Events

If it’s another Wednesday, it must be Bantry

Karen J McDonnell
West Cork Sunset
©Karen J McDonnell

I’ll be hoping for evenings like this next week when I head to Bantry – the lovely town situated between the Beara and Sheeps Head peninsulas.

I’ve been to the West Cork Literary Festival several times as part of the audience. This time – HUZZAH!! – I’m going as one of their featured writers. 

WCLF brochure. Artwork by William Crozier

I can’t wait to be there. WCLF is one of those events that has everything: a great line-up, a wonderful bunch of volunteers, a superb location, and a fantastic hinterland to explore when you get a bit of time off. If the weather is good – well, that’s a bonus.

I will be chatting to Eibhear Walshe, and reading from This Little World, at 11.30am in the Bantry Bookshop next Wednesday, 19 July. Thanks to Margaret and her staff for having us. If any of you are down for the Festival – please come, and say Hello!

This gets to be a bit of a working holiday for me. I’m taking an extra night off so that I can take in as much of the other writers’ events as possible. Lucky me.

We’re due a write-up about the whole book thing. Life in the book lane has been pretty fast and furious this past month. And, real life has also got in the way – as it does. I think time to regroup is in order; then I promise a ‘daycent’ sit-down-with-a-cuppa post over on the Writer’s Blog.

In the meantime – enjoy the summer, my lovelies. And if you want to purchase This Little World, please visit www.doirepress.com where Lisa & John will be only too happy to sell you a copy!

Cover for This Little World
© Karen J McDonnell & Doire Press

If it’s Tuesday … it must be Limerick

Karen J McDonnell

Loveens!!

Pass it on to any friends or rellies in the Limerick area:

On Tuesday 4 July 2017 I’ll be reading from This Little World at the ‘On the Nail Literary Gathering’ hosted by the Limerick Writers’ Centre.

Venue: Chez le Fab Café at Arthur’s Quay       Time: 8pm

I will be reading with Terry McDonagh, and signing copies of THE BOOK, of course!!

And don’t forget … there’s an Open Mic afterwards, so bring some writing or music of your own to entertain us all.  Many thanks to Dominic Taylor for the invitation. Chuffed to have been asked to do the gig.

‘This Little World’ – Freebie!!

Karen J McDonnell

 

Cover for This Little World
© Karen J McDonnell & Doire Press

This Midsummer’s Eve, I’m celebrating the launch of my poetry collection, ‘This Little World’  – published by Doire Press.

You can buy the book at Charlie Byrne’s and Kenny’s bookshops in Galway, or online from http://www.doirepress.com

Just comment below and I’ll pull two names out of the hat on July 1st.

One of you will get a copy of the book, the other will get this (very) limited edition book tote bag.

Launching This Little World

Karen J McDonnell

Well, Launch Day is almost upon us!

The house elves in Doire Press and Ballyvaughan have been busy: organising wine, glasses, a lectern and – in my case – sorting out what to wear, Darlings!

You are invited!

It’s been an amazing few months: chock-full of poet-type angst, comradeship at Annaghmakerrig, excitement at being chosen by Doire Press, worry that I wouldn’t make the grade, delight in signing the contract. It was thrilling to see the proofs appear on the desktop; even more so to tear open the envelope and hold the first copy of my debut collection in my hands.

This Little World – my precious!

So now is the time to celebrate with Lisa and John from Doire Press, and with my family and kind, loyal friends. I’m extremely grateful to writer & poet Celeste Augé for launching This Little World into the wider world. Apart from the speeches, there will be wine, and a bit of poeting. Mostly though, PARRRTAAAAY!!!

If you happen to be in Galway on Saturday, don’t just stand there peeking through the window, or standing in the doorway. Come in and join us!

You’ll be so welcome.

The Eldest V

Karen J McDonnell

Last weekend was spent in the company of dear friends in London.

The timing was deliberate: Una & Mairead treated me to a visit to the Vanessa Bell exhibition.

20170501_135850.jpg I’ve a long lasting fascination with the Bloomsbury set. I’ve played Vita Sackville -West & Virginia Woolf, so I’ve read a lot written by and about them. But I’ve always had an affection for Vanessa – the other Stephen girl.

So it was wonderful to head to Dulwich on a sunny April day and take in what is the most comprehensive solo exhibition of her work since her death in 1961.

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The range of work is wonderful: from still lives to landscapes; abstract to portraits.

Also included are designs she worked on with Duncan Grant, family photos, and letters – such as the one above written to Roger Fry in 1914.

And – of particular interest to this fan of the Two Vs – the dust jackets designed for the Hogarth Press:

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The exhibition runs until 4 June. The Dulwich Gallery is set in lovely leafy grounds, with outdoor seating and great coffee. You could spend a day away from the city mayhem in an oasis of flowering calm, and visit Vanessa at the same time.

Go on, treat yourself.

Civil Protest in Hungary

Karen J McDonnell

There are so many troubles in the world and so many loud voices of state trying to muffle, or murder, legitimate protest.

Protest in Budapest 12 April 2017. Photo by Zoltan Balogh (MTI via AP) From Washington Post site.

In parts of eastern Europe, the Right has been gaining steadily; especially in Hungary. This is disturbing, and also sad when we consider that the permitted movement of other nationalities through Hungary helped to contribute to the fall of the Berlin Wall. Now Orban’s Hungary is shutting down dissent, borders, and institutions dedicated to independent thinking.

The EU must act decisively. NOW.

I’m glad to be a signatory of this letter of protest along with many others:

https://www.pressreader.com/uk/the-guardian/20170413/281887298173789

Many thanks to poet George Szirtes for organising this letter, and for his consistent commitment to highlighting events taking place in the land of his birth. Köszönöm, George.

Our Mike

Karen J McDonnell

The great, the good, and the former students are gathered in NUI Galway this stormy evening.

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All to pay tribute to writer Mike McCormack. 20170222_190149

I was lucky to have Mike as a teacher a few years ago. Tonight some of his former students will read along with him.

Mike, comhghairdeas, g’wan you good thing ya!

– A fan.

 

 

A Reading According to the Poets

Karen J McDonnell

I’m really looking forward to tomorrow evening – 3rd February.

I’ll be reading at the Record Break Café in Ennis at the monthly poetry slot.

This time, I’m delighted to be joined by Limerick poet & playwright Mary Coll, who will be reading from her new collection, Silver. Join us for what promises to be a great evening. (We might even get a word or two of fiction out of Helena Close who is travelling from Limerick as well!)

Door open at 7.30pm with poetry is from 8-9pm, followed by music from Pele, a local musician – and a pal of my sister as it happens!

And remember, Sinéad makes great coffee & lovely treats!

FINALLY –  My poem ‘The High Road’ will be published this month in The Honest Ulsterman. It’s my first time being published in that fine journal so, thanks Greg!