JOHN O’CONNOR WRITING SCHOOL

John O’Connor Writing School & Literary Arts Festival 2nd–5th november 2017

No Borders, No Boundaries – Celebrate and Inspire PROGRAMME John O’Connor Writing School & Literary Arts Festival Programme Lord Mayor, Alderman Gareth Wilson

BOOKING INFORMATION:

Online: www.armagh.co.uk/johnoconnor www.thejohnoconnorwritingschool.com It is with great pleasure that I send my best In person: wishes to all involved with the John O’Connor Armagh Visitor Information Centre, 40 Upper English Street, Armagh, BT61 7BA. Writing School and Literary Arts Festival. By phone: John O’Connor was a great writer from Armagh 0044 (0) 28 3752 1800 and I am delighted that his name and talent will be celebrated and enhanced through the John O’Connor Writing School and Literary Arts ACCOMMODATION: Festival, now in its second year. Contact Armagh Visitor Information Centre (40 Upper English Street; 0044 (0) 28 3752 1800) I would commend all those who have worked and /or access the PDF link below to ‘Armagh: ’s Ancient Cathedral City’. The Visitor extremely hard to pull together such a full and Information Centre will be able to recommend budget accommodation available in the area. varied programme for people of all ages to www.armagh.co.uk/armagh-visitors-guide enjoy and be inspired by. www.armagh.co.uk/accommodation Phone: 00 44 (0) 28 3752 1800 I hope and trust that you will build on the success of your inaugural event last year and The Charlemont Arms Hotel offers a 10% discount on room rates for attendees at the that everyone will enjoy the festival. festival. Please quote JOCWS. Phone: 00 44 (0) 3752 2028

WRITING SCHOOL FEES: Best wishes, Students pick ONE intensive course of study over the three days. Lord Mayor, Alderman Gareth Wilson Adult: £130 (choice of five courses of study): Fiction, Screenwriting, Playwriting, Poetry, Songwriting. Concession: £99 (over 65s, unwaged, students). Early Bird offer: 15% on all places booked by 4th October.

LITERARY ARTS FESTIVAL TICKETS: Prices as listed per event. Early Bird offer: 10% on all Literary Arts Festival events up to 4 October (excludes The John O’Connor Celebration Evening on Saturday 4th November). Ticket Exchange/Refund: Once purchased, tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded. A cancellation fee may apply. Refunds will be made only in the event of a cancelled performance or course. Note: Concession tickets require proof of eligibility at the entrance to the event.

2 3 John O’Connor Writing School John O’Connor Writing School

A word from Cathy McCullough, Festival Director We are pleased to present this second John O’Connor Writing School and Literary Arts Festival programme. We hope you will find in it inspiration and cause for celebration. We are especially grateful to The Arts Council of and ABC A word from our Patron, Paul Muldoon Council for their financial and moral support, which has made this year’s I’m delighted to welcome you to (the programme for) the second annual festival possible. Equally, we wholeheartedly thank our local sponsors, John O’Connor Writing School and Literary Arts Festival. management board, volunteers, and festival team for their hard work, In my capacity as patron of the School and Arts Festival, I thought I’d commitment and dedication to the cause! remind myself of the several meanings of that word. In the first place, For John O’Connor, there were ‘no borders or boundaries where good writing is concerned’. He believed a patron is ‘a person who gives financial or other support to a person, that there is a good book, story, song or poem in us all. This festival seeks to embody his spirit of organization, cause, or activity.’ The idea of being a ‘backer’ is an openness, welcome, encouragement and support to all our class participants and our audiences.

Photo: Adrian Cook Adrian Photo: attractive one, particularly when one may fulfill the role in ways that are As well as writing classes, we offer a wide range of Literary Festival events and are confident that there is not necessarily financial – and I don’t mean not heading for the bookie’s something for everyone. to back a horse! To be a supporter in the sense of providing moral or emotional or, indeed, intellectual support is no less important. And it’s Writing helps us to make sense of the many complex ideas that travel through our minds. In some cases, something I don’t have to do alone. You can do it, too! this may result in the gripping novel we cannot put down; in others it aids self-expression, clarity of thought, and even assists us in our working lives. The second meaning of patron is ‘a customer, especially a regular one, of a store, restaurant, or theater.’ It’s an idea that’s connected to that first The Writing School and Literary Arts Festival programme presents writers such as Louis de Bernières meaning but does, I suppose, go more in the direction and Robert McCrum, poets Lemn Sissay and Maria McManus, musicians and songwriters Gareth Dunlop, of financial support. The fact that public sponsorship Horslips, Fiachna and Lisa Lambe, screenwriters, playwrights, librettists, choirs, and more... there is much of the arts is now so fitful, frugal, and (more often to enjoy! than not) driven by favoritism, means that we all As we celebrate the writing talent that was John O’Connor, so do we celebrate the beautiful city of light really need to fall in and fork out. and learning that is Armagh, and the fine talent that has emerged from it over the years. We hope you The role of being a ‘frequenter’ of the School and will feel inspired to write, read, sing, gaze at the stars, and embark on your writing journey – whatever Literary Festival is one that comes naturally to us, the reason! I believe, when we think of the long tradition of Cathy. Armagh being a center for the arts. In addition to the idea of Saint Patrick being our patron saint (patron in the sense here of ‘one to whose protection and intercession a person, a society, a church, or a place is dedicated’) we may extend the A word from Damian Smyth, Arts Council of idea of ‘patron’ to John O’Connor himself, given his place as a prime defender of, and advocate for, our Northern Ireland city of Armagh. The re-emergence in 2016 of John O’Connor, author of Come Paul. Day – Go Day (1948), as a force to be reckoned with in Irish fiction, more than half a century after his early death at the age of 39 in 1959, was a cause for celebration among those aware of this writer’s distinctive qualities as a chronicler of Irish market town moralities, rural lore and our common human foibles. The quality of his work was matched by the Writing School and Literary Arts Festival which prompted the revival in his home place of Armagh – and places unique focus on writing skills across the genres, from songwriting to poetry to travel to cuisine to creative non-fiction. A heady mix and one the Arts Council is delighted to support in its second year, as it develops another asset for culture generally and in Armagh City especially. Damian.

