I attended the third and final launch of the Doghouse anthology Ten Years in the Doghouse yesterday in Stoker's Lodge, Tralee.
The afternoon started with a Poets' Corner celebrating the 21 years in existence of this group which holds a reading and open mic in Tralee every Bank Holiday. A large number attended and the event was expertly managed by M.C. Tommy Frank O'Connor, himself a Doghouse author.
Then the Doghouse launch. The celebration of ten very productive years turned into a wake when the chairman, Peter Keane, announced that Doghouse were ceasing publishing. This took the audience, many of whom have been published by Doghouse, by surprise but like an Irish wake, it turned into a celebration.
Doghouse have done a wonderful job, have published some beautiful books and have been an important publishing outlet for many Irish poets. Noel King has been a most diligent editor, a pleasure to work with. Doghouse will still be selling their books for some time so go to their website, look at their wares and make a purchase.
The anthology is especially good, containing a short selection from almost every poet published in the ten years of operation. I think eleven of those poets attended on Monday and read their poems. Well done Doghouse, you will be missed!
Pictures: Top: Noel King, Doghouse editor, displaying their range of titles. Below: Doghouse author, Áine Moynihan, reading at the launch with Noel King in pensive mood.
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2 comments:
Very sorry to hear that Doghouse has ceased to be. Some great poets down through the years. It was always an ambition of mine to get a collection published by them, though very early on, Noel told me he "couldn't possibly" publish me, which I thought was delightful. Still, I managed to get a poem in the Ballad anthology, so no regrets. All the best to Noel and many thanks for his tireless pursuit of publishing upcoming poets down through the years.
Such sad news Michael. Doghouse produced great quality work including your own fine collection. They will be missed by many. Best wishes to Noel for the future!
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