After a very successful and enjoyable reading hosted by Tony Cogavin and Jeanne-marie Ryan at the very special Tres Gatos Book and Music Store curated by Phil Wilcox in Jamaica Plain, Boston, I’m looking forward to three events in early June.
First there’s the Doire Press posts showcase at The Crane Barm Sea Road, Galway on Monday 8th June, where I thrilled to be reading alongside Robyn Rowland and John Mac Kenna. I read at the Crane Bar last year at a Crannóg launch, and enjoyed the experience very much – Galway is a welcoming and poetry-loving city; I’m looking forward to going back there.
Then, the following evening, after a fairly mad dash from Galway to Belfast, I’m reading with Doire Poets Robyn Rowland and Elaine Gaston at The Black Box Theatre as part of Belfast Book Festival. This will be my first visit to Belfast Book Festival and I’m very excited, as It’s a lovely and warm-hearted city.
Earlier this year, one of my poems was chosen for inclusion in an anthology in honour of International Day of Happiness. ‘Happiness – the Delight Tree’ (United Nations Society of Writers) is a beautiful anthology, and I’m honoured to have my work appear alongside that of Peter Fallon, Mark Doty, Naomi Shihab Nye, Mimi Kalvati, Yusef Komunyakaa and many international poets whose work is new to me, but who I’ve enjoyed discovering. I’ll be reading my poem ‘Discoveries’ from ‘Happiness – the Delight Tree’ at The Hay Festival in Kells, Co. Meath on June 26th. So thrilled!
You were a huge hit at Tres Gatos, Breda, and I’m sure you’ll be a huge hit again in Galway, Belfast and Kells – what a fantastic June you have planned!!
Thank you, Jeanne-marie. Tres Gatos was a wonderful experience, so warm, enthusiastic and social. It was lovely meeting so many Bostonians, and the sunshine in the gardens afterwards was a real bonus. ‘In a Hare’s Eye’ and I are feeling nostalgic for Jamaica Plain!