4 5 n the outskirts of Armagh on the Loughall road there was a small hamlet of fifty tiny houses built for the workers of the Duncairne Spin- John O’Connor ning Mill. It was here that John O’Connor was born on 4th April 1920 and here that he lived with his family. His father, Johnny, was a First World War Somme veteran who returned in 1916 with shrapnel injuries Oto his leg and head. He was a cobbler by trade and he eked out a modest living with his wife Kitty by running a little shop from their tiny kitchen in the Mill Row. Writing It was a simple life, dictated by the working mill, the river floods and the simplicity of the lives lived there. The family moved from the Mill Row in 1932, to a ‘grand’ house by comparison, at St. Columba’s Terrace, Banbrook Hill. A blue plaque in honour of O’Connor has been School erected at the house. John O’Connor left school in the mid 1930s and worked, briefly, as a telegram boy. His career with the post office was short-lived as he much preferred lying on the banks of the programme Callan River dreaming and crafting his stories. He became a prolific writer, producing pieces for local newspapers, a large number of short stories and several documentary 2nd–5th november 2017 programmes for the BBC under the encouraging eye of his close friend and mentor, Sam Hanna Bell. His only novel, Come Day – Go Day, was described by Benedict Kiely as a ‘masterpiece’ beautifully capturing the ‘wonder, danger and magic of ordinary days’. In the early 1950s John O’Connor travelled to Papua New Guinea and then Australia, where he died suddenly from peritonitis in Ayr, near Townsville, in December 1959. ‘There are no borders, and no boundaries His emergence as a storyteller of genius did not happen in a vacuum. where good writing is concerned’. His immersion in the cultural and literary traditions of his native city in particular, and County Armagh in general, is evident in his work. The people and environment were John O’Connor. his material; local schools and institutions fed his creativity. Come Day – Go Day was first published by Golden Eagle Books Limited in in 1948, then republished by Blackstaff Press in 1984. In 1984 Sam Hanna Bell said, ‘We’ve had to wait 36 years for the reappearance of this gallery of beautifully drawn characters.’ Pioneered by Sam Hanna Bell and John Boyd, ‘The world of John O’Connor is a world of the freshly and more recently by Paul Muldoon, he is described as ‘Armagh’s lost literary great’ (Cul- ture NI, 2016). snedded turnip, the new-sawn plank, the sod shining under The next edition of Come Day – Go Day was published by The John O’Connor Writing the plough. His extraordinary gift is to render the life of the School in November 2016, with the assistance of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. This recent publication will help bring the work of this important author to the wider Mill Row in Armagh as deftly and definitively as Steinbeck audience that it – and he – deserves. renders Cannery Row or Bob Dylan Desolation Row’. Now, a new generation of writers, poets, playwrights, songwriters, film-makers and Paul Muldoon, Patron their audiences will gather again in Armagh to celebrate and enjoy the beauty of language in all its forms, to revisit the work of John O’Connor, and to take inspiration from his beautiful city, and from each other.

6 7 John O’Connor Writing School 2nd-5th November 2017 Student Programme 2nd-5th November 2017

HE WRITING COURSES will provide intensive Friday 3rd Saturday 4th Sunday 5th tuition for everyone, including new and emerging Registration 9.00am: Registration and writers. The choice of tutor is designed to ensure that Lord Mayor’s welcome. Venue: Armagh Robinson the focus rests firmly on inspiring, celebrating and Library. encouraging each and every ‘student’, irrespective of their level of Poetry Class: 11.15am-2.45pm Class: 9.30am-12.30pm Class: 9.30am-12.30pm T Course tutor: Lemn Sissay. Including Industry Talk: Venue: Milford House skill and expertise. Venue: Milford House 11.30am-12.30pm with Collection. Collection. Kate Newmann and The Student Programme consists of five courses: Poetry, Fiction, Joan Newmann. Playwriting, Screenwriting and Songwriting. Students will select one Venue: Milford House Collection. course of study and will receive up to ten hours of tuition, including Fiction Class: 11.15am-2.45pm Class: 9.30am-12.30pm Class: 9.30am-12.30pm an Industry Talk specific to their subject. Industry Talks are provided Course tutor: Martina Including Industry Talk: Venue: Milford House Devlin. 11.30am-12.30pm with Collection. by some of the best writers in Ireland and the UK, allowing students Venue: Milford House Robert McCrum. an opportunity to engage with the writer in an informal setting. Collection. Venue: Milford House Collection. All classes begin and end at the same time, and are scheduled so Playwriting Class: 11.15am-2.45pm Class: 9.30am-12.30pm Class: 9.30am-12.30pm that students can attend all of the events in the Literary Arts Festival. Course tutor: Jo Egan. Including Industry Talk: Venue: AmmA Centre. Venue: AmmA Centre. 11.30am-12.30pm with O’Connor had a highly-developed social conscience, believing in Conall Morrison and Paul Bosco McEneaney. equal opportunity for all, irrespective of social, cultural, religious or Venue: AmmA Centre. educational background. Screenwriting Class: 11.15am-2.45pm Class: 9.30am-12.30pm Class: 9.30am-12.30pm He was a colourful character, a writer, a sportsman, an athlete, Course tutor: Including Industry Talk: Venue: AmmA Centre. with a predilection for pink socks and orange ties, which doubtless Deirdre Cartmill. 11.30am-12.30pm with Venue: AmmA Centre. Barry Devlin. didn’t go unnoticed in his hometown. He left Armagh in 1952 to Venue: AmmA Centre. embark on new adventures. He travelled to Australia where he died Songwriting Class: 11.15am-2.45pm Class: 9.30am-12.30pm Class: 9.30am-12.30pm Course tutor: Including Industry Talk: Venue: AmmA Centre. in 1959 in a boarding house near Townsville, on the north-east coast Gareth Dunlop. 11.30am-12.30pm with Venue: AmmA Centre. Jim Lockhart. of Queensland. Venue: AmmA Centre He was an idealist, an intrepid adventurer – some would say a Industry Talks Note: A number of places dreamer – but through hard work and determination he became an are available to the public. Admission is free, but admired and respected writer. places will be allocated at the venue on a first-come, We hope you will be inspired to continue on your writing journey! first-served, basis. We are proud to celebrate him and all of the tutors, writers and

