August 'Over The Edge: Open Reading' with Patrick Cotter, Sarah Clancy & Aron Costello

Patrick Cotter

The August Over The Edge: Open Reading takes place in Galway City Library, St. Augustine Street, Galway on Thursday, August 26th, 6.30-8pm. The Featured Readers are Sarah Clancy, Aron Costello & Patrick Cotter. The reading is sponsored by Poetry Ireland.

Sarah Clancy is from Salthill. She is a participant in the Galway Arts Centre Poetry Workshops facilitated by Kevin Higgins and has previously read her poetry at North Beach Poetry Nights and the Over The Edge open-mic. This year, in a display of what she describes as beginners luck, Sarah was shortlisted in both the poetry section of the WOW awards 2010, and the Listowel Writers Week Collection of Poetry Competition 2010. Her poems feature in the soon to be launched publication of work by participants in the advanced poetry workshop at Galway Arts Centre.

Aron Costello was born in Tuam in 1975. He has lived in Galway City for the past eleven years. Writing since the age of six, he has completed dozens of short stories, plays, poems, and songs. A fan of the Horror/Thriller genre, he is currently finishing his fifth (and sixth!) novels, and has been longlisted in the Over The Edge New Writer of The Year competition. Aron is also reading his work at the Tuam Arts Festival, the evening before his Over The Edge reading.

Patrick Cotter was born Cork in 1963. His work has appeared in the anthologies Separate Islands: Contemporary British and Irish poetry (Quarry, Ontario), Irish Poetry Now (Wolfhound), Jumping off Shadows - Some Contemporary Irish Poets (Cork University Press), The Irish Eros (Gill & Macmillan), The Backyards of Heaven (Newfoundland), Something Beginning with P (O'Brien Press) and in The Great Book of Ireland. In 1984 he was shortlisted for a Hennessy Award. Cotter was runner-up in the Patrick Kavanagh award in 1988. His poems have been translated into Chinese, Estonian, Italian, Norse, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish. He currently directs the Munster Literature. Patrick’s first full-length collection of poems Perplexed Skin was published by Arlen House in 2008. Making Music followed in 2009.

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. THE EVENING WILL ALSO SEE THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE SHORT-LIST FOR THIS YEAR'S OVER THE EDGE NEW WRITER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION. The longlist can be read here http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com/2010/08/2010-over-edge-new-writer-of-year-long_18.html

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

Over the Edge New Writer of the Year: 2010 Competition announced, 2009 winners published

UPDATE: THE 2010 OVER THE EDGE NEW WRITER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION

HAS RECEIVED A RECORD 340 ENTRIES

2010 Over The Edge New Writer of The Year competition sponsored by Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop & Michael D. Higgins TD

In 2010 Over The Edge is continuing its exciting annual creative writing competition. The competition is open to both poets and fiction writers. The total prize money is €1,000. The best fiction entry will win €300. The best poetry entry will win €300. One of these will then be chosen as the overall winner and will receive an additional €400, giving the overall winner total prize money of €700 and the title Over The Edge New Writer of The Year 2010. The 2010 Over The Edge New Writer of The Year will be a Featured Reader at a reading to be scheduled in Galway City Library in Winter 2010/11. Salmon Poetry will read without prejudice a manuscript submitted to them by the winner in the poetry category.

Entries should be sent to Over The Edge, New Writer of the Year competition, 3 Carbry Road, Newcastle, Galway, Ireland with an accompanying SAE. Entries will be judged anonymously, so do not put your name on your poem(s) or story. Put your contact details on a separate sheet.

Criteria: fiction of up to three thousand words, three poems of up to forty lines, or one poem of up to one hundred lines. Multiple entries are acceptable but each must be accompanied by a fee. The fee for one entry is €10. The fee for multiple entries is €7.50 per entry e.g. two entries will cost €15, three entries €22.50 and so on. Fee payable by cheque or money order to Over The Edge. To take part you must be at least sixteen years old by September 1st 2010 and not have a book published or accepted for publication in that genre. Chapbooks excepted. Entries must not have been previously published or be currently entered in any other competition.

The closing date is Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010. A longlist will be announced in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop on Wednesday, August 18th, 2010. A shortlist will be announced at the Over The Edge: Open Reading in Galway City Library on Thursday, August 26th. The winners will be announced at the Over The Edge reading in Galway City Library on Thursday, September 30th, 2010.

