reading – Karen J McDonnell

Project Management

June 3, 2023Karen J McDonnell

It’s always there, the admin. I’ve managed to load up all the photos from my phone and now was seems to be an everlasting task of sorting them is going on. That includes research and poetry events/publicity photos. Never. Ending.

It has been an interesting few months in terms of where the work is going. The last of the research trips to Dublin that were funded by the Arts Council of Ireland Agility Award took place in October. It coincided with the opening of a new exhibition at the Chester Beatty about early papyrii and texts. The First Fragments exhibition is still running and you can find more details here. The then head curator Kristine Rose-Beers took me on a tour, and then she and her colleagues welcomed me to their conservation room. Kristine has moved to a new position with Cambridge University. I’m so grateful to her for her hospitality at a busy time in the museum, and I wish her all the best with the new job. The conservation room visit ,in itself, has yielded a new poem!

I also revisited the Art of the Book gallery, which hosts a variety of treasures: old tablets and a stylus, Japanese and Chinese scrolls, early and mediaeval books, Durer prints, along with other 18th and 19th century prints, and many books. I have taken a LOT of photos as part of my research – purely to keep my memory working. There was time at the Silk Road Café – as always! – to take a break and make some immediate notes. Probably a third of the poetry collection has been sketched out; between my notes, photos and the online lectures from the Chester Beatty I have definitely enough material to see me through.

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Last autumn also saw the publication of Vital Signs, Poems of Illness and Healing, edited by Martin Dyar, and published by Poetry Ireland. It is the first time a poem of mine has been anthologised without my having submitted it, and I was chuffed to bits – especially when I saw the company I was keeping!

It’s a wonderful volume, and would make a great gift. There’s a fine selection of modern Irish poets and also poems from other countries and eras. Thanks to Martin for including my poem ‘My Grandfather Battles Death’, from my first collection This Little World. I travelled up for the launch in Dublin at Books Upstairs, and took part in a featured reading from the anthology in February this year at the University of Limerick with poets Victoria Kennefick, Eoin Devereux, writer Donal Ryan, and Martin Dyar. It was a lovely event, ably hosted by Eoin and supported by Liz Kelly, the director of Poetry Ireland.

The new year started in an interesting way. But that’s another story!

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Editor, Martin Dyar, speaking at the launch of Vital Signs

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Writing in the time of COVID19 & the Pendemic project

August 8, 2020August 8, 2020Karen J McDonnell

Four people, some of whom are writer buddies, began Pendemic as the impact of lockdown on our creative community became obvious. The online site went from strength to strength, and will wind up shortly.

All the contributions will find a permanent home, however. University College Dublin has decided to take the accumulation of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction that makes up Pendemic, and will archive the content.

I haven’t written a post here about COVID19 and the lockdown in the west of Ireland, though I did contribute to this article in the Irish Times during the first months.

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/health-family/loneliness-in-lockdown-i-ve-never-been-alone-for-so-long-in-my-life-1.4247483

I’ve found it difficult to summon up any energy for writing new work about these days. To be honest, enough people seemed to have no problem doing so, and I couldn’t see that I’d add anything to the existing columns!

One poem came to me, however, quite early one morning. It was during the quiet time, here in the Burren. Hardly any cars, no overhead jet trails. Wonderful weather. I could sit on the bench in the front garden in comfort; enjoying the sun and the views over Galway Bay. If a neighbour or someone from out the road cycling into the village passed by, there was time to stop for a socially-distanced chat – in the knowledge that a stream of holiday traffic on its way to the Cliffs of Moher wasn’t going to drown out the conversation, or beep at someone pulled up inconveniently in the middle of the road. To be honest, I miss that hush around the place. Especially as I write today, when the cars passing the door haven’t given me a moment’s peace. But that’s what you get when you live on the R67 in the height of summer!

So – the poem. One morning, in the quiet time, I heard a sound overhead. It took a wee bit longer to than usual to recognise that it was a Search & Rescue helicopter. Around here, it’s not a good sound to hear. Someone walker is injured in the Burren uplands, or there’s a medical emergency in the village, or someone has fallen – or jumped – from the Cliffs of Moher. That, quite simply, is where this poem came from. It was published in Pendemic, and you can read it here.

