"By Endurance We Conquer"
Creative Writing with Mary Russell

Background

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 20 th century.

The Endurance expedition 1914-1916 has become one of the greatest epics of human survival, while Shackleton has become famous for his triumphs of honesty and humanitarianism.

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 the Ernest Shackleton Autumn School, Kildare Library
and Arts Service will host a series of writer’s workshops countywide in
September/ October 2002. The workshops, facilitated by Mary Russell
will examine themes of travel, exploration and endurance.

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Background - Workshop Director - Programme - Venues - Booking

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