This year’s competition judge is James Martyn. James is from Galway where he is a member of The Talking Stick Writing Workshop. James writes both fiction and poetry. He has had work broadcast on both RTE and BBC and won the Listowel Writers Week Originals Short Story Competition. His work has appeared in The Cúirt Journal, West 47, Books Ireland, Crannóg, TheSunday Tribune, The Stinging Fly and The Shop. He was shortlisted for a Hennessy Award in 2006. He was shortlisted for the Francis McManus award in both 2007 and 2008 and for The William Trevor International Short Story Competition in 2007. His first collection of poetry, Shedding Skin, has just been published by Arlen House.

For further details contact Over The Edge on 087-6431748, e-mail over-the-edge-openreadings@hotmail.com

Over The Edge New Writer of the Year: 2009 winners

2009 Over The Edge New Writer of the Year: David Mohan

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 has won the Hennessy Sunday Tribune Poetry Award, as well as the 2008 overall New Irish Writer Award. As part of his prize as 2009 Over The Edge New Writer of The Year David will be a Featured Reader at the Over The Edge: Open Reading in Galway City Library on Thursday, May 27th.

Click to read the winning poems:
Come to Light
Nursing a Star
The Samurai Lovers




Fiction section winner: Orla Higgins

Orla Higgins lives in Galway and recently graduated with an MA in Writing from NUIG. She has won the Over the Edge New Fiction Writer Competition in 2009 for Thin Blue Line and her work has been published in Ropes and Crannog. Orla was also a featured reader at the Over The Edge Emerging Writers Showcase at the 2009 Cuirt International Festival of Literature.

Click to read Thin Blue Line.

Summer Bargains from Doire Press

'Will Days Indeed Come: I Come From There' - POEMS ON ISRAEL & PALESTINE

Over The Edge is looking for poems from poets worldwide on any aspect of the Israel-Palestine issue. The poems can be from any point of view. The only criteria being that they must work as poems and be in some way relevant to what has been happening in that part of the world. 

We also welcome poems from those living in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank on any aspect of life as it is lived there.

We will publish the poems as part of a special feature here on the Over The Edge website.

The title of the project Will Days Indeed Come: I Come From There is borrowed from the titles of two poems: Will Days Indeed Come by Leah Goldberg and I Come From There by Mahmoud Darwish.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: Poems should be e-mailed, both in the body of the e-mail and as an attachment to over-the-edge-openreadings@hotmail.com Poets should also simultaneously send a bio of no more than thirty words in the same format.

Over The Edge Summer Open-Mic @ Westside Library ALL WELCOME TO READ

Over The Edge in association with Westside Arts Festival presents a reading by the Westside Writers and the 2010 Over The Edge Summer Open-mic at Westside Library, Seamus Quirke Road on Wednesday, July 21st from 7 pm.

The Westside Library Writers, who have participated in a series of workshops facilitated by Kevin Higgins, will read from their work. Afterwards the annual Over The Edge Summer Open-mic will take place. Everyone who has a poem or story to share is most welcome to take part. So, if you have some writing you’d like to read to an audience this is your opportunity to do so.

The MCs for the evening will be Kevin Higgins & Susan Millar DuMars. All are welcome to attend.

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

Launch of 'Away With Words' Volume 2 @ Ballybane Library

That’s LIFE, Brothers of Charity Services invites you to the launch of Away With Words Vol. 2, edited by Susan Millar DuMars, in Ballybane Library on Wednesday July 14th at 11am.

Kevin Higgins of Over the Edge will launch this collection of poetry and writings from the work of the Away With Words groups from Galway, Ballinasloe, Gort and Athenry. This is a celebration of their gifts and work. Come along and support them.

Tea, coffee and light refreshments served. All welcome.

July Writer's Gathering at Sheridan's Wine Bar: Jennifer Liston, Dave Lordan, Rosemary Canavan, Drucilla Wall & Elaine Feeney

Jennifer Liston

Over The Edge presents readings by poets, Dave Lordan, Rosemary Canavan, Elaine Feeney & Drucilla Wall plus the Galway launch of Lead Skeletons, a new poetry collection by Jennifer Liston, at Sheridan’s Wine Bar, 14-16 Church Yard Street, Galway on Friday, July 9th, 8pm.

