Belfast Launch of "Next to Nothing" by Chris Agee

The Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry & Salt Publishing (Cambridge, England) cordially invite you to the Belfast launch of

Next to Nothing
by Chris Agee

Thursday, 29 October, 2009 at 7.00 pm

The Visitors Centre,
QUB See attached invitation.
 
I R I S H P A G E S
A Journal of Contemporary Writing
 
The Linen Hall Library
17 Donegall Square North
Belfast BT1 5GB
Telephone: ++ 44(0)28 90434800
Email: irishpages@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.irishpages.org   
 
Chris Agee is published by Salt Publishing, Cambridge, England
www.saltpublishing.com
Email: sales@saltpublishing.com

Anne Enright Opens Some Blind Alleys

Congratulations to Greg Baxter and all involved with the online journal Some Blind Alleys!

Friday night saw the long-anticipated launch of the website, which drew a diverse crowd down one of Dublin's own dark little alleys in Stoneybatter. The venue mirrored the website perfectly; raw and real; a sparse gallery space where the work on the walls spoke for itself.

Highlights of the event included an official opening by Anne Enright, who graciously clambered up onto a large box in her skirt and heels to start the proceedings. Anne praised the quality of the new work she had seen on the site, both written and visual, and shared her insight on what makes a good editor- an individual capable of opening up an intellectual space for a writer to fill.

She was followed by three gripping new pieces, written and read by the winners of the Some Blind Alleys' 2009 Writing Competition in the categories Short Story, Translation and Essay. The Coin Machine by Cathy Sweeney was a hard, uncompromising tale of bare flesh and poverty. The Crooked Hat by Kurt Tucholsky was translated by Nora Butler, who read the gentle piece with equal softness. And finally the essay entitled My Obsession with End Stations by Susan Leahy, wryly exposed the often hollow existence of a person posted abroad. Susan herself began writing in the Beginners' Creative Writing class at the Irish Writers' Centre and is now scribbling her own unique mark on a currently fluid and refreshing Irish writing scene.

The winning pieces can be read on the website: www.someblindalleys.com

Windows Publications Launch at The Irish Writers' Centre

Windows Publications launched the ninth book in their Authors & Artists Introduction Series last night at the Irish Writers’ Centre. Readers included contributing poets Michael Farry, David Rowell, Honor Duff and Nollaig Rowan. Musical entertainment was provided by singer songwriter Michael O’ Brien, from Cavan.


Michael Farry


Honor Duff


Nollaig Rowan (On left)


David Rowell


Michael O' Brien

Poets Heather Brett and Noel Monahan edit the Cavan-based publication, which puts an emphasis on the emerging writer. Writers such as Joe Woods, Catriona Clutterbuck, Nessa O’ Mahony, Grace Wells and Mary Medec have all been published in previous Windows Introductions. For further information on Windows Publications: www.windowspublications.com

Benefit Readings at The Irish Writers' Centre

We are delighted to announce our upcoming series of benefit readings by leading writers. All proceeds will go towards The Irish Writers' Centre. There will be three readings in Irish hosted by Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill and three in English hosted by John F Deane. All readings will start at 7.30 pm.


Thursday 8th October - Irish
Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, Pádraig Ó Snodaigh, Aifric Mac Aodha

Thursday 22nd October - English
Gerard Smyth, Claire Kilroy, Padraig J Daly

Thursday 5th November - Irish
Gabriel Rosenstock, Paddy Bushe, Seán Mac Mathúna

Thursday 19th November - English Gala Reading*
Seamus Heaney, John Banville

Thursday 3rd December - Irish
Áine Ní Ghlinn, Gréagóir Ó Dúill, Celia de Fréine

Thursday 10th December - English
Peter Sirr, Enda Wylie, Hugo Hamilton

To Reserve Seats -
By phone:(01)8721302
In person: Between 10.00am and 6.00pm Monday to Saturday – 19 Parnell Square, D1.
Online: www.writerscentre.ie

Each reading is €10, except the *Gala Reading on 19 November, which is €50.