Away with Words Poetry Festival for Bundoran
Poetry fans and creative writing enthusiasts in the North-west have an exciting three-day event to look forward to this month. “AWAY WITH WORDS – A Celebration of Irish Writing” will be held in Bundoran on consecutive evenings from 23rd to 25th October at the Atlantic Apartotel.
Award-winning Professor of Poetry Ireland Paula Meehan will be joined by fellow poet, novelist and prose writer Theo Dorgan, and an eclectic line up of writers and poets from USA and Ireland. All events are open to the public and are free to attend. The festival opens on Sunday evening October 23 with music historian, scholar, and author Marc Geagan. Marc will talk about his literary and musical journey, tracing and tracking the local songs and stories of Donegal, Leitrim, and Sligo. Marc’s presentation will also feature local musicians.
On Monday 24th, Irish American poet Séan Nevin will host an evening of poetry with two of Ireland’s best- the afore-mentioned Paula Meehan, and Irish-Nigerian poet Chiamaka Enyi-Amadi. Paula Meehan’s poetry is actually on the Leaving Certificate for 2023, but as she would say herself, ‘don’t let that put you off’. Paula is a warm and entertaining person, and a joy to listen to. She will be joined by Chiamaka, a young Nigerian Irish poet, writer, editor, and performer.
A fantastic double-bill is on offer on Tuesday 25th October. At 6pm New York author Robert Ready and poet Theo Dorgan will host a workshop on Fintan O’Toole’s book ‘We Don’t Know Ourselves’. This presentation includes a discussion of O’Toole’s work and will also delve into the themes and style of O’Toole’s work and will conclude with an optional freewriting session to explore what O’Toole’s work might offer aspiring writers.
This event will be followed at 8.30pm by Donegal Poet Annmarie Ni Churreain and Corkonian Theo Dorgan will be reading from their work. Theo, as noted above, is a very successful and well-known poet, author, and critic, and as you will discover, a great storyteller and wit. Annemarie is one of Ireland’s most successful young poets, hailing from the Gaoth Dobhair Gaeltacht. She writes in Irish and English, and her themes include the importance of culture and heritage in Irish life, and also the lives and roles of women in rural Ireland.
Tickets for all of these events are free, but please do register on Eventbrite or by emailing info@isaireland.com This literary festival is sponsored by the Institute of Study Abroad Ireland and the Atlantic Apartotel Bundoran.
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