Muckross House was the beautiful venue for the recent launch of a stunning new book Still In The Dreaming.
Leas-Cathaoirleach Cllr. John Joe Culloty launched the book while praising the quality of the poems and the dedication of the writers to their craft.
Writer in Residence
Last June a call-out for submissions to Kerry County Council’s writer in residence Annemarie Ní Churreáin, on social media, newspaper and radio as well as through the Arts Office’s own e-newsletter drew a huge response.
Sixteen poets were selected, and they worked with Annemarie to polish and hone their poems in preparation for publication.
List of Poets
These poets are: Barbara Derbyshire, Bernadette Ní Riada, Conor Cleary, Elizabeth Murtough, Faye Boland, John McGrath, Kevin Griffin, Lola Scollard, Lorraine Carey, Marian Relihan, Mary Lavery Carrig, Michael Joyce, Noel King, Paul Murphy, Philomena Hearne-nee Stack and Victoria Kennefick.
The workshops took place in Kerry County Museum and Annemarie has now overseen the editing and publication of these poems.
Title of the Book
‘I chose ‘Still In The Dreaming’ for the title of the book as a tribute to the late John Moriarty,’ she explains.
“John was a poet who was deeply inspired by nature and he described Kerry’s landscape as one that was still in the dreaming,” said Annemarie.
“These new poems all capture in their own way the deep connections of nature and nurture that Kerry people feel for the world and people around them,” said Kerry County Council arts officer, Kate Kennelly.
A Worthy Addition
“Each poem is a worthy addition to the treasure that is Kerry literature and the book is something to be proud of.
“The residency was supported by Kerry County Council, The Arts Council, The Trustees of Muckross House and Gardens, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Creative Ireland Kerry, and along with Kerry County Museum’s hosting of the workshops and Kerry Library hosting workshops also, reflects the strong support there is for writing in the county,”said Ms. Kennelly.
Programme Returns in March
The writer in residence programme will recommence in March 2019 and further details will be posted on @KerryCoArts on twitter and facebook and in the e-newsletter which can be subscribed to through Kerry County Council’s website.
Copies of Still In The Dreaming will be available to purchase on the night and can be bought for a limited time through the Arts Office at Kerry County Council. They will also be available for loan through Kerry Libraries.
About Annemarie Ní Churreáin
Annemarie is a poet from North West Donegal. She was awarded literary fellowships by Akademie Schloss Solitude in Germany; from the Jack Kerouac House in Florida and Hawthornden Castle (Scotland). Her work has been published in Poetry Ireland Review, The Shop Magazine of Poetry, The London Magazine (England’s oldest literary periodical), Agenda Poetry Journal and The Stinging Fly, a literary magazine published in Ireland.
Next Generation Artists Award
In 2016 Annemarie was the recipient of a Next Generation Artists Award from the Arts Council of Ireland. In 2017, Annemarie was appointed to the Writers in Prisons Panel co-funded by the Arts Council & the Department of Justice, Equality and Reform.
She is second place winner of the 2017 Red Line Festival Poetry Award. Bloodroot is her debut collection and is a tribute to strong women from Ireland’ s recent history.
It has received excellent literary acclaim since its publication in 2017. Annemarie is currently the inaugural recipient of the John Broderick writer’s residency by Westmeath County Council.
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