This weekend – October 1st to 4th Dromineer Literary Festival 2015

The Dromineer Literary Festival committee has all arrangements in place now, for the 2015 festival. We look forward, very much, to meeting you at the various events. In recent days, past participants have been emailing their good wishes and comments on their experiences at Drominner; the welcome extended from our entire community features strongly in their remarks. (You can read these comments on our website www.dromineerliteraryfestival.ie)

Festival Committee & Commodore of Lough Derg Yacht Club. Standing L to R: Eleanor Hooker, Chairperson & Programme Curator, Geraldine Cronin, Book Curator & Sales, Dave McAvinchey, Vice-Chairperson, Irish Language Advisor, David Meredith, Commodore Lough Derg Yacht Club, Melanie Scott, Arts Officer, Tipperary County Council. Seated L to R: Virginia O’Dowd, Transition Year Workshops Co-Ordinator, Geraldine McNulty, Visual & Artisitc Advisor, Margaret Kennedy, Hospitality & Welcome. Absent from the photograph: Pat Kelly, Treasurer, Debbie Powell, Secretary, Margaret Folan, Primary Schools Competition Co-Ordinator

The first event of the festival, Thursday October 1, is Peter Sheridan’s highly commended one-man play, 44 Seville Place. The play, performed by Sheridan himself, is his account of his fabulous and heart-breaking childhood. Bookings can be made directly through the Nenagh Arts Centre.

We are delighted and honoured to have the internationally acclaimed poets George Szirtes, Pascale Petit, Billy Ramsell and Thomas McCarthy (chair for the event) reading at our Poetry Evening,Friday evening, October 2. This evening will be captivating as these poets have their work grounded in the realities and mysteries of everyday life.

The event, Mindfulness  – A Meditation, which takes place Saturday October 3 at Nenagh Arts Centre, has become a talking point of this year’s festival programme.  On the night we will hear three different perspectives on the concept of mindfulness by: Mary McEvoy, (known to many as ‘Biddy’ from Glenroe) actor, author and Buddhist;  Mary O’Callaghan, psychotherapist and mindfulness trainer; and Fr Columba McCann OSB from Glenstal Abbey. Pat Kelly will chair the event.

There are places still available on Lisa Coen and Sarah Davis-Goff (from the exciting and innovative publishing house, Tramp Press) will host a ‘How NOT to mess up your submission’ workshop.  This workshop take place upstairs at Lough Derg Yacht Club, Saturday morning, October 3. For more information, please email infor@dromineerliteraryfestival.ie

At 4pm on Saturday afternoon, October 3 at Lough Derg Yacht Club, poet George Szirtes will introduce The Launching Party, readings by three gifted poets who launched poetry books this year:Breda Wall Ryan, Victoria Kennefick and Maeve O’Sullivan.

At 4pm Sunday October 4, our first ever Irish language event, Dánta Ghrádha – Irish love poems through the ages, will take place in the highly atmospheric and recently restored Nenagh Castle. Two outstanding Irish language poets, Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh and Caitríona Ní Chléirchín, and ancient Irish language expert David McAvinchey, will discuss how love is expressed in traditional Irish poetry compared to modern works. Music will be provided by harpist Laura Hogan. Do dress warmly for this event. We’re afraid there is no wheelchair access to the performance area.

At 12midday, Sunday, October 4, the highly popular Afloat event on Lough Derg, has the talented Tipperary singer and songwriter, Molly Sterling discuss her songwriting and perform some of her songs. This event takes place aboard the Spirit of Killaloe. Places are strictly limited, so early booking is essential. Please email info@dromineerliteraryfestival.ie

Our festival exhibition, Labyrinth, is by young Tipperary artist Lisa Griffin. Lisa is recently home from London Fashion Week having won Canon Young Fashion Photographer of the Year 2015. Lisa’s extraordinarily evocative photographs will be available to view and purchase upstairs in Lough Derg Yacht Club and at Nenagh Arts Centre throughout the festival weekend.

Your continued support is central to the success of this festival, thank you, we look forward to seeing you over the weekend.

Dromineer Literary Festival October 1-4 2015

http://www.dromineerliteraryfestival.ie

Full programme and brochure available to view here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7P46PQVuvDgYXVsYkEwdnpicUE/view