contributors to our 2017 programme. Key: AmmA: Armagh multi media Access, Market Place, Armagh.

8 9 Writing School Programme Course Details Writing School Programme Poetry Class Details

Timetable Poetry

Students choose one course of study with Lemn Sissay Venue: Milford House Collection, 3 Victoria Street. Friday 3rd November Friday 3rd November 9.00–11.00am 11.15am–2.45pm Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th November Photo: Hamish Brown Photo: Registration and Lord Mayor’s Welcome 9.30am –12.30pm Lemn Sissay Venue: Armagh Robinson Library, 43 Abbey Street. Poetry Industry Talk ‘Release Your Imagination and Enhance with Kate Newmann Courses Your Poetry Skills.’ and Joan Newmann Courses are available in: How to write a poem. How to read a poem on Venue: Milford House Collection, Poetry, Fiction, Playwriting, Screenwriting and Songwriting. stage. How to release your imagination and find unique 3 Victoria Street. angles and terms to enhance your poem. How to be a poet. Poetry as the spider on the World Wide Web. How Saturday 4th November to live as a writer … 11.30am –12.30pm Industry Talks All this and more, in Lemn Sissay’s writing course. Kate Newmann, along with Seamus Heaney, Stewart Parker and James Each course will benefit from an ‘Industry Talk’ with a respected A weekend of laughter and learning. Simmons, began in the Philip writer in their field. The Industry Talk is part of the course content. Lemn Sissay MBE is the author of several books Hobsbaum Group in the 1960s. Note: A small number of places will be available to the public at of poetry. He was the official poet for the She is the recipient of the Criobh na these talks. Admission is free, but places will be allocated at the Olympics and The FA Cup 2015. He is Chancellor of the hEigse for services to poetry. She has venue, on a first come, first served, basis. University of Manchester. published three collections and is co- founder of the Summer Palace Press. Sissay’s installation poem what if was exhibited at The Royal Academy alongside Tracey Emin and Antony Joan Newmann has written four Gormley. His 21st century poem was released on collections of poetry, the most recent Course Times (same for all courses) the multi-million award-winning album, Leftism by of which is Grim [Arlen House 2015]. Leftfield. A violin concerto performed at The BBC by In 2016 she collated Nearness of Ice, Friday 3rd November interviews with the surviving veterans 11.15am–2.45pm Viktoria Mullova was inspired by Lemn Sissay’s poem, Advice For The Living. from the Arctic Convoys, and is co- Short lunch break – please bring a packed lunch. founder of the Summer Palace Press. ‘Reach for the top of the tree and you may get to the Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th November first branch, but reach for the stars and you’ll get to 9.30am–12.30pm the top of the tree. My primary aim is to inspire and be inspired’. (Lemn Sissay) There is only one Lemn Sissay in the world! Don’t miss Course Venues this rare opportunity to work with him. Venue for Playwriting, Screenwriting and Songwriting: AmmA Centre, Market Street. Kate Newmann Venue for Poetry and Fiction: Milford House Collection, 3 Victoria Street. Joan Newmann

10 11 Writing School Programme Fiction Class details Writing School Programme Playwriting Class Details

