On The Town:There were hushed tones as the Long Room in the library of Trinity College in Dublin filled with those who love words. Among them were playwright Thomas Kinsella, poets Peter Fallonand Brendan Kennellyand writers Harry Cliftonand Deirdre Madden.
They came to salute the poet and lecturer, Gerald Dawe, on the publication of his new book, The Proper Word, Ireland, Poetry, Politics: Collected Criticism.
"There's a rigour to it, a calmness, a contemplative quality that is just lovely and which makes it really lovely to read," said writer, commentator and Irish Timescolumnist Fintan O'Toolewhen he launched the book. "It's particularly nice to find someone who is writing about his contemporaries.
That's incredibly difficult to do because it's such a little world . . . He has the ability to be absolutely clear about what he wants to say without being nasty, and giving praise without being sickly."
O'Toole said the collection of critical essays also showed "moral courage".
The book represents "over 20 years' worth of work", explained Dawe, adding that "it is almost like a history session". The publiished essays represent "a real desire to log a piece of Irish social/political history.
There's a huge sense of relief and a sense that a piece of my own history is over, that that's done now." Dawe, who is based in Trinity, where he is a lecturer in English and director of the Oscar Wilde Centre for Irish Writing, said the book is aimed at "people who are interested in poetry, at genuine readers".
Others who attended the launch included the book's publisher, David Gardiner, who runs Creighton Universtiy Press in Omaha, theatre director Patrick Mason,literary agent Jonathan Williams, Trinity's Prof Nicholas Grene, poets Dennis O'Driscoll, Julie O'Callaghan, Clairr O'Connor, Gerard Smythand Gerald Fanning, and James Murphy, director of the Irish Studies programme at Villanova University in Pennsylvania.
• The Proper Word, Ireland, Poetry, Politics: Collected Criticism, by Gerald Dawe, is published by Creighton University Press
Return of the great O'Neill
Was it the O'Neill himself in the flesh, come to remind us of his flight from Donegal in 1607? The beard, the high forehead, the sparkling eyes, the swept hilt rapier, the 17th-century thigh-high riding boots, the long woollen cloak complete with rain-soaked tassels and an elegant brocade and linen suit, comprising trews, waistcoat and doublet.
Dressed for the part, Boyd Rankin, of Irish Arms Historical Reproductions, became the great O'Neill for the launch of the Flight of the Earls anniversary programme at the Fáilte Ireland office on Dublin's Amiens Street.
The great story of the Flight of the Earls "is still very much in the minds of the people, it's part of who we are, and when we were growing up the story of O'Donnell and O'Neill was pro forma", said Mary Coughlan TD, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, when she launched the programme of events this week.
"The departure of the earls signified the end of the Gaelic order in Ireland and made way for the plantation of Ulster," said Richard Gibson, Donegal County Council programme co-ordinator. He listed a concert with Phil Coulter, a maritime festival later this month, an international conference in August, a week-long series of events taking place in Rathmullan in September and a re-enactment on the Jeanie Johnstontall ship, also in September, as some of the highlights of the programme, which will take place in Co Donegal to commemorate the historic event.
Among those who came to the launch were Minister of State Pat the Cope Gallagherand his wife, Ann Gillespie Gallagher; Cap Michael Coleman, of the Jeanie Johnstonship; Cllr Enda Bonner, mayor of Co Donegal; Éanna Mac Cuinneagáin, of Cathach Books in Dublin; and Fiona Gleeson, Fáilte Ireland's officer for festivals and cultural events.
• For information, go to www.flightoftheearls.ie
Top bids for cancer care
J ane Beattiebrought her hammer down on works by Charlie Whisker, Peter Collis RHA, Clea Van Der Grijn, John Noel Smith and Diana Copperwhite, who is the 2007 winner of the AIB Art Prize. These were just a few of the artists who donated their work to a charity auction in Dublin this week.
With up to 90 lots, the Handbags and Gladrags Charity Art Auction, at James Adam & Sons sale rooms, raised a total of €50,000, which will go to the Children's Cancer Fund at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin.
"We've relied on events such as these to develop the service," said the hospital's consultant oncologist, Dr Fin Breatnach. "I came back to Dublin from Great Ormond Street [in London] in 1981 and that was the beginning of the early days of specialised care for children with cancer. Up to a few months ago, the entire infrastructure was funded entirely by the Children's Cancer Fund."
Now, there is a database of 3,000 patients, Breatnach added. There are 150 new cases each year. Just before the bidding began, he encouraged buyers to be generous.
"I have no qualms about holding out my hands," he said.
"It's a fantastic cause," said artist Paul Kavanagh, whose work was also in the auction. "I'm delighted to take part."
Artist Louise Leahywas there to support the auction with her husband, property developer Bryan MacKeogh. Businessman James Lenehan, who is chairman of the Gladrags and Handbags organising committee (which has a number of other fundraising events planned for later this summer), said the charity initiative was set up four years ago by some friends of the young fashion designer, Sarah Henry, following her death from cancer.
"She was like a little sister to me," recalled publicist Sonya Reynolds, the committee member responsible for organising publicity for the auction.
• For information on upcoming Handbags and Gladrags charity events, go to www.handbagsandgladrags.ie
'Txts' on the lunchtime menu
Soup spoons stayed silent for the duration of Hue & Cry, by Deirdre Kinahan, when it had its world premiere in Bewley's Cafe Theatre in Dublin this week. The lunchtime play opened Txts, a season of three new plays by Irish women playwrights, presented by Tall Tales Theatre Company and Bewley's Cafe Theatre.
The production was attended by many from the theatre world, including actor Andrew Bennett, from Carherconlish, Co Limerick, who expects to be at the second replay between his county and Tipperary as they battle it out tomorrow in the Munster Hurling Championship semi-final. Bríd Dukes, director of the Civic Theatre in Tallaght, was there too, as were Iseult Golden, author of the upcoming Txtsplay, Fireworks, and Jim Culleton, of Fishamble Theatre Company. Other actors at the premiere included Paschal Friel, Neil Watkinsand James Flynn, as well as Dermot Magennis, Stewart Rocheand Olga Wehrly, all three of whom are in Red Light Winter, by Adam Rapp, at Dundrum's Mill Theatre, which closes tonight.
Also spotted in the audience was Veronica Coburn, a founding member of Barabbas, who is leaving as joint artistic director after 14 years with the theatre company, along with fellow company members Raymond Keaneand Tríona Ní Dhuibhir. Aswell as continuing with writing and directing, Coburn will be the new artist in residence at the Civic Theatre.
A season of plays by women writers "is a fantastic idea", said actor and director Michael James Ford.
"It's precisely what this venue should be about: new writing."
Ford, who is just back from Charleston in South Carolina, where he was performing in the Gate's production of The Constant Wife, is currently working on an adaptation by Declan Lynch of the novel The Rooms, with Arthur Riordan in the lead role.
• Hue & Cry, by Deirdre Kinahan, runs at Bewley's Cafe Theatre until Sat, July 7; Fireworks, by Iseult Golden, runs from Wed, July 11 to Sat, July 28; and Tic, by Elizabeth Moynihan, runs from Wed, Aug 1 to Sat, Aug 18