Poetry Weekend 2008
Friday 25th - Sunday 27th April 2008

‘As if your life (not livelihood)
            depended on it.’

Introduction
The Patrick Kavanagh Rural & Literary Resource Centre, Inniskeen, nestles among Monaghan’s rolling hills, which have long been an inspiration for legends and a home to poets. It is the venue for this weekend of poetry workshops in which acclaimed poet and author, Mary O’Donnell will direct participants.

This weekend course is suitable for both beginners and those who have written some poetry. Participants will work towards producing solid drafts of two new poems during the course of the weekend, the idea being that when they leave they will feel confident enough to finish the work.

The workshop will provide a vocabulary and place for the critical evaluation of participants’ work in a progress-oriented way. Sessions include reading and discussion of contemporary poetry with a view to examining tried and tested methods and techniques. Apart from that, this should be and adventure with language and experience. Think life, not livelihood!

Director: Mary O’Donnell Monaghan-born Mary O’Donnell is a poet and novelist. After graduating in German and Philosophy from St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, she held a variety of positions before becoming a fulltime writer. Her novels include: ‘The Light-Makers’, ‘Virgin and the boy’ and ‘The Elysium Testament’. She has published three poetry collections, among them ‘Spiderwoman’s Third Avenue Rhapsody’ and 'Unlegendary Heroes’, as well as a collection of stories, ‘Strong Pagans’. Her critically praised third novel, ‘The Elysium Testament’, was published in 1999 by Trident Press.

She was awarded the ‘James Joyce Suspended Sentence’ residency to Australia for May/June 2001 where she took part in the Sydney International Writers’ Festival and Bloomsday Festival in Beijing, China.

She is an experienced broadcaster who has scripted and presented three series of poetry programmes for radio; her poems and essays, including translations from German poetry, have been widely published in literary magazines and journals.

She is a member of Aosdana and lives near Straffan, Co.Kildare.

Poetry Weekend Programme

Inniskeen - How to get here

M1 Dublin to South Dundalk
Follow the Carrickmacross R178 for approximately 5 miles. At Channonrock junction (Conlon’s pub) turn right for Inniskeen.

N2 from Dublin
Exit Carrickmacross. Left along R178 to Essexford. Left at Kelly’s pub for Inniskeen.

From Belfast to Dundalk bypass via Newry
Exit for Dundalk town centre. Follow the Carrickmacross R178 for approx. 5 miles. At Channonrock (Conlon’s pub) turn right for Inniskeen LP1140

Accommodation
Accommodation available in a variety of hotels and guesthouses in the Inniskeen and Carrickmacross areas.

Booking Information
Course Fee €120
The price includes all tuition, lunch and refreshments.
Accommodation can be arranged in local quality B&B’s. A separate charge will apply.
All payments should be made in Euro.
A non-refundable deposit of €50 applies to all bookings accompanied by the booking form below.

Click here to download a booking form >>
Form opens in PDF format

For further information please contact

Patrick Kavanagh Centre, Inniskeen, Co Monaghan
Tel: 042 9378560
Email: infoatpkc@eircom.net

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