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Éigse Michael Hartnett

Overview and Events Timetable

April 14th to April 16th

Newcastle West, Co Limerick

Éigse Michael Hartnett Poetry, Arts and Literary festival 2011 is an exciting and wide ranging festival of literary and arts events that vibrantly celebrate the life and work of Newcastle West's most famous son, poet Michael Hartnett (1941 – 1999). Moving to the earlier date this year of April 14th to 16th, in order to make way for Easter happening the following week, the Éigse programme sprawls across the town of Newcastle West. On a casual walk through the town in the month leading up to the festival, one finds town's people stopping to read Michael Hartnett's poetry writ large in the shop windows, pubs and business premises. There is a sense that everyday life is colliding with poetry and Éigse.

This becomes very obvious when one sees the extensive fringe events that are happening in schools, on the street, in the local hospital and library. The dynamic duo Eoin and Moley O'Súilleabháin of the high energy group Size2Shoes have been working with various groups in the lead up to the festival including residents of Rathfredagh Cheshire Home, transition year students and 6th class in Courtenay Boys School. Dance, rap, poetry and song as a result of these residencies will be on show in the two special events 'Day Dream Believers' on Friday and 'Hartnett UnRapped' on Saturday at the unveiling of the Michael Hartnett Sculpture. And this is not mentioning interactive drama with Carnation Theatre Company and readings and workshops and much more.

Spirit and imagination are at the heart of this year programme which is a weave of Irish and international poets, writers, singers and storytellers. We are delighted to welcome to the festival some of Irelands leading poets including Jo Slade, Theo Dorgan and the 2011 Hartnett Poetry Award Winner Peter Sirr. Spirited debate is bound to ensue on Fergus Finlay's keynote address on Thursday evening on 'Reimagining and Reinventing Ireland' and Fintan O'Toole broadcaster and commentator, is sure to challenge as he launches Gabriel Fitzmaurice's latest book 'Poems of Faith and Doubt.'

The festival also this year boast its share of international poets with renowned American poet Fanny Howe reading on the Friday night. Fanny is no stranger to Ireland as she is a regular guest at the local Benedictine Monastery, Glenstal Abbey. Fanny will be reading with Jo Slade and their reading will be accompanied in song by Juliet Turner. In the latter years of his life, Michael Hartnett wrote the haunting poem Sibelius in Silence. Anyone who was fortunate enough to hear Nuala O'Faolain at the 2007 Éigse will remember Nuala describing how she 'discovered this poem and its significance'. This year, we remember Hartnett, we remember Nuala O Faolain and we remember Sibelius as our County Limerick Youth Choir performs a choral interpretation of 'Sibelius in Silence.' The choral work is selected by the youth choir director Maire Keary Scanlan and will include some Sibelius pieces that are rarely performed.

Saturday morning opens with the Hartnett Memorial Lecture which has been delivered in previous years by Fintan O'Toole, Paul Durcan and as mentioned, Nuala O'Faolain. The excitement is now building for the 2011 lecture which will be delivered by poet and extraordinary speaker David Whyte. The intriguing title of his lecture timetabled from 11am to 1.00pm is 'Walking With Ireland Through the Dark Wood.'

Michael Hartnett was one of Ireland's most highly regarded poets of the 20th century and much loved. To commemorate Michael Hartnett, poet and man, Newcastle West Community Council has commissioned a life size sculpture in bronze created by artist Rory Breslin. On Saturday afternoon, Hartnett's beloved friend and fellow poet Paul Durcan will unveil the sculpture in the presence of Michael Hartnett's family, fellow poets and many friends. Directly after this ceremony the Hartnett Viva Voce will commence with poets vying to read their own work and win a purse of €300. This event also features a purse of €100 for the best read Hartnett poem.

The final poetry reading of the evening has a lovely symmetry to the afternoon event when poet and great friend of Hartnett's, Theo Dorgan reads with David Whyte. They will be accompanied in song Brian Kennedy.

The door to Éigse Michael Hartnett Poetry, Literary & Arts Festival 2011will close in lively fashion when Paddy McElligott will perform Brendan's Kennelly's humorous poem sequence 'Moloney Up and At It' at an informal open gathering where audience and guests mingle, with songs and poems are at the ready.

Festival News

Size2Shoes entertain at a local Newcastle West school in the lead up to Éigse Michael Hartnett 2011

Paul Durcan, Brian Kennedy, Joan MacKernan, Theo Dorgan and David Whyte enjoying an evening at Éigse Michal Hartnett 2011

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