Fiction Playwriting with Martina Devlin with Jo Egan Venue: Milford House Collection, Venue: AmmA Centre, Market Street. 3 Victoria Street. Friday 3rd November Friday 3rd November 11.15am–2.45pm 11.15am–2.45pm Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th November Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th November 9.30am–12.30pm 9.30am–12.30pm Martina Devlin Jo Egan Fiction Industry Talk Playwriting Industry Talk ‘If Not Now, Then When?’ with Robert McCrum ‘Learn the Basic Rules of Playwriting – with Conall Morrison and Perhaps you’ve always wanted to write but never and When to Break Them!’ Venue: Milford House Collection, Paul Bosco McEneaney found the time. Maybe lack of confidence has been the 3 Victoria Street. Jo Egan is an experienced writer, producer and problem. Or you don’t know what kind of book to write. director. She holds an MFA in Playwriting, was Venue: AmmA Centre, Market Street. Saturday 4th November This weekend workshop with Martina Devlin will creative producer with KABOSH and is now Artistic Saturday 4th November 11.30am –12.30pm deal with some of the nuts and bolts of the craft in an Director with Macha Productions in Belfast. She 11.30am –12.30pm interactive way, including: Robert McCrum was Editor-in-Chief of works as a dramaturg. Paul Bosco McEneaney is from Armagh, Faber & Faber from 1980–1986, where – How to build character Jo will take you through the basic rules of playwriting and is the founder and Artistic Director he published such writers as Kazuo – The importance of dialogue – and then teach you how to break them! of Cahoots NI Theatre Company. The Ishiguro, Milan Kundera, Marilynne – Beginnings and endings winner of many prestigious awards, he Robinson, and Hanif Kureishi. ‘Over the course of the weekend sessions we will – Why plot matters explore the basic principles that inform script has worked on productions ranging from – Setting His account of his stroke, My Year creation for theatre. We will examine the use of time, Shakespeare in the open air to West End – Structure. Off (1998), is in its third edition as a action, ritual and memory.’ musicals. He is director of the recent You won’t have a novel at the end of it – but you Picador Classic. His last book Every Broadway hit, Nivelli’s War. Third Thought has just been published. The course will consist of short, written experiments should have a clearer idea about how to press on Conall Morrison is from Armagh and a (August 2017). that offer insight and can be used beyond the life of with writing one. the classes. Participants are asked to bring an idea, Dublin-based director and writer. He has He is now Associate Editor with concept or theme they have been considering or worked extensively for companies such Omagh-born Martina Devlin is a best-selling author The Observer (UK). a 600-word segment of a work in progress. as the Abbey Theatre, the Lyric Theatre and newspaper columnist. She has written nine books, (Belfast), Storytellers Theatre Company Note: Please do not bring completed scripts due to ranging from historical fiction to memoir. Her novels (Dublin), and Bickerstaff (Kilkenny). He time constraints on the class. include About Sisterland, The House Where It Happened has also worked at the Royal National and Ship of Dreams. Prizes include the VS Pritchett Prize Theatre, London. and a Hennessy Literary Award. She has been shortlisted three times for the Irish Book Awards. She writes for the Irish Independent and is vice-chair of the Irish Writers’ Centre. Photo: Antonio Olmos Antonio Photo: Robert McCrum Conall Morrison

Paul Bosco McEneaney

12 13 Writing School Programme Screenwriting Class Details Writing School Programme Songwriting Class Details

Screenwriting Songwriting with Deirdre Cartmill with Gareth Dunlop Venue: AmmA Centre, Market Street. Venue: AmmA Centre, Market Street. Friday 3rd November Friday 3rd November 11.15am–2.45pm 11.15am–2.45pm Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th November Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th November 9.30am–12.30pm 9.30am–12.30pm

Deirdre Cartmill Gareth Dunlop

’What’s The Story? Screenwriting ‘Explore Aspects and Approach Songwriting Industry Talk A Guide To Screenwriting’ Industry Talk to Songwriting’ with Jim Lockhart. Screenplays form the starting point for most dramatic with Barry Devlin Over the past eight years award-winning songwriter Venue: AmmA Centre, Market Street. films. They are core to the art of great filmmaking. Gareth Dunlop has seen his songs placed in hit TV Saturday 4th November All of the tender romance, gripping action and Venue: AmmA Centre, Market Street. shows including One Tree Hill, House, Nashville, Cougar 11.30am –12.30pm unforgettable lines begin at the screenwriter’s desk. Saturday 4th November Town, and in the major motion pictures, Safe Haven This course is suitable both for beginners and 11.30am –12.30pm and Best Of Me. The Northern Ireland native is a regular Having earned himself a permanent place emerging screenwriters who want to add depth to visitor to Nashville TN where he has worked alongside in Irish Rock’n’Roll history as a member As well as being singer and bass player hit songwriters and artists including Mike Reid and John and creative force with the legendary their work and take their scripts to another level. We with the unforgettable band, will focus primarily on TV and film, and many of the Oates. Celtic Rock pioneers, Horslips, plus an IFTA Horslips, Barry Devlin has directed nomination along the way for his score for tools and insights can be adapted for radio and stage. Dunlop has toured with artists such as Stereophonics, numerous documentaries and pop Robert Quinn’s 2008 feature film, Cré na Ryan Sheridan and Kim Richey, and has played shows You will learn to create and develop characters videos – mainly for , Pride, Bad and Cille, Jim Lockhart is now a producer and alongside Van Morrison, Snow Patrol and Jools Holland that leap off the page, focus on structure, setting, Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, presenter with RTE. format, write strong dialogue, how to avoid common but also for artists like Clannad, Michael to name a few. He features regularly on music and mistakes, and write a great pitch to get your work Flatley, Gerry Rafferty, River City People In this intensive weekend course, Gareth will explore arts programmes on RTE Radio 1 commissioned. and Hothouse Flowers. aspects of songwriting such as ‘writing to brief’ which – and continues to play with Horslips. What are you waiting for? As a screenwriter for TV he has worked on was key to having his work placed in over sixty TV and many hit series such as Perfect Scoundrels, film applications including adverts, trailers, TV shows Deirdre Cartmill is an award-winning screenwriter, Darling Buds Of May, Ballykissangel and and major motion pictures. Gareth will look at different playwright and poet. She has written for TV, short The Clinic. approaches to songwriting and the importance of scene film, radio and theatre. She spent two years as a and character as well as lyric, melody and harmony. He scriptwriter and storywriter on RTE’s flagship drama, His film work includes Lapsed Catholics, will think about the importance of emotive expression Fair City. She worked as a script editor with the BBC All Things Bright And Beautiful, A Man Of in the craft, and consider how to co-write. for 8 years. She holds a Masters in Creative Writing No Importance, Spaghetti Slow, Not Afraid, and is an experienced writing mentor and facilitator. Not Afraid and A Kiss For Jed, as writer. He Students will learn about the business of songwriting was IFTA nominated for best script for his from publishing to copyright protection, royalties, major Sunday night BBC Drama series, licensing and catalogue administration. Jim Lockhart My Mother And Other Strangers. The format will be open, encouraging and interactive to accommodate all levels of ability. Students will have the opportunity to have their work critiqued.

