Máighréad Medbh for first Over The Edge: Open Reading after summer break

galway | arts and media | event notice Tuesday August 11, 2009 00:00 by Over The Edge

The August Over The Edge: Open Reading takes place in Galway City Library, St. Augustine Street, Galway on Thursday, August 27th, 6.30-8pm. The Featured Readers are Michele Coghlan, Kevin O’Shea & Máighréad Medbh.

Máighréad Medbh

Michele Coghlan is originally from Kerry, but lived in Germany for over twenty years before settling in Galway in 2003. She works as a translator with an international software company. She has participated in various Creative Writing workshops at Galway Arts Centre and GTI under the guidance of Geraldine Mills, Kevin Higgins and Susan Millar Du Mars. She says she has grown quite passionate about writing and takes pleasure in triggering a bit of laughter in the audience. She particularly likes slam poetry and took 3rd place at the 2008 North Beach Nights Poetry Grand Slam.

Kevin O’Shea lives in Moycullen within earshot of the old Galway-Clifden Railway line. He recently retreated from the world of technology to consult the imagination and the garden. He is a survivor, reasonably intact, of multiple Creative Writing Classes with Susan Millar DuMars and Kevin Higgins. Earlier this year he was selected to participate in the Cúirt poetry masterclass with Jane Hirshfield and greatly enjoyed the experience.

Máighréad Medbh was born in County Limerick. She has published four poetry collections: ‘The Making of a Pagan’ (Blackstaff Press, 1990); ‘Tenant’ (Salmon Publishing, 1999); ‘Split’ (in ‘Divas!’, Arlen House, June 2003); and ‘When the Air Inhales You’ (Arlen House 2008). Máighréad has become widely known as a poet who applies much creative energy to the presentation of her work in performance. She has also written three novels and is currently working on a four-volume fictional work for young adults. A story for children, set to music, was commissioned by Ireland’s Lyric FM radio station and broadcast in 2007 and 2008. She was awarded an Arts Council Bursary in 2008.

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. The evening will also see the announcement of the shortlist for the 2009 Over The Edge New Writer of the Year competition. For further details phone 087-6431748.

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