spoken Word Poet Martin Daws

North Beach Poetry Nights is offering a Performance Workshop with Welsh Spoken Word Poet Martin Daws on Monday 25th October from 17.30 to 20.00 upstairs in The Crane Bar, Sea Road Galway.

For 10 participants on a first come basis. Price 10 Euro.
Sign up by email: johnmawalsh@gmail.com  

An electrifying poet whose live sets blend free musicality, innovative rhythm and lyrical dexterity to drive his poetry through journeys into life, nature and who the hell we think we are, anyway! Martin Daws is Farrago Autumn Slam Champ 2010, has been a runner-up in the Glastonbury Festival Slam and the John Tripp Award for Spoken Poetry. He got a coveted five star review at the Edinburgh Festival and is the author of the acclaimed book/cd 'Skin Tight the Sidewalk'.

Martin Daws writes about multi-culturalism, identity, personal integrity, and the evolution of culture. He is also fascinated with the way we build relationships with that which is bigger than us; nature, society, the universe, God... His aim is to make meaningful music out of spoken word, with as much freedom to improvise as possible.

In 2008 Martin published his first book/CD, titled ‘Skin Tight the Sidewalk’. His work has been broadcast by BBC Radio Wales, been published in international journals, and has been performed extensively around the UK and Ireland. More recently Martin’s musical collaborations with Rob Mackay have toured internationally, taking video of Martin in performance and recordings of his voice to multi-media performances in 4 continents.

Yvonne Cullen's Writing Train is taking off into Autumn!

Classes and workshops in Dublin at all levels start soon. They include Writing Train's original Fortnightly workshops starting on 13 Oct, Intensive Beginners classes on 18 Oct and the long-running Thursday night Writing Train. This last mentioned workshop has started but some 'late-start' places remain. Writing Train had 7 workshop participants, 5 current and 2 previous, shortlisted for the Over The Edge award this year, with participant Maresa Sheehan highly commended!

"Best Creative Writing Teacher in Dublin" Dubliner Magazine.

For an overview of Writing Train's approaches and other up-coming courses including Hallowe'en Writing Jaunt to Inis Mor, Yvonne's brochure is available at http://www.yvonnecullen.com/

You can also follow Yvonne's thoughts on the writing life at Facebook page Yvonne Cullen's Writing Train.

September ‘Over The Edge: Open Reading’ with Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh, Nicola Griffin & Billy Ramsell PLUS New Writer of The Year To Be Announced

The September Over The Edge: Open Reading takes place in Galway City Library, St. Augustine Street, Galway on Thursday, September 30th, 6.30-8pm. The Featured Readers are Nicola Griffin, Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh & Billy Ramsell. The evening will also see the announcement of the winners of this year’s Over The Edge New Writer of the Year competition by competition judge, James Martyn.

Nicola Griffin grew up in Cheshire in the North West of England and studied Psychology and Sociology at the University of Keele in Staffordshire. She has lived in East Clare since 1997. She writes poetry, non-fiction and fiction, is a graduate of the MA in Writing at NUIG and a participant in the Advanced Poetry Workshop at Galway Arts Centre. She has a regular column in Inland Waterways News and her poetry has recently been published in Ropes Unravelled, The Sunday Tribune, The Stinging Fly, Behind The Masks and Crannóg.


Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh was born in Kerry in 1984. She studied Irish and French at NUI Galway. She has lived in France and spent a year teaching Irish in New York with the Fulbright programme. The Arts Council awarded her an artist’s bursary in 2008. Her poems have appeared or are forthcoming in Fusion, An Guth, Crannóg, The Stinging Fly and Poetry Ireland Review. She has read in Ireland, New York, Montreál and the Outer Hebrides. She is currently carrying out doctoral research in Galway. Her first collection, Péacadh, was published by Coiscéim in 2008.