Barry Devlin

14 15 John O’Connor Literary Arts Festival programme 2nd–5th november 2017

16 17 Literary Arts Festival Programme Thursday 2nd November 2017 Literary Arts Festival Programme Friday 3rd November 2017

Throughout the 6.45pm. THEATRE EVENT. 3.30–4.30pm. PANEL TALK WITH Q&A. festival weekend Exhibition: The Life and Times ‘Bellina and the Softening of the Stones’ Panel Discussion with Q&A. Facilitated by Jo Egan. of John O’Connor Rehearsed reading of a play by the Armagh writer, Karl O’Neill, ‘The Play’s the Thing – What Makes Good Theatre?’ Venue: Armagh County with Maggie Cronin as Bellina and Brenda Winter-Palmer as Nina. Venue: Irish and Local Studies Library, 39c Abbey Street. £6. Museum. Venue: Abbey Lane Theatre. £8. n a conversation peppered with insider tips, wisdom and humour a panel of top playwrights, critics Primary School Children’s and directors discuss the making of good theatre. They will give the inside track on how to write and Story Exhibition n 1888 Bellina Prior, of Vicar’s Hill, Iproduce for the stage, how to get a play noticed and produced and how to stay sane in the process! Venue: Armagh City Library. Armagh, (aka The Green Lady) was pronounced ‘guilty but insane’ in Panellists: Children write about Irelation to the drowning of three-year-old welcoming strangers and Annie Slavin of Callan Street. Children ever Jo Egan is an experienced writer, producer valuing difference. Actor and since have run in fear past her house on and director. She holds an MFA in writer, Karl O’Neill, worked Vicar’s Hill. Playwriting and was Creative Producer with with and encouraged the KABOSH. She is now co-founder and Artistic children with his delightful Karl’s stage play about Bellina is set on her Director with Macha Productions in Belfast story, The Arrival of Percy last night in Dublin, in November 1909. It and works as a dramaturg and writing tutor Bloo. speculates on what might have occurred. at the Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast. Maggie Cronin Maggie Cronin is an award-winning Paul Bosco McEneaney is from Armagh Blackwell’s Bookstall Service actress, writer and director. Her film credits and is the founder and Artistic Director of Jo Egan (with book signings Saturday include the Oscar-winning film, The Shore. Cahoots NI Theatre Company. The winner Her work for television includes Holby City, of many prestigious awards, he has worked 4th November) My Mother and Other Strangers and The Bill. on productions ranging from Shakespeare Venue: Charlemont Arms She has just returned from Broadway where in the open air to West End musicals. Hotel, Friday and Saturday, she appeared in the highly-acclaimed, He is director of the recent Broadway hit, 3rd and 4th November Nivelli’s War. Nivelli’s War. Brenda Winter-Palmer is a founder Conall Morrison is a Dublin-based director Roving Arts member of Charabanc, the legendary and writer, originally from Armagh. He has Mick Conway, a cross- women’s theatre company which launched Paul Bosco McEneaney worked extensively for companies such platform artist, will be Brenda Winter-Palmer the writing career of Marie Jones. She as the Abbey Theatre, the Lyric Theatre picking up images and founded and was first Artistic Director of (Belfast), Storytellers Theatre Company sounds from the city and the Educational Theatre company, Replay, (Dublin), and Bickerstaff (Kilkenny). He has the Writing School events and has numerous film and television Conall Morrison also worked at the Royal National Theatre, and creating an inspiring credits to her name. London. exhibition for Armagh 2018. Karl O’Neill is a writer and actor. In 2016 his Jane Coyle is an established arts journalist radio play, 12 Stones in the Water, developed and critic, who has worked extensively in A Song for Armagh for stage as Bellina and the Softening of newspapers, television and radio in Ireland, Facilitated by Armagh Guitar the Stones, won awards for Best Writing the UK and France. She has written many School, young people from and Best Drama Special at the New York scripts for radio and television, as well as the area write a new ‘Song Festivals’ Radio Awards. three full-length screenplays. for Armagh’ which will be A Q&A session after the show will include Rosemary Jenkinson is currently Artist-in- sung in a number of events Jane Coyle Karl O’Neill the Armagh historian, Sean Barden. Residence at the Lyric and her plays include during the Festival weekend. The Bonefire (Stewart Parker BBC Radio Award), Here Comes the Night and Lives in Rosemary Jenkinson Translation. Her work has been performed in London, Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Washington DC and New York. Background image: 18 Bellina Prior and Nina 19 Literary Arts Festival Programme Friday 3rd November 2017 Literary Arts Festival Programme Friday 3rd November 2017

5.00–6.00pm. TALK AND SLIDE SHOW PRESENTATION. 8.30–10.30pm. MUSIC AND WRITING. Geoff Hill: ‘Falling off Motorcycles – A Beginner’s Guide’ Lumen in Coeli – a Light in the Dark Venue: Abbey Lane Theatre. £6. Venue: Armagh Planetarium, College Hill. £15.

