Kerry County Council Writer in Residence, Maire Holmes (left) pictured at her farewell night with: Joan Green and Ronnie Moore, Killarney and Caroline Lynch, Kerry County Council Arts Office at the Ivyleaf Art Centre in Castleisland on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
A section of the gathering at the Writer in Residence, Maire Holmes farewell night at the Ivy Art Centre in Castleisland on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Another group of writers at the Writer in Residence, Maire Holmes farewell night at the Ivy Art Centre in Castleisland on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
Kerry County Council Writer in Residence, Maire Holmes (left) pictured with: Jane Ovbude, Tralee; Kate Kennelly, Kerry County Council Arts Officer and Mayor of Killarney Municipal Area, Cllr. Bobby O’Connell at the Ivyleaf Art Centre on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
At the Kerry County Council Writer in Residence farewell gathering evening were: Jerome Stack, Ivyleaf Art Centre director; Bernadette O’Sullivan, Killarney; Aengus O’Dea, Tralee, Liz Ryan, Killarney and Mayor of Killarney Municipal Area, Cllr. Bobby O’Connell at the Ivyleaf Art Centre on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
At the Kerry County Council Writer in Residence farewell night were from left: Noel Keane, Ballymacelligott; Kevin Griffin, Killorglin, Noel King, Tralee and Mayor of Killarney Municipal Area, Cllr. Bobby O’Connell at the Ivyleaf Art Centre in Castleisland on Friday night. ©Photograph: John Reidy
The Ivyleaf Theatre hosted a special night of poetry, prose, song, drama and non-fiction last Friday night.
Report by Caroline Lynch, Kerry County Council Arts Office
Writers from all over Kerry gathered to bid farewell to Maire Holmes, Kerry County Council writer in residence (co-funded by the Arts Council). Mayor of the Killarney Municipal District, Cllr Bobby O’Connell, who opened thr night, said ‘The whole idea of the residency is to support writers by providing mentorship, guidance, advice and creative discussion’.
Writers groups present included Diverse Writers Group, KNIBS from Killorglin, Sliabh Luachra Writers Group, Seanchai Writers Group and writers from the Tralee Resource Centre. There were also individual writers present. All shared funny, thought provoking and bittersweet words with a warm and appreciative audience.
There was music provided by Ronnie Moore – guitar and song and and Joan Green – song.
Maire Holmes ended the night saying ‘The human voice has been telling stories, reciting poetry and singing songs here in Castleisland, and all round Kerry, for thousands of years. And it will continue to do so for thousands more!’
She thanked Kate Kennelly and the Arts Office staff of Kerry County Council for their support and Jerome Stack and Aidan Reidy for hosting the evening in the Ivyleaf Theatre.