GALWAY: October Over The Edge Open Reading

Thursday, October 28th, 2010, 6.30pm-8pm
Galway City Library,
St. Augustine Street,
Galway

The Featured Readers are Ger Reidy, Damien Drohan and Martin Dyar.

Ger Reidy was born near Westport in Co. Mayo in 1958, qualified as a Civil Engineer in 1979 and started writing poetry in 1980. His first collection of poems, Pictures from a Reservation, was published by Dedalus Press in 1998, and received widespread praise for its compelling voice and authentic evocation of the west of Ireland. His second collection, Drifting Under the Moon, was published earlier this year and considerably advanced his reputation, the new poems revealing an increased awareness of craft, a broadening and deepening of his vision.

Damien Drohan is a Limerick man who came to Galway and stayed for the weather. He is now a student teacher, so please excuse him if he dives for cover at any loud noises. He once tried to write a book about procrastination, but never got around to it. Damien mostly writes short fiction, but will write a poem if badgered enough. Most of his characters are a nastier version of himself, and say the things he would never say, at least in polite company. He has been a participant in creative writing classes at Galway Technical Institute and was longlisted in the 2010 Over The Edge New Writer of The Year competion.

Martin Dyar grew up in Swinford in County Mayo. He has worked as a special needs teacher, a teacher of creative writing, and as a lecturer in medical ethics. His poetry has been published widely in journals, including the John McGahern yearbook, the Oxford Magazine, Poetry Ireland Review, the Stinging Fly, and Ropes. His writing has received a number of awards, including the Patrick Kavanagh Award in 2009, and the Strokestown Poetry Award in 2001. This year he was selected for the Poetry Introductions Series. He is also the recipient of an Arts Council Bursary Award in Literature for 2010. Martin will also be performing his one man show Tom Loves a Lord, with soprano Anna-Louise Costello, at the Town Hall Theatre in Galway on October 29th.

There will be an open-mic when the Featured Readers have finished. This is open to anyone who has a poem or story to share. New readers are always especially welcome. The MC for the evening will be Susan Millar DuMars. For further details phone 087-643 1748 or see our website http://overtheedgeliteraryevents.blogspot.com/

Over The Edge acknowledges the ongoing generous financial support of Galway City Council and The Arts Council.