tand by for an hour of fun and games as Geoff Hill takes ith the moon and stars as our stage we present an unforgettable evening of music and you through a lifetime on the road in words and pictures. contemporary writing in the beautiful domed theatre of the Armagh Planetarium. SIn his 45-minute slide show, Geoff reveals the highs and WJoin us as we celebrate Armagh’s contribution to astronomical and scientific heritage, and lows of the epic motorbike trips he’s turned into a succession of pay tribute to the Armagh Astronomer, Eric Lindsey. best-selling books, like Delhi to Belfast, Route 66, Chile to Alaska, and In Clancy’s Boots in which he retraced the journey of Carl Guests include the poets Lemn Sissay, Nandi Jola, Kate Newmann, and Joan Newmann, writers Stearns Clancy, the first to take a motorbike around the world a Daragh Carville and Jo Baker, The Sing for Life Choir with music specially composed for the occasion century ago. by the librettist and conductor, Keith Acheson. There’ll be time afterwards for questions like, ‘How did you get so The evening will be presented by the poet, Maria McManus. tall?’ and ‘Are you mad?’ The answer, to save you the time, is ‘Yes’. Geoff Hill Geoff Hill is an award-winning journalist, feature and travel writer. He has written for The Sunday Times, The Daily Mirror, The Metro, and The Irish Times. In a previous life he was Ireland’s most capped volleyball player and a much younger man. He is editor of Microlight Flying magazine and has written eleven critically acclaimed books including The Butler’s Son.

He’s either won or been shortlisted for a UK Travel Writer of the Year award nine times. Maria McManus

Nandi Jola

7.00–8.00pm. TALK. Lemn Sissay mbe ‘Let’s Talk Beckett and Patrick Magee’ Conor Carville on the distinguished actor, Patrick Magee Venue: Abbey Lane Theatre. £7. Daragh Carville

Keith Acheson and the Sing for Life Choir hen heard the voice of Patrick Magee bringing one of his novels Patrick Magee to life on radio in the late 1950s, he was Wimmediately struck by its strange, distinctive qualities. He went on to write a play specifically for Magee, and the actor became well known, on British radio particularly, for his performances of Beckett’s work. Indeed the two men became close friends. Conor Carville’s talk will concentrate Kate Newmann on that personal and professional relationship and its consequences. Using recordings of Magee’s radio work and clips from TV and film, it will look at the way Beckett transformed Magee’s career, but also how Magee moulded the way we see Beckett. Jo Baker Joan Newmann

20 21 Literary Arts Festival Programme Saturday 4th November 2017 Literary Arts Festival Programme Saturday 4th November 2017

1.00–2.00pm. 10.00am–6.00pm. ‘Lights, Camera, Action’. Blackwell Books – Festival Bookshop. 11.30am–12.30 pm Panel Discussion with Q&A Venue: Charlemont Arms Hotel, Award-winning screenwriters and directors 57-65 Upper English Street. ‘Story time at the Library’ with in conversation with Daragh Carville. actor and writer, Karl O’Neill: A fascinating insight into the world of 11.30am–12..30pm. Under the Fir Tree Daragh Carville film and television. Venue: The Charlemont Arms Hotel, For Primary School children. 57-65 Upper English Street. £7. Writing School Industry Talks. Venue: Armagh City Library, 2 Market Street. (Please see Writing School programme for details). Free. Tickets are available at Armagh City ith the success of Game of Industry Talks are free. Limited places available. Library and Armagh Visitor Information Thrones and other TV dramas Admission on first-come, first-served basis. Centre, 40 Upper English St. made in Northern Ireland W(The Fall, Line of Duty), the region is fast See individual venues below. Jude Sharvin becoming a sought-after centre for film and arl O’Neill was born in Armagh drama production. ach of our Writing School courses is and is a professional actor and Panellists Ursula Devine (Script Developer supplemented with an informative and writer based in Dublin. Author of Ka children’s book, The Most Beautiful Letter with NI Screen), Barry Devlin (IFTA interactive Industry Talk, which gives Barry Devlin nominee), Ronan Blaney (BAFTA, Oscar Estudents, and a limited number of members of the in the World, his young audience will be nominee) and casting director/producer public, the opportunity to engage at first hand with enchanted with the selection of stories, Jude Sharvin discuss the exciting some of the most respected writers in Ireland and including the delightful, The Arrival of possibilities and challenges for artists the UK. Percy Bloo. Tickets available at Armagh City Library, 2 Market Street, and Armagh working in this fast-developing field in Visitor Information Centre, 40 Upper Northern Ireland. INDUSTRY TALKS TUTORS: English Street. Poetry – Kate Newmann and Joan Newmann. This event is supported by Libraries NI. Venue: Milford House Collection, 3 Victoria Street. Ronan Blaney Fiction – Robert McCrum. Venue: Milford House Collection, 3 Victoria Street. Screenwriting – Barry Devlin. Venue: AmmA Centre. Ursula Devine Song – Jim Lockhart (Horslips). Venue: AmmA Centre. Playwriting – Conall Morrison and Paul Daragh Carville is a well-known playwright and Bosco McEneaney. screenwriter and is from Armagh. He has won the Venue: AmmA Centre. Stewart Parker and the Meyer Whitworth awards for playwriting and teaches Scriptwriting at Birkbeck University of London. His work includes Cherrybomb, Being Human, The Smoke and 6 Degrees.