Lockdown, early morning by Karen J McDonnell

An ambulance has just whizzed by, sirens at full tilt.

But I’ll leave you with a few photos of the place at its loveliest; during the quiet time.

Image may contain: cloud, sky, ocean, outdoor, nature and water

Photo: Ballyvaughan, the old pier. ©Karen J McDonnell

Image may contain: cloud, sky, outdoor and nature

Photo: the approach to Ballyallaban. © Karen J McDonnell

This is where things are ‘normal’ for me. Sitting in the sun outside The Larder café: with a treat, a cup of Anam coffee, and a good book. That’s when it’s almost possible to believe that COVID19 isn’t lurking somewhere.

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Wear the mask. Wash the hands. Go easy on yourselves. Be kind.

Springing into action #Ennis Book Club Festival 2020

March 6, 2020Karen J McDonnell

Well, it’s hard to believe that another Ennis Book Club Festival is upon us – but it is!

The Seven Sisters poets are part of the programme again this year, and we will be reading in The Record Break Café – our home from poetry home – from 5pm on Saturday 7 March.

There were five of us scheduled – but Nicki is away, so you’ll have to make do with Ruth, Deirdre, Sinéad, and me.

We promise work in response to books, and other poems. I also hope to read some work from a few female poets: after all, Sunday is International Women’s Day!

We’ll be going for a while, so if you are free at 4pm, and want a balance of poetry and prose in your afternoon, may I suggest that you take in the gig below:

Hilary Fannin and Rachael English will be in conversation with Nessa O’Mahony, at St Columba’s Church on Bindon Street. No better women!

Then run up and join us in the Record Break Café for poetry. Sure, what more could you ask for?

Winter Poetry – warming the soul

November 17, 2019Karen J McDonnell

Hope some of you can join four of the seven sisters for an evening of poetry next Friday in the library in Shannon. Readings kick off at 7pm.

I’ll read some of my own work – but also other poets’ winter offerings.

Do come along for an evening of poetry, before the Christmas mayhem begins!

(Thanks to Ruth for the great poster!)

The Wonder Workshop – and a new precept!

November 13, 2019Karen J McDonnell

Prepping my Wonder workshop. Under supervision!

A few weeks ago, I was asked by Clare County Library would I give a poetry workshop based around the book Wonder by RJ Palacio. Halimah, a teacher from Ennistymon Vocational School, had approached them with the request.

At first, I was hesitant: writing poetry around another book? Would that be restrictive? How to cram a workshop around a few hundred pages when I’ve only got 90 minutes to do so? And I don’t have children. Wonder had slipped under my radar. I watched an interview with the author on youtube.

I told Dolores in the library service that I’d develop something around several themes, especially that of bullying. [Coincidentally, this week the call-in show on our national radio station is full of adults talking about bullying: their own or their children’s; even now-grown-up bullies who have sought out their childhood victims to apologise. These discussions and stories are happening while their children are in school.]

The other thing I said was that the children would have to have read the whole book!

Well, I needn’t have worried on that score. I soon learned from a Facebook post by Banner Books in Ennistymon that this was very much a community read. A ‘One Book, One Community’ project in fact.

The One Book, One Community has a programme of events around Wonder:
Readings with local primary schools
Poster competition with local primary schools
Ennistymon Vocational School afternoon tea book club on 13 November at the Falls Hotel & Spa
EVS Poetry workshop on 14 November [That would be me, I guess!]
EVS Coffee morning on 19 November
Wonder film showing at the Falls Hotel on 22 November to round off the whole project.

AND SO … tomorrow I head to Ennistymon to give two workshops to over forty First Years from Ennistymon Vocational School. It’s a couple of firsts for me: my first secondary-school poetry workshops, and the first time that I’ve specifically designed a workshop around a theme – let alone another genre of writing!

Thanks, Ennistymon and thanks, Clare County Library Service. It’s good to be pushed beyond our comfort zones. That’s today’s precept. I’m sure Auggie would approve.

