Showing Off Your Writing

This newsletter features open mics in a bookshop, a pub and some gardens.

SpeakEasy Is Tomorrow Night

As I write, there is a mere 24 hours to go until SpeakEasy, which is tomorrow night, Friday 23 May, at 8pm in Phil Grimes Pub. We've the Derry-born poet Mícheál McCann sharing his award-winning poetry and popular local musician Eoin Dalton will be supplying the tunes.

You're all welcome to take part in the open mic session, MCed by moi – what more could you ask for. Entry is €5 cash on the door. Hope to see you then.

Photo Description: This is a black and white picture of Mícheál McCann, our featured poet at SpeakEasy tomorrow night. He has dark hair, with a small moustache and beard.

RIP Paul Durcan

I am probably the wrong person to pay tribute to Paul Durcan as I wasn't familiar with his poetry. Though I do have a bizarre memory of my sixth-class teacher reciting the poem 'Making Love Outside Áras on Uachtaráin' with relish. But it's always sad to hear of another poetic light gone out. Feel free to share your memories and thoughts about Paul Durcan in the comments, or email derbhile@writewords.ie.

Speak Up Open Mic In A Bookshop

Meanwhile, Deborah and I have been busy cooking up plans for a Speak Up Open Mic. It's going to be in a delightfully cosy second-hand bookshop called Little Lane, which is in Spring Garden Alley, Waterford City. It's going to be on Thursday 5 June, 7-8pn. We ambushed owner Jim Reid one day and he said he was happy to host us.

We'll have wine and cordial available. If you pay €10, you'll get a glass of wine and if you pay €5, you'll get a glass of cordial. As the venue is very small, we're asking people to book and pay in advance. You can contact Deborah on 0832045116 or speakupwaterford@gmail.com to book, pay or ask questions.

Creative Activism Event In A Castle

Margaret O'Brien of Writing Changes Lives is a subscriber to this newsletter and has offered me great support of the years. So, I want to give a shout-out to her for an event she's organising at the 16th-century Ormonde Castle, Carrick on Suir, Co. Tipperary on Saturday 31 May.

The event is called Creative Activism Connections and features three powerful activists, who use their creative voices to bring about changes in the world. They are Rehan Ali from Pakistan, Joann Malone from the USA and Kathy Karn from Canada.

You can book to hear these speakers through the Tudor Artisan Hub on tudorartisanhub@gmail.com or contact Linda on 0862560609/051640921. Each event costs €5, or you can attend all three speakers for €10.

Register for the Gathering

Here's a gentle reminder that you can register for the writerly Gathering on Saturday 14 June at the Japanese Gardens, Tramore.