Tag: Maynooth University

Exhibitions, Writing Festival, Writing Workshops

Brigid’s Worlds

Photograph of some items in the Brigid’s Worlds Conference Goodie Bag: Brigid 1500 Cross Pin, Brigid Chocolate, details of the Medieval Irish History Podcast, Conference Programme

It was a joy to attend the Brigid’s World Conference in Maynooth University this weekend. The conference explored – as the title says – the many worlds of Brigid, conversion, land and living, textual and material evidence of Brigid, ecclesiastical patronage, the cult of Brigid among other themes. Through the five sessions over two days in the atmospheric Renehan Hall, the conference gave attendees a glimpse into the rich and varied research into Brigid’s Worlds that is ongoing in academic institutions around the world.

It was also a great opportunity to re-connect with others interested in and fascinated by the world of Brigid in this, the 1500th anniversary of her recorded death.

Slide from Tiago Veloso Silva’s fascinating talk on “Women’s ecclesiastical patronage: the case of Kildare”
Dr Sharon Greene’s talk on “Traces of Brigid’s Material World” was a fascinating look into the 6th century lived life through an archeological lens.
Slide from Dr Sharon Greene’s talk – bone damage and wear/tear brought on by daily activities: heavy cattle, sitting weaving, herding cattle….

Congratulations to Dr Niamh Wycherley and all at the Department of Early Irish and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, and to Brigid 1500 / Kildare County Council for a wonderful conference. For more details on speakers and conference presentations see the CONFERENCE WEBSITE

Collaboration, Writer Interview, Writing Life

#TwoTalk2: Creative Writing, Teaching and Learning

I was delighted to be featured on the Irish Universities Association #TwoTalk2 Series. This is a video series developed by the Irish Universities Association where Director General Jim Miley talks to a guest for two minutes.

Jim asks me about teaching creative writing and Mantles (Arlen House, 2021).

#TwoTalk2 Director General Jim Miley interviews me for 2 minutes about teaching creative writing in Maynooth University and my collaboration with Margo McNulty, Mantles.
Exhibitions, Writers with Artists

Illuminations – An Inspirational New Exhibition

Every artist knows that to kick-start the creative process there’s nothing better than to spend some time with an art form that is different from the one you practice. The Departments of English and Media Studies at Maynooth University have a wonderful exhibition space in the Iontas building entitled Illuminations and their latest exhibition Form Ever Follows Function opened last week and runs until March 8, 2019.

Form Ever Follows Function cover

Curated by Patrick Chapman, Christodoulos Makris and Dimitra Xidous, it’s a multimedia collaboration between editors of and contributors to the innovative journals Gorse and The Pickled Body.  Form Ever Follows Function – a question so many of us struggle with – is the ‘story’ in the form it needs to breathe? Or should it be a novel? or a poem? Or, for this narrative, do we need to begin with form, a photograph, a poem, a recital….

I am always fascinated by the process of visual artists and the video Etching in Memoriam by Ria Czerniak-LeBov and Fiona Brennan was spectacular. Exploring the act of film making, etching, memory and how information is found, as well as ‘showing’ the viewer some of the techniques and processes involved in etching on copper, the Q&A at the launch only confirmed my multi-layered experience of watching the video. Highly recommended.20190206_185425

I’m always interested in the in-between so the Scottish poet Clare Archibald’s installation Memories of Contort really spoke to me.Sean Hayes & Michael Naghten Shanks’s The Art of Friendship and Imogen Reid’s from text to textile gave lots of pause for thought. Pictured below Patrick Chapman of The Pickled Body and writer Sara Mullen in front of Kimberly Campanello’s poetry audio track which was really moving.

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Below: Red ribbon from The Pickled Body and a selection of their covers. 20190206_175822

For more information see