Poets and Dreamers Launch on Sunday Afternoon

Members of the Scríbhneoiri Sliabh Luachra Writers' Group preparing for their first launch:  Seated:  Bernadette Ni Riada, Beaufort; Jimmy Cullinane, Cordal; Rose Riordan, Currans; Ann Kiely, Ardagh; Tayla Forseca, Abbeyfeale; Frank Kevins,  Currans; Sharon Fitzgerald, Hanah O'Connor and Madeline O'Connor, Abbeyfeale; James Flynn,  Tralee and Tommy Frank O'Connor, tutor. Back from left: Winifred Greaney,  Knocknagoshel; Donal Fitzgerald, Knocknaboul, Anna  Brosnan, Castleisland; Anne Coffey, Knocknagoshel; Patricia Horgan, Kilcummin; Mary Casey,  Glenflesk; Cait Curtain, Knocknagoshel; Fiona Roche, Kilcummin; Bridie Garvey, Killarney and Anne McCarthy, Newcastle West. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Members of the Scríbhneoiri Sliabh Luachra Writers’ Group preparing for their first launch: Seated: Bernadette Ni Riada, Beaufort; Jimmy Cullinane, Cordal; Rose Riordan, Currans; Ann Kiely, Ardagh; Tayla Forseca, Abbeyfeale; Frank Kevins, Currans; Sharon Fitzgerald, Hanah O’Connor and Madeline O’Connor, Abbeyfeale; James Flynn, Tralee and Tommy Frank O’Connor, tutor. Back from left: Winifred Greaney, Knocknagoshel; Donal Fitzgerald, Knocknaboul, Anna Brosnan, Castleisland; Anne Coffey, Knocknagoshel; Patricia Horgan, Kilcummin; Mary Casey, Glenflesk; Cait Curtain, Knocknagoshel; Fiona Roche, Kilcummin; Bridie Garvey, Killarney and Anne McCarthy, Newcastle West. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Scriobhneoirí Sliabh Luachra Writers’ Group will launch its first collection in book form at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland on Sunday, May 24th from 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
The aptly named Poets and Dreamers is a celebration of a few years of tuition and honing of craft under the experienced writer’s eye of Tommy Frank O’Connor.

Purple Pumpkin

The publication has come to fruition in conjunction with the Cand Purple Pumpkin Publishing.
“In October 2011 a creative writers’ workshop was funded by Kerry County Council Arts Officer, Kate Kennelly and was held at the Castleisland Library. The workshop was led by writer, poet, historian and novelist, Tommy Frank O’Connor as he was the Kerry County Council’s Writer in Residence,” said group spokesperson, Bridie Garvey.

Encouragement and Motivation
“Through the encouragement and motivation of Tommy Frank, the Sliabh Luachra Writers’ Group was born. The group members contacted Michelle Ann Houlihan of the Kerry Education Training Board and support and funding was provided under the auspices of the community
education programme.
They met regularly at the Scartaglin Heritage Centre until 2013. Due to the increased membership it moved to the North & East Kerry Development buildings in Castleisland. Members and tutor have been meeting in the NEKD offices twice a month from October through May.

Varying Ages and Backgrounds
“We can now boasts a membership of  35 writers of varying ages and backgrounds. The majority of the members are living in the Sliabh Luachra area.  It is without a doubt that the success and growth of the group has been through the encouragement and positive support of each other and the inspirational coaching and feedback from Tommy Frank,” said Bridie.

Incredible Journey
“This book has been an incredible journey. With up to twenty four of the writers contributing to the publication we are proud of the fact that we are now about to be published for the first time. That’s a great, shared excitement for the members. The book is also a first for the recently founded Purple Pumpkin Publishing,” Bridie concluded.
For more information email sliabhluachrawritersgroup@gmail.com