Centre for Creative Practices

From civil rights to Amatsu, Nell McCafferty and Katie Donovan will inspire, confront and leave little out in this night of reading and discussion.

	Nell McCafferty is an Irish journalist, playwright, civil rights campaigner and feminist. In her journalistic work she has written for The Irish Press, The Irish Times, The Sunday Tribune and Hot Press and The Village Voice. McCafferty was born in Derry. It was her career in journalism, commentating on Northern Irish life and Republican politics that brought her to public fame, and her outspoken attitudes on abortion, sexuality, feminism and contraception earned her a certain amount of notoriety. In over 30 years as a public commentator whose views on social change, the Irish identity and society are frequently sought, she is one of Ireland's most familiar, respected and controversial journalists. The Irish Times describes Nell as having a “distinctive voice, both written and spoken, that has a powerful and provocative place in Irish society."

	Katie Donovan was born in 1962 and spent her youth on a farm near Camolin in Co. Wexford. She studied at Trinity College Dublin and at the University of California at Berkeley. She spent a year teaching English in Hungary, 1987 – 1988. She moved back to Dublin where she worked for “The Irish Times” for 13 years as a journalist in the Features Dept. She qualified as an Amatsu practitioner (a form of Japanese osteopathy) and now combines this work with part-time lecturing in Creative Writing at IADT, Dun Laoghaire. She has two children, Phoebe and Felix. She has published three books of poetry, all with Bloodaxe Books, UK. Her first, “Watermelon Man” appeared to acclaim in 1993. Her second, “Entering the Mare”, was published in 1997; and her third, “Day of the Dead”, in 2002. Her next book, “Rootling: New and Selected Poems” is forthcoming from Bloodaxe (2010).

	Stephen James Smith OK on to me..... please read this without thinking I am trying to talk through my hole, I don't hold this 'achievements' in too high esteem, for me there real moments of poetry are sharing with someone new and grabbing their attention or hearing a new voice and cutting through to your guts. (mind you I probably sound even more pretentious wanker now after that waffle!) I guess I hold them highly enough though to play the poetry game, shame on me! Awards: I am the current Cúirt Literary Grand Slam Champion 2009 & 3rd in 2008: http://www.galwayartscentre.ie/cuirt/literature.html I won the 'peoples choice' in the I am a Lagan tour, where I preformed alongside Buddy Wakefield, Katie Wirsing & Andrea Gibson. Runner up in the All Ireland Final 2008 at The White House Limerick I was a finalist in the Festival of World Culture 2008 BBC 4 Radio Slam All Ireland Finalist 2007 where represented Leinster. Book: My first book will be out in the not too distant future titled 'Pretending to be Happy?' which is being publishe with The Galway based publisher, Maverick Press: http://www.myspace.com/maverickpress they have publishe 5 poets so far those being: Dave Lordan, Stephen Murray, Mags Treanor, Elane Feeney & Neil McCarthy. America: I have had my poetry included on an American University Syllabus (along with Tupac!) and have been involved with lectures to the professors and students in the creative writing classes. Recently I have been included in an Irish Literary course for my recitals of Yeat's Poetry. Schools: I worked with Youth Speaks Ireland last year, where I conducted poetry workshops with TY students around the country, and I am still doing this. I have been also asked to do workshops in prisons and hope to do some of these next year. Radio: I have been on several radio show previously including, RTÉ Radio1’s Arts Show Arena 88-90FM: http://www.rte.ie/radio1/arena/ Newstalk 106-108FM: http://www.newstalk.ie/ Near 90.3FM: http://www.near.ie/ South Dublin 93.9FM: http://www.dublinsouthfm.ie/ Liffey Sounds 96.4FM: http://www.liffeysoundfm.ie/ Radio Tallaght 99.1FM: http://www.radiotallaght.com/ Festivals: I have been part of the Electric Picnic since 2007 where I did a set in The Word tent in '07 &'08, this year I got asked by Dermot Bolger to recite in the Literary Stage alongside Irvine Welsh. I ran the Spoken Word Stage at The Festival of World Culture 2009 and took The Glór Sessions to The Redline Roots Festival this year and have been speaking to the E.P. about have a stage there next year. I was invited to the invitational only Vilenica Literary Festival in Slovenia the year, where my poetry was translated into Slovenian and I got to recite alongside to of the big cheeses from around the world. Other festivals I have been part of: Knockanstockan, Mantua, Shakefest, I have recited in, London, Amsterdam, Slovenia and all over Ireland; I will be heading to the big apple in the new year and will be doing some talks in universities in NYC, Boston, and Washington D.C.

IN THE WRITE LIGHT

IN THE WRITE LIGHT is the creative writing holiday that invites you to de-stress, unblock, release and create. Our unique programme delivers a holistic approach to the writing process by focussing equally on participant’s mental and physical vitality. Set in the beautiful town of Tarifa, on Spain’s Costa de la Luz, this five-day holiday offers writers the chance to work with experienced tutors in a relaxed informal environment. As ever, in 2010 we promise unique workshops with Mia Gallagher and Nell McCafferty.

For more information about IN THE WRITE LIGHT click here>>

Tickets - €5 Members €7.50 Non members
Please feel free to bring your own refreshments!!