Castlebar - County Mayo - Second Annual Claremorris Literary Festival

Writing Festival to Open With Humour

The second annual Claremorris Literary Festival opens on Friday September 26th. and organisers, local writing group, The Mayo Writers Block, promise a humorous start with 'Happy Hour.' Happy Hour is an open mic session where visiting writers will read or perform their work. The only stipulation is that the piece has to be funny. Anyone interested in taking part is invited to attend on the night. Bring along your funniest pieces to Claremorris Library and share the fun. The event is sponsored by the McWilliam Park Hotel and a prize of a mid week break in the hotel will be awarded to whomever the audience on the night decide gave them the most enjoyment. Workshop facilitators, Susan Millar DuMars and Helen Falconer, will both read on the night also.

Workshops

The Festival programme includes workshops on Saturday, Sept 27th, on Short Fiction and Poetry.

Short Fiction with Helen Falconer 10-4 Clár IRD Ballyhaunis Rd Claremorris Saturday 27th September

Novelist Helen Falconer was born and brought up in London. She was educated at Camden School for Girls, Dartington School, Devon, and St. Anne's College, Oxford. She works as a book reviewer for the Guardian newspaper.

Her first novel, Primrose Hill, the story of a group of North London teenagers, was published in 1999. Her second, Sky High: A Novel (2003), depicts love, sex and violence in a forbidden relationship set against an urban landscape.

Poetry with Susan Millar DuMars Dalton Inn Hotel 10-4 Saturday 27th September

Susan Millar DuMars is an American born writer living in Galway. Her first collection of poems, Big Pink Umbrella, was published by Salmon in April, 2008. A mini-collection of her short stories, titled American Girls, was published by Lapwing in 2007. Susan and her husband teach creative writing, and organise the Over the Edge literary events that take place in Galway

Each workshop costs €25 and money with name and contact details must to sent to: Mayo Writers Block, c/o Clár IRD, Ballyhaunis Rd, Claremorris, Co Mayo. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Booking essential.

Information on the festival is available on the website www.mayowriters.org or by calling Margaret 087 958 2004 or John 0879843900. Booking for the workshops cannot be taken over the phone, as they must be accompanied by the relevant fee to be considered for a place. MWB wish to thank the following for their support of the event; Mayo County Council, The McWilliam Park Hotel. The Dalton Inn, Clár IRD.

Bookings To: Mayo Writers Block, C/o Clár IRD, Ballyhaunis Rd, Claremorris, Co Mayo.