22 23 Literary Arts Festival Programme Saturday 4th November 2017 Literary Arts Festival Programme Saturday 4th November 2017

4.00–5.00pm Robert McCrum In Conversation with Adrian Moynes. 7.00 – 8.00pm. Theatre Venue: Armagh Robinson Library, 43 Abbey Street. £8. A staged reading of Both Sides Louis de Bernières Padraig Coyle Jo Baker Glenn Patterson by Jane Coyle obert McCrum is a writer and editor 2.30–3.30pm. whose most recent book, Every Third Venue: Abbey Lane Theatre. £7. Thought: On Life, Death, and the 5.30–6.30pm Rwas published in August 2017. oth Sides comprises two interlocking ‘A Moment with Louis de Bernières’ . In a world where we are determined to live well Jo Baker In Conversation monologues, entitled Me Here, Me and at all costs, can we make peace with what Freud Before Before. They are inspired by the Louis de Bernières In Conversation Bwriting of Samuel Beckett, and set respectively calls ‘the necessity of dying’? Robert McCrum with Glenn Patterson. with Padraig Coyle, followed by Q&A. ponders this question in his new book, Every in Paris and Nice. Third Thought. Searching for answers he turns to Venue: Armagh Robinson Library, Venue: Armagh Robinson Library, 43 Abbey Street. £8. Me Here, Me was first performed at the inaugural brain surgeons, psychologists, cancer patients, COMMENCEZ! Beckett Paris Festival in March 2016. 43 Abbey Street. £8. hospice workers, writers and poets. Expect spies, artists, deprivation, danger A companion piece, Before Before, was added to Robert was Editor-in-Chief of Faber & Faber for 16 rom adventures through Western Australia and passion.... make this intriguing double-header. It premiered years, where he published such writers as Kazuo at the 2017 Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. with Blue Dog and Red Dog, Sylvie, the girl Ishiguro, Milan Kundera, Marilynne Robinson, who believed in reincarnation, and the and Hanif Kureishi. o Baker is the author of six novels, The romance of Paris and the spirit of Beckett Fsecrets of lassoing cattle and horses in Colombia, loom large… including the bestseller Longbourn, best-selling writer Louis de Bernières takes us His account of his stroke, My Year Off (1998), is in its third edition as a Picador Classic. He is now currently in development as a motion Performed by actresses Hannah Coyle on a literary journey that crosses three decades. J picture with Studio Canal. Her most Associate Editor with The Observer and Libby Smyth. In his conversation with Padraig Coyle he will recent novel, A Country Road, A Tree, which is a Jane Coyle is an established arts journalist talk about his work including Birds Without Wings, Adrian Moynes comes from Armagh and has reimagining of literary icon Samuel Beckett’s and critic. She has written many scripts for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and The Dust That enjoyed an illustrious career with RTE, with Resistance years in Paris, was named a book of radio and television, and three full-length Falls From Dreams. Louis will share readings of whom he produced, edited, wrote, and directed. the year in The Guardian and The New Statesman. screenplays. Her stage plays include The Lantern some of his favourite prose and poetry as well as He was Managing Director of RTE Radio and then Glenn Patterson was born, and lives, in Belfast. Man, The Suitcase (BIAF Audience Award), and explaining his Huguenot roots in Lisburn. Group Secretary of RTÉ. His interest in the arts is far ranging; literature is his life-long passion. The author of ten novels, including the critically Farm Girl, written and performed for Holocaust Louis de Bernières is the bestselling author acclaimed Gull, he is the co-writer (with Colin Memorial Day 2017. of Captain Corelli’s Mandolin and The Dust That This event is supported by The Seamus Heaney Carberry) of Good Vibrations (BBC Films). Hannah Coyle is a professional actress based Falls From Dreams, Birds Without Wings and Homeplace: Robert McCrum will read at Earlier this year he was appointed Director in Paris and Libby Smyth is one of ’s best- A Partisan’s Daughter, a collection of stories, Homeplace on Sunday afternoon, 5th November. of the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queen’s known and versatile stage actresses. and two collections of poetry. University Belfast. Padraig Coyle (Armagh) was a BBC Producer for over twenty years. He has written for The Observer, The Irish Times, The Independent, The Irish News and Culture Northern Ireland. He is the author of three books and several plays.

This event is sure to be one of the highlights of Hannah Coyle and Libby Smith this year’s festival.

Jane Coyle Photo: Antonio Olmos Antonio Photo: Robert McCrum Adrian Moynes 24 25 Literary Arts Festival Programme Saturday 4th November 2017 Literary Arts Festival Programme Sunday 5th November 2017

