Poetry Weekend 2009
Saturday 25th - Sunday 26th April 2009

‘Who knows that art’s a kind of fun?
That all true poems laugh inwardly
Out of grief-born intensity.’

From Prelude By Patrick Kavanagh

Introduction
The Patrick Kavanagh Centre is the venue for this weekend of poetry workshops in which acclaimed poet and author, Desmond Egan, will direct participants.

The Centre, which is dedicated to Patrick Kavanagh, one of Ireland’s best loved poets is located in the picturesque and tranquil village of Inniskeen which nestles among the Monaghan drumlins. Over the centuries, this ancient landscape has been an inspiration for legends and a home to poets and proved to be such a rich source of inspiration for Patrick Kavanagh, prompting him to ‘dabble in verse’. The locale
hasn’t changed since Kavanagh’s time, providing the perfect backdrop for this weekend of literary activity.

This weekend course is suitable for both beginners and those who have written some poetry. If you are a poet, please bring along one or two poems which can be read and discussed by the class and by the Director, in a positive spirit.

From this will emerge some suggestions i.e. mistakes to avoid or lines to develop. Over the course of the workshops, various tips for writing will be given.

The workshop will provide a vocabulary and place for the critical evaluation of participants’ work in a progress-oriented way Finally, there will be a topic and Class exercise in writing. A reading list will also be suggested.

WORKSHOP DIRECTOR: Desmond Egan
Athlone born, Desmond Egan, is a full time writer living and working near Newbridge in Co. Kildare. To date, he has published twenty three Collections of Poetry: two of Prose and two Translations of Greek Plays.

Collections of his Poetry, in translation, have appeared in book form in: France (5); Germany (2); Japan; China; Italy (4); Greece; Netherlands; Poland; Luxembourg; Croatia; Spain; Czech Republic (2); Hungary; Russia; Bulgaria - all, in duallanguage format.

Two critical Studies of his Poetry have been published in the U.S.A by leading scholars: Hugh Kenner and Brian Arkins; and a Documentary DVD has recently been brought out in USA for PBS Television.

His poem, PEACE was adopted as part of a celebration of Peace for the Millennium and was translated into 35 languages. (He may be seen reading this poem on You Tube at an International Poetry Festival in South America).

Awards: National Poetry Foundation of USA Award 1983. Chicago Haymarket Literary Award, 1987. The Farrell Prize, 1988. Osaka University (Japan) Citation, 1986. Pilgrims Progress Prize, 1983. The Bologna Literary Award, 1988. Macedonian Poetry Award 2004. Honorary Doctorate: Washburn University, USA, 1996. Macedonian Poetry Prize, 2004. Prix de Livre Insulaire 2005, Salon International de Livre Insulaire Ile d’Oeussant, Bretagne.

Booking Information
Course Fee €100
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 >>
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For further information please contact

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

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