President McAleese has officially taken over the role of Patron of Strokestown Park's famine museum, so the tradition of our First Ladies countering Queen Victoria's famous stinginess with their empathy continues. On the weekend of February 20th-22nd, John Waters, Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill, John F. Deane and Michael Harding will host workshops under the heading: "The Famine, The Irish Psyche and The Irish Writer". Writers and would-be writers can attend as day girls and boys or as borders.

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