Billy Ramsell was born in Cork in 1977 and educated at the North Monastery and UCC. Complicated Pleasures, his first collection, was published by the Dedalus Press, Dublin, in 2007. He has been shortlisted for a Hennessy award and a Strong award. He has been invited to read his work at many festivals around the world; most recently in Shanghai and in San Francisco. He lives in Cork where he co-runs an educational publishing company.

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

September 'Loose Lips'

LOOSE LIPS! is back this Wednesday night 29th of September at 9pm, upstairs in the Roisín Dubh and the theme is ROBBED. Have you ever robbed anything? An orchard, a bank, someone else's partner? Have you ever been robbed, mugged or had an idea stolen from you? Whatever the connection with robbed, come along and tell the story as long as it's your own story and you can do it in about five minutes.

Salmon Poetry announces Galway Launch of 'Hurting God' by Rita Ann Higgins

Salmon Poetry

invites you to celebrate the Galway launch of

Hurting God

Part Essay Part Rhyme

by

Rita Ann Higgins

God, púcas, jiving factory girls, a crocodile-wielding father, long-lost lives and equally long-lost multinationals all form part of the brilliant world of Rita Ann Higgins’s As well as collection of essays and poems, Hurting God – Part Essay Part Rhyme. highlighting Rita Ann’s unique voice, this book gives a special insight into how closely prose and poetry can work together to bring a perspective that enables deep understanding.

For over two This is as decades Rita Ann Higgins has been a poetic voice for the voiceless. Now, in these essays which form a poetic true in her plays as in her poetry. memoir, she shows yet again that she is one of the best contemporary Irish writers.

“Higgins’s work does not function to keep anyone out, but invite them to sit on the back wall with her, looking in all directions from this edge.” from ‘Watch your Language’: Speculative Theory and the Poetry of Rita Ann Higgins by Moynagh Sullivan, National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Launch Introduction by

DES KENNY

Venue: The Town Hall Theatre, Courthouse Square, Galway

Date/Time: Saturday 25th September, 2pm

All are welcome.

We look forward to seeing you and your friends/family there!

For more info about this book,

and to purchase copies online, visit our website:

http://www.salmonpoetry.com

Published by:

Salmon Poetry, Knockeven,

Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland

Culture Night @ Galway City Library: an evening of Finnish Poetry & Music

http://www.galwayculturenight.com/

Friday, September 24^th 6pm-9pm @ Galway City Library

Europe can be comprehended outside its interaction with other cultures. Europe is a fragmented space that always strives toward some form of integration. There is a profound, non-negotiable need for communication with the world. Galway City Library will present an evening of Finnish poetry and music. At any stage of the evening, audience members may read aloud a Finnish poem or paragraph, which has been translated into English. The translated poems will be available in the library in advance. Please join us. The evening will be facilitated by the Philadelphian born poet and writer Susan Millar DuMars.

Culture Night reading by Galway Writers at Charlie Byrne's Bookshop

http://www.galwayculturenight.com/

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th, 6.30-9.30pm. One of Galway's much loved institutions, Charlie Byrne's Bookshop, will host an evening of readings by Galway Based authors who have published work over the past year. Featuring prose and poetry, fiction and non-fiction this magical evening will take place in the relaxed atmosphere of Charlie Byrne's. MC for the evening will be Kevin Higgins. (To be broadcast live by Galway Bay FM's Arts Show.)

Mexican literary magazine seeks emerging Irish writers

Joaquín Guillén Márquez, one of the editors of Mexican literary magazine Cuadrivio (http://cuadrivio.net/) has been in touch with Over The Edge to let us know that the magazine is planning a special edition devoted to emerging Irish literature.

Cuadrivio has already published some of the best young writers of Mexico. The magazine is seeking poem and stories by emerging writers in Ireland who are under the age of 35 which they will translate into Spanish for the issue which will be launched on Bloomsday 2011.

Joaquín Guillén Márquez can be contacted at zoo@cuadrivio.net