To mark the 10th anniversary of the death of John McGahern, a symposium takes place at Saint Patrick’s College Drumcondra next Thursday and Friday. Many of the foremost McGahern critics will assess the legacy of one of Ireland’s foremost prose writers. Highlights include an appreciation by the author Donal Ryan, a photographic exhibition by Paul Butler and a scene adaptation for stage from one of his short stories. Declan Kiberd will also launch the latest study of McGahern’s work, by Stanley van der Ziel.
A public lecture by the McGahern scholar Denis Sampson will also take place next Wednesday, at 7pm, in the Hardiman Research Building at NUI Galway. Sampson produced the first full-length study of McGahern's works, Outstaring Nature's Eye, in 1993, and Young John McGahern: Becoming a Novelist in 2012. The lecture will be accompanied by an exhibition of material from NUIG's McGahern Archive and is free to all.
Another late great, Frank McCourt, is to be honoured by his native and adopted cities when the University of Limerick launches its New York Summer School in Creative Writing in honour of the author of Angela's Ashes.
As a curtain-raiser UL and the Irish Arts Centre in New York will present An Evening for Frank McCourt, at the centre, on June 24th, featuring Gabriel Byrne, Jean Butler, Paul Muldoon, Maeve Higgins, Pierce Turner, Joseph O’Connor and others. July’s summer school will be led by the novelist and Frank McCourt professor of creative writing, Joseph O’Connor. In addition to workshops and lectures, it will feature music by Martin Hayes.
O'Connor says: "2016 sees the 20th anniversary of the publication of Frank McCourt's masterpiece, Angela's Ashes, a book that became a success all over the world, shedding light on the unique relationship between Ireland and the United States, specifically between Limerick and New York. Frank's tale of two cities was translated into dozens of languages, stirring recognitions for millions of readers. We at UL's new creative-writing programme wished to honour him and his achievement, in this special year, bringing together his two great loves: teaching and writing."
More than 80 events will take place next Thursday to mark Poetry Day Ireland. Highlights include Readings from Everything to Play For: 99 Poems about Sport, sponsored by Croke Park and held at the ground. Other events include Peter Duffy's performance of Patrick Kavanagh's poem The Great Hunger at the Dock (Carrick on Shannon); Claire Keegan at the Courthouse Arts Centre (Tinahely); Breda Wall Ryan at King's House (Boyle); Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin and Louis Mulcahy at Féile na Bealtaine (Dingle); and a Poetry NI showcase reading at the Book Reserve (Belfast). See poetryday.ie for full details.
Beatlebone by Kevin Barry has been shortlisted for the £10,000 James Tait Black fiction prize.
If Adrian McKinty could be considered one of the usual suspects to be longlisted for the gloriously named Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award, Lisa McInerney by contrast would have to be regarded as a sleeper. Her debut novel, The Glorious Heresies, last month's Irish Times Book Club pick, has also been shortlisted for the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction, alongside Anne Enright's The Green Road, and longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize. But the Theakstons longlisting confirms The Glorious Heresies is that rare gem a literary thriller. The winner, to be announced on July 21st, will receive £3,000 and an engraved handmade beer barrel provided by Theakstons Old Peculier. What odds her winning the Absolut Vodka Nobel Prize for Literature in 2036? At this rate McInerney's debut round must be imminent.
