Seán Dunne literary WEEKEND

BOOK LAUNCH –
Derek Flynn
Friday 28th June – 6.30pm

Tramore wriiter and musician Derek Flynn will launch his new novel The Highway Kind as part of the Seán Dunne Literary Weekend in the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens, Tramore on Friday June 28 at 6.30pm.
Derek is a familiar figure in Tramore as one half of Theatre Vamps, the local theatre company who have produced many shows in the Coastguard Cultural Centre, including “The Life & Songs of Leonard Cohen” (nominated for Best Musical Show of 2023 in the Green Room Awards) and most recently, Stephen King’s classic story, “Misery”. The Highway Kind is Derek’s first collection of short stories, each story inspired by the music of other artists, including Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, and Lana Del Rey, amongst others.
At the launch, Derek will read extracts from the stories and perform some of the songs that inspired them. Entry is free and all are welcome for what promises to be a memorable evening in the beautiful surroundings of the Japanese Gardens.

FREE ENTRY TO GENERAL PUBLIC

A SACRED GEOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
with Lani O’Hanlon
Saturday, 29th June
10.30am to 12.30pm

 I crave the stillness of water
depth clear and surface sure.  
Sean Dunne

Join us for a meditative creative writing workshop with poet Lani O’ Hanlon in the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens for the Sean Dunne Literary Weekend.

In Japanese, the concept of ‘place’ encompasses not just physical locations, but also emotional and spiritual spaces. The Irish language also contains this spiritual geography and a sense of the sacred using ‘Tuatha/Tuath’, for ‘people’ and ‘place’.  In this meditative creative writing workshop we will take time to centre, slow down and become sensually aware of our inner Tuatha in relationship with the peaceful and serene gardens. Guided by gentle somatic prompts, myth, poetry and story, we will explore with notebooks and pens, working individually and as a group, gathering afterwards to share our writing.

Duration: 2 hours.
Please wear suitable clothes for outdoors.

PRICE: €25 (TICKETS LIMITED)

GATHERING OF WRITERS
Saturday 29th June – 2.30pm

Following the success of last year’s Literary Gathering in honour of Seán Dunne here at the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens, we warmly invite the writers and writers’ groups of the south-east back to the Gardens for an even bigger and better Gathering, on Saturday 29 June.

We’ll kick off our gathering at 2.30pm with an information session for writers’ groups. If you are a writer or part of a writers’ group, you’ll have a chance to share the activities of your group, so other people can find out what you’re up to. This will help writers beat isolation and open up the possibility of collaboration and cooperation between groups or a chance for individual writers to join one. You’re welcome to come along whether you’re in a writers’ group or not.

At around 3pm, you’ll have a rare opportunity to hear an interview with the Waterford Playwright and Director Jim Nolan, who will talk to Mary Howlett about his friendship with Sean Dunne and his life as a writer. This will last about half an hour. After that, there’ll be an open mic and tea and coffee will be served. You’ll have an opportunity to share your work with other writers. You’re then welcome to join the Literary Tour of the Gardens, which is happening at 4.30pm.

A whole afternoon of fun awaits you at our Gathering. You can dip in and out of whichever parts of the Gathering are of most interest to you.

The Gathering will once again be MC’d by local writers Mary Howlett and Derbhile Graham.

FREE ENTRY TO PARTICIPANTS, INDIVIDUAL WRITERS OR WRITERS GROUPS. Please confirm your attendance by EMAILING US with your details.

FEAST FOR THE SENSES WRITING WORKSHOP
with Derbhile Graham
Sunday 30th June
10am to 12pm

Derbhile Graham is inviting you to take part in a feast for the senses in her two-hour writing workshop. You’ll do writing activities which will encourage you to tune into the senses and tap into beautiful memories. You’ll be inspired by a storytelling hat and write a recipe for happiness. When you’re finished, you’ll feel relaxed and you’ll be full of ideas for new stories. Duration and Time:
Two hours from 10am to 12pm.
PRICE: €25 (TICKETS LIMITED).

SEAN DUNNE POETRY AWARD PRESENTATION OF PRIZES & READINGS
Sunday 30th June
3.00pm

Join us for the Inaugural Seán Dunne Poetry Award Prize Giving and Readings (Winners will be invited to read their award winning poems for the audience). Special Guests will include Competition Judge renowned poet and novelist Thomas McCarthy.

FREE ENTRY TO PRIZE GIVING SEATING Please confirm your attendance by EMAILING US

Free Seats are limited.
However Gardens will be open to the Public at Normal Garden Entry of €7, payable on Entry.

Airing of
“In my Father’s House” Radio Drama”
on WLRFM
Sunday 30th June

Sean Dunne’s memoir, In My Father’s House, was adapted as a radio drama and produced by WLR in 2004.
The adaptation was written by Noel Kelly, directed by Jim Nolan, narrated by Michael Coady and starred Anna Manahan. The executive producer was Billy McCarthy, Programme Director at WLR.

WLRFM Sunday 30th June
7-9 PM