Big Turn-out for Book Project Launch

national | arts and media | news report Saturday December 05, 2009 17:22 by Fred Johnston - Western Writers' Centre - Ionad Scribhneoirí Chaitlin Maude, Gaillimhe westernwriters at eircom dot net Canavan House, Nuns Island, Galway 087.2178138

Western Writers' Centre and Bus Éireann book on view

A project top have three Irish-language poets give their impressions of Galway, sponsored by one of a series of awards from Bus Éireann and Foras Na Gaeilge is launched in Galway City Museum

Colette Nic Aodha, poet, with poet Seosaimh O Guairim and Cllr. Catherine Connolly, who launched the book

Poets Colette Nic Aodha, Seosaimh O Guairim and Ailbhe Ni Gearbuigh created three poems which gave their impression of Galway city; these were placed in a specially-designd book by Sabine Springer and the project was launched this evening in Galway City Museum by Cllr Catherine Connolly. The poets read from their work and Bus Éireann were also represented.

The book was then presented to the Museum's director, Breandán Ó hEaghra, and will be put on display in the museum foyer. Among those attending were poet Rita Ann Higgins, Alan Titley, artist Dolores Lynn and other writers.

The Western Writers' Centre has shown a consistent dedication over it's eight-year run so far towards the Irish language and Irish literature, with readings and workshops as well as launchings and festivals. This has been consistently recognised by Irish-language groups and agencies; but not the Arts Council, who withdrew their Programme Grant in 2008, ironically, just as the Centre received the Bus Éireann award.