August At The Edge Cavan

At the Edge is a regular reading series organised by Kate Ennals with assistance from Cavan Arts Office. It is held in Cavan Library on Tuesday evenings at 6.30. 

It has build up a dedicated and knowledable audience many of whom also participate in the Open Mic which follows the readings.

There are usually two or three featured readers, well-know poets or prose writers, and the list of those who have read there is impressive.

Last evening, 27 August the new season started with a well-attended and most enjoyable event featuring four writers. Kate Ennals, the organiser, introduced the readers as "neighbours" coming as they did from neighbouring counties.

The writers were Glen Wilson, Jackie Gorman, Anthony J Quinn and Jessamine O’Connor, poets apart from crime writer Anthony who confessed to really wanting to be a poet. His crime writing does have a lyrical touch about it, in spite of the dark deeds he narrates.

The poetry was great, as was the delivery and the audience really appreciated the variety of subject matter and tone. Well done to all concerned!

Keep an eye on Kate Ennals Facebook page for details of the next reading.

Bailieborough Poetry Festival 2018

Another very successful and well-attended poetry festival in Bailieborough, the sixth consecutive celebration of poetry here which opened opened with a collaboration between artist Ruth McDonnell and LitLab writing group. The exhibition and festival were officially opened by Iggy McGovern.

Poets Brendan McCann and Enda Wyley read on Friday night and enthralled the audience. An open mic  followed.

Saturday morning had workshops by Enda Wyley and AnneMarie Ní Churreáin.

The afternoon saw the Irish Writers Centre launch their Poetry master class series. The launch included a reading by Noel Monahan who is one of the tutors.

Then Noel, the Bailieborough Poetry Competition judge, announced the result. Winners were:
1st ‘Shannon of the Eye’ Jane Burn, Co. Durham; 2nd ‘Illuminated Manuscript Trinity College Library 2016’ Glen Wilson, Co. Armagh; 3rd ‘Gently Pulling Two Pieces of Poorly Glued Paper Apart’ Jamie Stedmond, Co Dublin.

The festival concluded on Saturday evening with readings by PJ Kennedy and Annemarie Ní Churreáin which were enjoyed by the large audience in Murtagh's lounge.