Writers’ Christmas Party in Capital City

December 11, 2018Karen J McDonnell

. . . at least that’s what I’m calling it!

I’m off to Capital City in the morning to take part in this rather fab Christmas Staccato session. And I’m look forward to sitting back and listening to others as much as having the chance to read some of my own work.

I may bring along a Christmassy poem by someone else . . .

If you’re in town tomorrow, come along to Toner’s in Baggot Street. This promises to be a mighty evening!

Mine’s a hot port; I’m fighting the dreaded lurgy.

Another Month, Another Adventure!

November 1, 2018Karen J McDonnell

I’m looking forward to meeting up with friends and connecting with writers this weekend, at the Wexford Literary Festival.

I’ll be reading from my collection This Little World in one of the New Voices slots on Saturday afternoon, at the Riverside Hotel in Enniscorthy.

There are some fab events, for readers and writers alike. You can check out the whole programme by clicking here.

The trip ‘East’ is also giving me a chance to stay with a dear friend. So, after ‘work’ there’ll be time for a nice meal, drinkies, and a catch-up!

Books, poetry, writing, and friends.

What more could a gal ask for?

A Working Holiday: Bellaghy, Annaghmakerrig, AT the Edge

August 18, 2018Karen J McDonnell

It’s impossible not to feel that autumn is creeping in. Had to put on the woolly socks last night, and the light is dying in the western sky so much earlier these evenings. Even Bessa the cat is back sitting on my lap, or on her car mat in the sitting room!

Sanctuary! After a busy summer, I can’t wait to get back to the haven that awaits at Annaghmakerrig: a whole week to myself. And though it is a working week, it will be fantastic to have no distractions; to knuckle down to a steady period of writing. This stay will be interesting. No new collection to redraft or to edit and collate. A variety of focus: a poetry project with national school children to prepare, a radio brief, and then – only then – more poetry.

But first, to Bellaghy . . . … and the overnight stay that had to be abandoned a couple of years ago. Since then, the Home Place has been built, and I’m looking forward to my overnight visit. The poem ‘Grave Good’, in my collection This Little World was written about my first, flying trip to Bellaghy; made less than a year after Seamus Heaney died. This time around, I’ll be there just a few days before the fifth anniversary of his death. Hard to believe it’s been five years.

No rest for the wicked. While I’m up Ulster way, I’ll be reading on Tuesday 28 August at Cavan Library for AT the Edge – hosted by the indefatigable Kate Ennals. There are three AT the Edge sessions this year, so I’m chuffed to have been invited to take part in one of them. Tanya Farrelly and David Butler are motoring up from Bray, Co. Wicklow for the evening, and there’ll be an open mic also. Kick off is at 6.30pm.

If you happen to be in the neighbourhood, drop by!

#Poetry AND #Chocolate for Easter!

March 23, 2018March 23, 2018Karen J McDonnell

Loveens! Are you well?

And poetry lovers – did you have a nice World Poetry Day?

I’ve just been updating d’aul Writer’s CV. It never ends, the administration!

This time last year, I was working like mad on the final drafts of This Little World. It’s hard to believe that a year has gone by. And what a wonderful, creative, engaging year it has been! I’ll write a bit more about that soon.

Sold another book today – always a nice event. There are just ten books remaining here in my literary HQ. Doire Press have a couple, and there are also copies at the Ennis Bookshop. Easter is coming up. What could be better than chocolate for Easter? Poetry AND chocolate! Jus’ sayin’.

So, I’m still scribbling away. I’ve put up a few reading events on the website; if you can get to any of them, it would be lovely to see you. I’m reading with the Poetry Collective at the DeValera Library in Ennis, next Thursday. (The Library’s hosting lunchtime readings once a month.)

So, if you’re in Ennis doing the shopping, or just want a break from the office, why not come along and hear a variety of work at 1.00pm on 29 March.

If we don’t see you there – Happy Easter.

Remember … Poetry & Chocolate, Chocolate & Poetry!

‘This Little World’ – Made by the Blarney Chocolate Factory, Blarney, Co. Cork.

If it’s another Wednesday, it must be Bantry

July 14, 2017July 17, 2017Karen 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!