Kildare County Council Arts Service
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Creative Writing Workshops
Sir Ernest Shackleton the great polar explorer was born at Kilkea House, Athy, Co. Kildare in 1874. Shackleton was renowned for his courage, extraordinary leadership skills and his contribution to geographical discovery during the era of Antarctic exploration in the early years of the 20th century.
Writer Mary Russell’s approach to travel and exploration reflects the philosophy of Shackleton. Like Shackleton, her courage and interpersonal skills have seen her through many difficult situations. Mary Russell is a serious traveller. She has cycled through Syria, dog sledded through the Finnish Arctic and scrambled on her hands and knees across the Sahara. Like Shackleton, Russell’s physical journeys have been immense, but fundamentally, the inner journey interests her most.
To celebrate County Kildare’s association with Shackleton, and to coincide with Athy Library The Ernest Shackleton Autumn School, Kildare Library and Arts Service will host a series of creative writing workshops in libraries countywide in September/ October. The workshops, facilitated by Mary Russell will examine themes of travel, exploration and endurance. Journeys of a Lifetime by Mary Russell was published in June 2002. According to The Irish Times the book is ‘vivid, self- depreciating and often hilarious’.
For details contact Maynooth, Celbridge, Naas, Newbridge or Athy library, or the
arts service. Booking essential.
Ernest Shackleton Autumn School
The Ernest Shackleton Autumn School will run from the 24th to 27th October, 2002, in Athy. It involves both historical and artistic dimensions celebrating the life and work of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton who was born near Athy in 1874. This year the theme is Travel and Exploration with a range of lectures, musical and arts events and exhibition at Athy Heritage Centre.
Some of the highlights of the programme are a concert by Liam O’Flynn and the Pipers Call Band, St. Michael’s Parish Church, Athy. This concert will feature the premier of a piece of music (10- 12minutes in duration) composed by Liam O’Flynn entitled Endurance which was specially commissioned by Athy Heritage Centre and supported by the Arts Council of Ireland.
There will be a range of lectures featuring:
Dr. Jan Piggott, Archivist, Dulwich College (Shackleton’s former school)
Shackleton as Reader and Writer
Francis Spufford, Author.
Naas 045 – 879111 Shackleton’s World and the Passion for the Poles
Dr. Bob Headland Curator at the Scott Polar Research Institute
The Irish Role Played in Antarctic Exploration
Brendon Grunewald, Physicist.
Life on the Antarctic.
Aidan Dooley, Playwright.
Will perform his one-man show about Tom Crean. This show is an emotive account of the experiences of Crean who served both Scott and Shackleton in the Antarctic.
For further information contact Margaret O’Riordan, Manager, Athy Heritage Centre 0507- 33075
Cecil Day Lewis Short Story and Poetry Competition
Entries are invited for the annual Cecil Day Lewis Competition Short Story and Poetry competition. The competition, organised by Kildare Library and Arts Service and sponsored by Athy Town Council, celebrates the connection between the celebrated poet and the South Kildare area. C. D. Lewis was Professor of Poetry at Oxford from 1951 – 1956. A talented and humorous man, he wrote in An Italian Visit, parodies on poets ranging from Hardy to Dylan Thomas. His autobiography was published in 1960 and in 1966, he was created Poet Laureate.
Entries are invited in the following categories:
- Junior Primary Short Story
- Junior Primary Poetry
- Senior Primary Short Story
- Senior Primary Poetry
- Post Primary Short Story
- Post Primary Poetry
- Adult Short Story
- Adult Poetry
Further information and application forms are available from libraries countywide or from the arts service. Closing date for entries 31st October.
Ghoulish Tales
Well known author Terry Hassett Henry will read Witches and Wizards Tales to coincide with the latest Harry Potter film Chamber of Secrets. Come dressed as
Literature your favourite Harry Potter character !
