KINVARA, GALWAY GIG

Saturday the 16th of January finds me in Kinvara in the company of writers Paul McVeigh, Sarah Clancy and Lisa McInerney. We're doing a reading for local charity KAVA - Kinvara Are Visual Arts. Our event kicks off at  7.30pm on Saturday 16th January in the Courthouse. Admission €10 (Kava members €5) includes refreshments.

Earlier that day Paul Mc Veigh is giving a writing workshop. See below. There are still places available.

ARTISTIC ATLAS LAUNCH, READINGS AND TRIPS

Atlas inventor Liam Duffy - pages from the book behind him

Sometimes I get lazy and refuse to carry my proper camera to events. I bring my little camera which is light but fairly mediocre, it has to be said. Anyhoo, I was lazy yesterday so herewith a few mediocre pics from the Artistic Atlas of Galway launch last night in the Dominican Hall in the Claddagh. It was great - Sarah Clancy gave a rousing speech on the importance of the arts to Galway. She reminded me of why I first came to live in in Galway by saying it has always been one of those places where it feels like anything might happen and often does.

The Atlas itself is a thing of beauty - my poem is accompanied by a stunning photo of train tracks from John Lawless. All the writers I spoke to were thrilled with the quality of the production.

There were readings, Mexican food, wine and shots. There were writers and a hall chockful of beautiful art (exhib runs all week). All this week writers featured in the Atlas will read at 6pm. Myself and New York based Irish writer Seamus Scanlon read together on Friday at 6pm. The Atlas is for sale at the hall and also online here.

In the meantime I am off to Belfast to hear a paper on my novel YOU from Spanish academic Marisol Morales Ladrón at an Irish Studies Conference. Accompanying me on my trip will be Gerard Stembridge's new novel, The Effect of Her, which I will review on Arena next Monday. I can't wait to get stuck in.

Helen Freeburn and Mary Mullen at the launch

Artwork on exhib by Sylvia Gryczuk

Jimi McDonnell reading

Sarah Clancy launching the Atlas

Artwork 'The Chase' by Aran Young

BVM candle

HAPPY WOMEN'S CHRISTMAS

It is Women's Christmas today in Ireland - Oíche Nollag na mBan. (So why am I the one slaving over the removal of all things Christmassy from the house, I ask myself? Hmmm.) Anyway, the Irish Writers' Centre are hosting a reading and music with some fine Irish women artists to mark the day. I wish I was going but I can't. Details:

Oíche Nollag na mBan

This year The Irish Writers' Centre , in association with Dublin City Council Arts Office, invite you to celebrate Oíche Nollaig na mBan a little differently. Whether you want to listen to some of Ireland’s finest writers, celebrate an age-old Irish tradition, or you’re just glad the 12th Day of Christmas has finally come about – join us in the Irish Writers' Centre, Parnell Square Nth., Friday January 6th  at 6pm for an early  evening of prose, poetry, spoken word and music in the company of

Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill

Celia De Fréine

Mary O’Donnell

Éilis Ní Dhuibhne

Mia Gallagher

Sarah Clancy

and musicians Jane Hughes & Ellen Cranitch