Donegal woman, Annemarie Ní Churreáin is Kerry County Council’s recent appointee to the post of Writer in Residence.
A poet and writer of creative non-fiction essays, Annemarie’s work is primarily concerned with the fragility and complexity of human relationships.
The council has for many years, had writers in residence in Kerry. The writer works with groups and communities throughout the county.
Professional writers have a long history of activity in the county, working to support new talent as they discover it.
Community Group Projects
They have worked with community groups, on special projects and publications, with schools and arts venues and at the same time finding inspiration in Kerry to develop their own personal work.
This year Kerry County Council announced that the trustees of Muckross House and the National Parks and Wildlife Service have joined with the council and the Arts Council to support the artist’s residency programme.
This has resulted in the provision of two cottages on the Muckross Estate as artists’ accommodation. This beautiful setting will no doubt provide plenty of inspiration for creative work with the community.
Fluent Irish Speaker
Ms. Ní Churreáin is a fluent Irish speaker who is looking forward to exploring the marks of history and mythology in the Kerry landscape.
In addition to her work with communities and individuals, Annemarie will be touring sheelagh-na-gigs, soaking up the Dark Sky Reserve and looking at the story of Queen Scotia – daughter of an Egyptian Pharoah said to have died in battle in Kerry and be buried in Tralee.
During this residency, Annemarie is working towards a new series of poems which explores the theme of female mythological characters in dialogue with Ireland today.
She will also run a series of structured and themed workshops with students, poets and creative thinkers, encouraging confidence especially among young people, supporting them to start composing, editing and sharing their own poems.
Meet in Public Spaces
Annemarie wants to engage with the wider Kerry community and work with a wide variety of groups, meeting people across a range of public spaces; in libraries, bookshops, healthcare settings, in hospitals as well as community centres.
“Wherever a group congregates there is a possibility to explore poetry as a tool that inspires, influences and provokes,” said Annemarie.
Kerry County Council Arts Officer, Kate Kennelly said she is delighted to have Annemarie on board and knows that she will help people to easily connect with writing.
Exciting Work Programme
“There is a very exciting 20 week work programme ahead. We are encouraging writers, bookshops, groups, communities and schools to make contact with us so that we can facilitate access to our Writer In Residence,” said Ms. Kennelly.
Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, John Sheahan also welcomed the appointment:
“Kerry County Council wishes Annemarie every success and we look forward to the months ahead working with her,” said Mr. Sheahan.
Annemarie can be contacted at writer@kerrycoco.ie
About Annemarie Ní Churreáin
Annemarie Ní Churreáin is a poet from North West Donegal. She has been awarded literary fellowships by Akademie Schloss Solitude, Germany; Jack Kerouac House, Florida and Hawthornden Castle, Scotland.
In 2016 she was presented with a Next Generation Artists Award by President Michael D. Higgins on behalf of the Arts Council.
Annemarie is a co-founder of the multi-disciplinary arts collective Upstart. In 2017, she was appointed to the Writers In Prisons Panel co-funded by the Arts Council and the Department of Justice, Equality and Reform and administered by the Prison Education Service.
In October 2017 her poetry collection BLOODROOT will be published by Doire Press.
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