Over the Edge etc

Just back from a busy two days in Galway - busy but very enjoyable. The Over the Edge on Thursday evening was great. A very large crowd in the library to hear Kate Ennals, Alvy Carragher and myself read our work.

In fact Alvy performed her poems and did so very impressively. Her material was great and the delivery excellent, making it an extremely hard act to follow.

Fifteen minutes is the perfect length of time to read I have decided. It's short enough to make you choose your poems very carefully, plan everything to the second and avoid digressions. I read a mixture, some from Asking for Directions and more recent ones, including one just finished.

Kevin Higgins was a great compere and the audience, over 60 I think, was very responsive as you expect from a Galway audience. The fact that the library closes at eight o'clock concentrates all the readers. The open mic was, as usual, great with a fantastic variety of material.

Late evening I attended the launch of the latest issue of Crannóg and the presentation of the WOW! Awards. The Crane Bar is a more intimate venue and the upstairs room was crowded. Again great readings. Crannóg 35 is a fine production, congratulations to the editorial board, Ger Burke, Sandra Bunting, Jarlath Fahy and Tony O'Dwyer.

James Harrold, Galway City arts officer, presented the WOW! 2014 awards and the anthology was on sale and can be purchased on the website. Congratulations to the WOW Award winners and runners up. Full list is on on the Wordsonthe page website.