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Hartnett Eigse to celebrate 'harp sign of the Irish coin'
THE writer who is believed to be the best selling author ever published in Ireland, Alice Taylor, will give the keynote address on the opening night of Eigse Michael Hartnett on Thursday April 23.
The opening in Newcastle West library always attracts a capacity attendance.
Eigse is now in its 10th year, having been established following the death of Newcastle West-born poet Michael Hartnett in 1999, aged 58.
Alice Taylor sprang to fame with her 1988 rural childhood memoir, To School through the Fields, and these were followed by similarly best selling sequels, Quench the Lamp, The Village, Country Days, and The Night before Christmas, as well as novels, The Woman of the House and Across the River.
Her works have been translated into many languages, including Polish and Japanese.
Also on the opening night, the prestigious Michael Hartnett Poetry Prize will be presented to James Harpur for his collection, The Dark Age.
This prize is presented on alternate years for works in Irish and English and is considered to be the premier prize for poetry in Ireland.
The local post-primary schools will become involved on, Friday, April 24, with poetry readings and workshops by Billy Ramsell, and a special exploration of Michael Hartnett's poetry to be facilitated by Limerick County Council's poet-in-residence Eileen Sheehan.
Also on Friday morning, The Story of the GAA, a new book for children over 10 by Vincent McDonnell, will be launched in the library. The book sketches the 125 years of the GAA in a style accessible to children.
Also for children, writer Judi Curtin will visit primary schools.
In what has become an established feature of the Friday afternoon, storyteller Sonny Egan will entertain the residents and staff of St Ita's Community Hospital.
Evening entertainments will include poetry and song in Courtenay Lodge Hotel.
The courthouse will be the venue for Friday evening's late performance.
Hymn to Love, Remembering Hartnett in Song, with Nye Woulfe performing many of the late poet's favourite classical Irish and international love songs, accompanied by renowned Limerick guitarist Dave Keary.
Saturday morning will again be the occasion for the Michael Hartnett Memorial Lecture, and this year's speaker will be renowned poet Paul Durcan. The lecture will be given in Courtenay Lodge Hotel at 11am.
Once again, the popular but very well conducted "rambling and roving" pub crawl will take place on Saturday afternoon, beginning at 3pm at Ned Lynch's in The Square and making its way via others of Michael Hartnett's haunts to end at Cartlidge's in his native Maiden Street.
Saturday at the courthouse will have an evening of readings and conversation with Pat McCabe, and music on the saxophone by Ken Hinchy.
The biggest event, and to close the festival, will be the concert by Anuna, the international choral group's first ever visit to County Limerick. This will be held in the town's largest venue, the Church of the Immaculate Conception.
The show will centre on the haunting music in which the group specialises, but will also involve candlelight, costume and movement.
"This year's programme is a jostle of poets, writers, musicians, dancers, singers and storytellers, what Michael Hartnett termed 'the harp side of the Irish coin'," said Joan McKernan, county arts officer and festival co-ordinator.
"Events that are bound to inspire, enthuse, stimulate and occasionally bemuse are being hosted throughout the town of Newcastle West, in the library, schools, the courthouse, church, hospital and pubs, creating an ambience of warmth and conviviality that lends itself to lively gatherings and easy conversation," she said.
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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