Boyne Readings: Tom French and James Lawless

The Co Meath based poet, Tom French, will be one of the featured readers at the Boyne Readings and Open Mic in Trim next week.

Tom lives in Laytown and works in Navan in the Local Studies Division of the Meath County Library Service.

The Trim readings, which are organised by the Boyne Writers Group, will take place on Thursday, 19th November, in The Village Hall of the Knightsbridge Retirement Village, Longwood Road, starting at 8pm. Visitors are very welcome.

The other featured reader will be James Lawless, a novelist/poet/playwright who lives in Co Kildare.

Tom French is a popular figure in Meath literary circles. A native of Co Kilkenny, he came to public attention in 1999 when he received a Bursary in Literature from The Arts Council, and his work was awarded the inaugural Ted McNulty Prize. His first collection of poetry, Touching the Bones, was published in 2001 by the prestigious Gallery Press, Oldcastle, and won the Forward Prize for First Collection, 2002. His second collection, The Fire Step, was published last month, also by Gallery Press.

James Lawless is a Dubliner living in Co Kildare. His first novel was Peeling Oranges, published in 2007 by Killynon House Books, Mullingar. He has had numerous award-winning short stories and poems published and broadcast in Ireland and the UK. His story Jolt was shortlisted for the Willenden Prize. His other awards include the Scintilla Welsh Open Poetry competition in 2002 and the Cecil Day Lewis Play Award 2005 for What Are Neighbours For? James has had two books published this year: Clearing The Tangled Wood: Poetry as a way of seeing the world, and a novel, For Love of Anna.

The Boyne Readings and Open Mic sessions are held on the third Thursday of the month. Anyone who would like to read their own material at any of the sessions is very welcome.

“And where would we be without listeners?” asked Boyne Writers Group chairman Paddy Smith. “Whether you wish to read or not, you are very welcome at our sessions. We are the only regular Open Mic session in Co Meath.”

The sessions have been attracting up to 35 people. Admission to the Boyne Readings and Open Mic is €5, which includes tea/coffee and biscuits. Enquiries to Paddy Smith 086 1577526 or Michael Farry 086 8283314.