Paradise Lost Reading

Friday 14 December starting at 10am 

Trinity College Dublin presents a reading of Paradise Lost aid of the National Council for the Blind of Ireland  

featuring including Seamus Heaney, Harry Clifton, Gerald Dawe, Seamus Heaney, Dave Lordan, Thomas Luxon, Iggy McGovern, Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, David Norris, Michael O'Loughlin, Nessa O'Mahony, Eve Patten, Patrick Prendergast, Gerard Smyth, Joseph Woods, Macdara Woods and many more.

Graduate Memorial Building, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2

IPYPIASM

Yes, it's that time of year again. And again I am a little late starting. Time is creeping on. Others are well on in their plans. Others have planned already and prepared. And as the lesser of the two instigators, I am honor bound to paticipate. But never fear, I am up to the task.

It's International Put Your Poem In A Shop Month.

(And Ireland are falling behind!)

Come on peeps. Write it, Put It, Photo it and Post it.

This year Titus has graciously volunteered to host. See here for a much better description about it.

So here's mine.

I was in London at the weekend and I was struck how friendly people were. Friendlier than I was used to. I'm wondering if it is the Olympics spirit that has kept on. When I was in Trafalgar Square, there was a lovely carol concert for the volunteers.

Since the Olympics

Now's the time for festive cheer
but London's friendly all the year
since last July it's our good luck
the volunteer spirit stuck.

I wrote it on a napkin from Pret a Manger and left it in said establishment in London City Airport.

So I don't know where Titus wants to count it!
I'm English.
I left it in England
I was going to Ireland.
I blog in Ireland.

 Decisions.

Teaching Creativity Course

Teaching Creativity Teaching Creativity is an innovative new course in which anyone interested in becoming a teacher of Creative Writing can acquire the fundamental skills and inspiration to do so.

The module will be taught by poet Dave Lordan on behalf of The Irish Centre for Poetry Studies at the Mater Dei Institute, and will cover the teaching of creative writing in primary, secondary, adult and community contexts, areas in which he has acquired an abundance of experience over the years.

As well as boosting the CVs of participants and enhancing their teaching abilities, it will also provide specific opportunities for particular groups of people: Qualified teachers will discover new inspiration for the integration of creativity into the design and delivery of curriculum, as well as how to design a short course in creative writing, enabling a confident response to the increased emphasis on creativity in the Junior Cert, for example. Community educators and youth workers will be able to develop the potential for incorporating creativity into their work. Writers, both aspiring and established, can develop the skills that will enable them to do creative teaching work that will complement their craft.

Participants will be asked to produce a short course and lesson plans. A certificate will be issued to all participants.

The course can also be taken for credit as part of MDI’s Masters in Poetry Studies, as long as an expanded assessment piece is presented.

The module will be taught over four Saturdays at the Mater Dei Institute: January 19th, February 2nd, March 9th and April 13th.
Sessions will run from 9.45a.m- 12.45p.m.

The course fee is 200 euro.

The module co-ordinator, Michael Hinds, is happy to answer any enquiries:michael.hinds@materdei.dcu.ie www.davelordanwriter.com

Strokestown International Poetry Award

I have never got anywhere with this competition though I've sent them some of my very best stuff. I wonder are the submissions pre-selected? I'm not bitter. No. No.

The Strokestown International Poetry Award is awarded for a poem in English not exceeding 70 lines, has a first prize of €3000, a second prize of €1500 and a third prize of €1000.

The judges this year are Iggy McGovern and Michael Schmidt for English. for Duais Cholmcille, Caoimhín Mac Giolla Leith; and for the inaugural Percy French Prize for Comic Verse, Eleanor Tiernan

Deadline: January 25th 2013
 
For more information, click here.

Gifts for Writers

Wondering what to get the writer in your life for Christmas? Or for me? Here's some ideas.

A beautiful notebook    

and a lovely pen or pencil

A Booker Prize winning book (or three)
Chocolates for inspiration or a word game or both together

A literary mug for tea. Also suitable for coffee, hot chocolate...
A Kindle

A really good book for your Kindle.

A really good dinky little poetry book

Poetry Ireland Introductions

The Poetry Ireland Introduction Series aims to showcase emerging talent by offering a paid, public reading to poets workingtowards a first collection, and with a track record of publication injournals and magazines.

To apply for the Introductions series in Spring 2013, send no more than ten pages of poems and a short biographical note emphasising publication credits to: Introductions, Poetry Ireland, 32 Kildare St, D2

Deadline: Monday 7 January 2013.

This year Doghouse Books in Co Kerry has agreed to read (without commitment from publisher or poet) the shortlisted Introductions readers, with a view to publishing one full collection within the following year.

***Jealous

Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope : A night of Music and Poetry
Featuring: Maya Homburger on violin, Barry Guy on double bass, Siobhan Armstrong on Harp, Benjamin Dwyer on Guitar, and Lucas Niggli on percussion, with poetry by Paul Perry

Curated by Maya Homburger and Barry Guy
The Odessa Cluib, 13 Dame Court, Dublin 2.
Wednesday December 5th, 2012. Doors @ 8.30pm, Music @ 9pm.

Tickets available from the Odessa Club on 016703080 - priced €10 (including €2 booking fee).

Kaleidoscope night, described by the Irish Times “one of those life-saving, spirit-lifting, pioneering Cultural Ventures we keep hearing about” brings a vibrant, dynamic musical experience to audiences and performers. Innovative and imaginative programming offers a diverse range of music from ancient to contemporary and experimental in a relaxed, intimate and beautiful setting.