Jennifer Liston was born in Limerick and grew up in Gort, Co Galway, Ireland. She now lives in Adelaide, Australia. Her first collection of poetry, Exposure, was published by Ginninderra Press in May 2003. Her second collection of poetry, 17 poems: one for every year of innocence, was published by White Wave Press in 2008. Jennifer was a member of a poetry group in Sydney, a member of the Canberra Closet Poets group, and is a founding member of the Adelaide Closet Poets. She is also a member of the South Australian Writers’ Centre. She has performed her poems at several Irish and Australian poetry events. Lead Skeletons is Jennifer’s third collection of poetry and is published by White Wave Press. The book will be launched on the night by Kevin Higgins.

Dave Lordan was born in Derby, England, in 1975, and grew up in Clonakilty in West Cork. In 2004 he was awarded an Arts Council bursary and in 2005 he won the Patrick Kavanagh Award for Poetry. His collections are The Boy in The Ring (Salmon Poetry, 2007), which won the Strong Award for best first collection by an Irish writer and was shortlisted for the Irish Times poetry prize; and Invitation to a Sacrifice (Salmon Poetry, 2010) which is just published. Eigse Riada theatre company produced his first play, Jo Bangles, at the Mill Theatre, Dundrum in 2010. He has lived in Holland, Greece and Italy, and now resides in Greystones, Co Wicklow.

Poet, children’s author, teacher, visual artist, Rosemary Canavan was born in Scotland, brought up in County Antrim and lives in Cork. Her first collection, The Island (2004), was published by Story Line Press, and was short-listed for the Vincent Buckley Poetry Prize. Her second collection, Trucker's Moll (Salmon, 2009), was launched at the Munster Literature Centre's Éigse 2009 festival. In 2001 she was Writer-in-Residence for Co. Kerry, and from 2006-2007 she was Poetry Editor for Southword. Her two children’s books, Lios Chaitríona and Caitriona agus an tÉan Oir, were published by An Gúm, and she has read at a number of festivals including the Cheltenham Literary Festival.


Drucilla Wall has published poems and essays in Cream City Review, Kalliope, The People Who Stayed: South Eastern Indian Writing After Removal; Eating Fire, Tasting Blood: Breaking the Great Silence of the American Indian Holocaust; Times of Sorrow/Times of Grace: Writing by Women of the Great Plains/High Plains; and True West: Authenticity and the American West. She serves on the executive board for the Western Literature Association and holds membership in the Wordcraft Circle of Native American Writers. She teaches writing at the University of Missouri-Saint Louis. Her first collection of poem, The Geese At The Gates, will be published very early next year by Salmon Poetry.

Elaine Feeney was born in Galway in 1979. She has been writing since her early teens. In 2006 she won the North Beach Nights Grand Slam and in 2008 won the Cuirt Festival’s Poetry Grand Slam. She is a keen page and performance writer. Elaine has performed at many venues including The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Electric Picnic, The Vilenica Festival and The Cúirt International Literature Festival. She was the chosen writer on a One Sheet collaboration in 2010 with an artist and a graphic designer and this work is currently on exhibit across Dublin. Her work has been translated into Slovene. Elaine lives in Athenry with her partner Ray, and sons, Jack and Finn. Her debut collection of poetry, Where’s Katie, is just published by Salmon Poetry.

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.

Salmon Poetry presents the Galway Launch of 'Where's Katie?' by Elaine Feeney & 'Invitation to a Sacrifice' by Dave Lordan

Salmon Poetry invites you to celebrate the publication of two new collections of poetry


Where’s Katie? by Elaine Feeney

Launch introduction by Aaron Copeland
&
Invitation to a Sacrifice by Dave Lordan

Launch introduction by Jessie Lendennie


VENUE: The City Museum, Spanish Arch, Galway
DATE/TIME: Saturday 10th July, 1pm
for further details: http://www.salmonpoetry.com
Salmon Poetry, Knockeven, Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare
Tel: 065 -7081941
email: info@salmonpoetry.com

AND AFTERWARDS @ Bar 8, The Docks: Cúirt Grand Slam Winners Showcase to celebrate launch of Lordan and Feeney's new collections. MC for the afternoon will be Mags Treanor from Loose Lips and music afterwards by No Relation. All Welcome.

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