Cúirt International Festival of Literature

The 22nd Cúirt International Festival of Literature in Galway will take place from Tuesday 24th - Sunday 29th April 2007.


The programme for 2007 was unveiled recently.

On 25 April, the prose masterclass will be hosted by MJ Hyland, who was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize for Carry Me Down.

The poetry masterclass will be hosted by Bostonian writer Nick Flynn on 27 April, and poet Brendan Cleary will host the performance poetry masterclass on the same day.

Pete Mullineaux will be MC for the fifth annual Cúirt International Festival of Literature Poetry Grand Slam with guest performer/judge Brendan Cleary.

The full schedule of readings, events and masterclasses is available here

Over the Edge Reading in Galway City Library

The next Over The Edge: Open Reading takes place in Galway City Library, St. Augustine Street, Galway on Thursday, March 29th, 6.30-8pm. The Featured Readers are Michael Gorman, and four members of the Dark Gate Writers Group, Sean Donegan, Margaret Cullagh, Bernadette Tierney & Donal Grehan.

Michael Gorman was born in Sligo and educated at Summerhill College and University College Galway. His poetry collections include Postcards from Galway, Waiting for the Sky to fall and Up She Flew. One of his poems, The People I Grew Up With Were Afraid, was chosen by Pauline McLynn for inclusion in the anthology, Voices and Poetry of Ireland. He teaches poetry on the MA in Writing at NUI Galway. Michael Gorman is a hugely charismatic reader of his work; his readings are everything a good poetry reading should be.

Sean Donegan has published poems in Poetry Ireland Review, Time Haiku and the anthology, The Backyards of Heaven. A selection of his haiku will appear in an anthology to be published by Pillar Press, Kilkenny next year. He is a member of The Dark Gate Writers Group.

Margaret Cullagh is originally from Tipperary, but currently lives in Galway. She is the facilitator of The Dark Gate Writers Group. She is a writer and creative writing tutor and has read her work at both the Westside Arts Festival and the Project 06 Festival.

Bernadette Tierney is a Galway native. She was a volunteer worker for many years with the Simon Community. Her poems have appeared in Riposte. She is a member of The Dark Gate Writers Group.

Donal Grehan is originally from Mountmellick in Co. Laois and has been living in Galway for 20years. He writes poetry and short stories. His poems have been published in Bealtaine. He is a member of The Dark Gate Writers Group.

As usual there will be an open-mic when the Featured Readers have finished. This is open to anyone who has a poem or story to share. New readers are always especially welcome. The MC for the evening will be Susan Millar DuMars. For further details contact 087-6431748

More Galway events in Library Ireland Week

Here are further events taking place during Library Ireland Week in libraries throughout County Galway.

Galway City Library
Tuesday 6th March 10am – 12am. Exhibition of Ceramic Work by local VTOS Students.The students will demonstrate glass painting

Tuesday 6th March 11.30 – 12.30. John Quinn, well known author of The Summer of Lily and Esme and other titles will talk to students.

Wednesday 7th March & 8pm. International Women’s Day will be marked by Amnesty International, public discussion on "Trafficking Violates Women’s Rights". Diarmuid Hogan, NUI Galway will chair the discussion.

Thursday 8th March ‘6.30. Fred Johnson, Writer and Manager of the Western Writers Centre will talk on the Uses and Abuses of Literary Workshops.

Friday 9th March @ 7 pm. Dermot Healy, Author of A Goat’s Song and The Bend for Home will read from his work.


Loughrea Library
Tuesday 6th March @8pm. Jo McDonagh, past President of the GAA will talk on the history of the GAA.

Tuesday 13th March 8.30. Concert of Choirs

Sunday 4th March @ 8pm. Maynooth Guitar Ensemble


Ballinasloe Library
Monday, March 12th @8pm. A lecture on the Battle Of Aughrim by Dr. Harman Murtagh.This is the 7th in a series of 9 lectures organized by the Historical and Archaeological Society of Uí-Mháine during the winter months.

Márta 6-17. Taispeántas éalaine ó réamhscoileanna an cheanntair le haghaidh Seachtain na Gaeilge agus Lá'L Pádraig

Europe Direct Centre open days for adults and children...call in and see how the Europe Direct Centre works, access the Europa website, browse through our selection of brochures and leaflets.

Galway events in Library Ireland Week

Here are some more events taking place in Galway Public Libraries during Library Ireland Week.

Clifden Library
5th – 10th March. Exhibition of Art and Craft Work by Local Artists

Thursday 8th March at 8pm. Holistic Health : Enjoy a cup of herbal tea and a chat with Terry Conroy An Bhean Feasa Health Store.


Saturday 10th @ 12am. Pet Care: Maureen Finneran from Animal Rescue will give a talk on pet care.

Athenry Library
Wednesday 7th March @ 8pm. Explore the mystery and benefits of Acupuncture with Mitra Rahmani a licensed acupuncturist from China.
Sarah Toward-Choi a qualified and experienced Iyengar Yoga Teacher will talk about Yoga.

Roundstone Library
Saturday 10th March 2pm. Fancy Dress Parade; All children are invited to dress up as their favourite book character.

Eyrecourt Library
Thursday 8th March. A Handbook for Local Community Heritage Groups will be launched by Cllr Michael Mullins, Mayor of the County of Galway, @ 7pm

Oranmore Library
1st – 10th March. People and Nature Photographic Exhibition ( Images of Galway)

Thursday 8th March. Biodiversity in County Galway; Elaine O’Riordan, Project Manager, will talk on the subject @ 7pm

Library Ireland Week 2007 in Galway

Library Ireland Week 2007 takes place from 5th to 11th March.
The Week celebrates and highlights the role of libraries, librarians and information professionals.

During the week various events will be taking place in libraries throughout County Galway. Details of which will be posted here over the next few days.


Tuam Library
Tuesday 6th March. Mime and Mask Workshop with Midi Corcoran 10-11 & 11.15-12.15

Wednesday 7th march. Library Open Day : all are invited to the Library, to browse, learn, have a cup of tea and a chat. Toddler group also meeting in the Library in the morning.

Friday 9th March. Galway City and County Childcare Committee and Galway County Libraries Toy Resource Project will be launched at 5pm by Mr. Frank Fahey, T.D., Minister of State, Dept of Justice and Law Reform.

Friday 16th march. To celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge:
Irish Drama Workshops with Priscilla; 10.00-11.00 & 11.15 – 12.15


Headford Library
Wednesday 7th March. Elaine O’Riordan will talk on Biodiversity and
Dolores Keane will talk on Organic Gardening

Thursday 8th March. Gordan Darcy, Celebrated environmentalist and author will give two workshops looking at aspects of the local environment. 10.00 – 12.30pm


Westside Library
Tuesday 6th March @ 6.30pm. A night with Stan - the story behind the pictures of Stan Shield’s recently published book of photographs – Stan’s Galway.

Wednesday 7th March @ 6.30 pm. A night of Classical Music – a Quartet playing a mix of classical favourites.


Portumna Library
Thursday 8th March at 7pm. Launch of Exhibition of Paintings by Local Artists. 5th – 10th March.

Monday 5th March @ 7.30. Talk and Demonstration on Holistic Health and Complementary Therapies with Trish and Rachel.

Wednesday 7th March @ 7.30pm. Library Reading Group Open Meeting