8.30–10.30pm 11.15am–12.15pm. 3.30–4.30pm. The John O’Connor Celebration Evening. John O’Connor Writing School Creative Writers Armagh Literary Walk Venue: The Charlemont Arms Hotel, 57-65 Upper English Street. £18. showcase their work. Facilitated by Martelle McPartland. Meeting place: opposite Gaol Square, The Mall, Armagh. Free. Venue: Charlemont Arms Hotel. Free. he finest of writers, musicians and he second annual John poets come together to celebrate O’Connor Writing School John O’Connor in 1.00–3.15pm and Literary Arts Festival Twhat promises to be two hours of the best Tis again hosting a one-hour stroll entertainment seen on any stage. The around the Mall and the city centre, evening will feature performances from A Literary Lyrical Lunchtime to introduce walkers to Armagh’s a star-studded guest list including Louis An afternoon of entertainment in song, poetry, prose and music. forgotten literary and cultural de Bernières, Horslips, Glenn Patterson, history; revealing stories that Fiachna Ó’Braonáin (Hothouse Flowers), Venue: Charlemont Arms Hotel, 57-65 Upper English Street. £10. will enlighten, surprise and even Rosemary Jenkinson, Gareth Dunlop, Lisa Doors open at 12.30pm with local cider and a cheese board. shock. From the places and spaces Lambe (‘the finest singer and actress of her that inspired the mysticism, poetry generation on whom a whole foundation and painting of George Russell of theatre could be built’ - Fintan O’Toole (AE), to houses and buildings in The Irish Times), Karl O’Neill, and new associated with historic figures writers, Erin Halliday and Louise Kennedy. Louis de Bernières Horslips including the family home of the father of Crime Scene Investigation, who is forgotten in Ireland but still Frank Ormsby Anthony Toner revered in America. rare chance to enjoy a unique pairing of words and Guided by history researcher Eric music, as Fermanagh-born poet, Frank Ormsby, and Villiers you will meet an eclectic Belfast songwriter, Anthony Toner, read and perform bunch of the famous and infamous. Atogether. Note: In the past year Ulster History Frank Ormsby is one of Northern Ireland’s most revered poets, Circle Blue Plaques have been the author of a number of important collections including erected at the Armagh homes of the recently acclaimed, Goat’s Milk: New and Selected Poems. John O’Connor at 94 Banbrook Hill, Lisa lambe Fiachna Ó’Braonáin His new collection, The Darkness of Snow, is to be published in and Patrick Magee (Samuel Beckett’s Glenn Patterson Louise Kennedy September 2017. favourite actor) at Edward Street, Rosemary Jenkinson Anthony Toner, a gifted singer, guitarist and storyteller, is the both a short walk from the city composer of well-known songs like Sailortown, Well Well Well centre. and The Road to Fivemiletown. He is currently celebrating the release of his eighth album, Ink. As this year’s festival comes to a close, we continue the afternoon with an impressive line-up of writers, singers, musicians and poets – with a surprise or two! Award-winning Orla McAlinden Karl O’Neill, from County Armagh (author of The Accidental Wife) will read, as Gareth Dunlop will Matthew Rice, runner-up in the Seamus Heaney Award for Erin Halliday New Writing (2017). Sunday lunchtimes should always be like this! Orla McAlinden Matthew Rice Eric Villiers

26 27 Writing School & Literary Arts Festival Programmes 2nd-5th November 2017 Thanks

AT A GLANCE FESTIVAL PROGRAMMES November 2017

Writing Class Programme Literary Arts Programme Saturday 4th November Special thanks from the John O’Connor Writing – for students only. 11.30am-12.30pm.Storytime. ‘Under the Firtree’. School Board to those who have supported us Throughout the festival weekend Primary School children will be enchanted with this selection of stories by actor by way of generous public grants, private and Students choose ONE writing discipline for as per venue opening hours. and writer Karl O’Neill. other contributions without which we would intensive study from: Poetry, Fiction, Playwriting, Exhibition – The Life and Times of John O’Connor. Venue: Armagh City Library. Free. not be here! Screenwriting, Songwriting. Armagh County Museum. 1.00-2.00pm. Discussion/Q&A. ‘Lights, Camera, Action’. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland Tutors: Primary School Children’s Story Exhibition. Award-winning screenwriters and directors in conversation with Daragh Carville. ABC Council Poetry: Lemn Sissay Armagh City Library, Market Square. Venue: The Charlemont Arms Hotel. £6. Fiction: Martina Devlin The Lord Mayor’s Office and Lord Mayor Playwriting: Jo Egan Blackwell’s Bookstall Service. 2.30-3.30pm. In Conversation. Gareth Wilson Screenwriting: Deirdre Carthill Charlemont Arms Hotel (Friday 3rd & Saturday 4th). Louis de Bernières in conversation with Padraig Coyle, followed by Q&A. The Charlemont Arms Hotel Venue: Armagh Robinson Library. £8. Songwriting: Gareth Dunlop Roving Arts. VII Houses Guesthouse Throughout the city. 4.00-5.00pm. In Conversation. Industry Talks: Blackwell Books A Song for Armagh. Writer, editor and former Editor-in-Chief of Faber & Faber, Robert McCrum, in Poetry: Kate Newmann and Joan Newmann Armatile Fiction: Robert McCrum Songwriting project throughout the city. conversation with Adrian Moynes. Playwriting: Conall Morrison and Paul Venue: Armagh Robinson Library. £8. Martin Kelly Funeral Director and Bosco McEneaney 5.30-6.30pm. In Conversation. Wedding Car Hire Screenwriting: Barry Devlin Thursday 2nd November Bestselling author Jo Baker in conversation with fellow writer Glenn Patterson. JComms Songwriting: Jim Lockhart 6.45pm: Theatre. ‘Bellina and the Softening of the Stones’. Venue: Armagh Robinson Library. £8. Seven Houses Guesthouse Venues for classes: Rehearsed reading of a play by the Armagh writer, Karl O’Neill. 7.00-8.00pm. Staged Reading. Trimprint Poetry: Milford House Collection Venue: Abbey Lane Theatre. £8. A staged reading of Both Sides by Jane Coyle, comprising two interlocking Fiction: Milford House Collection monologues inspired by the writing of Samuel Beckett. AB3 Design Playwriting: AmmA Centre Venue: Abbey Lane Theatre. £7. Milford House Collection Screenwriting: AmmA Centre Friday 3rd November 8.30-10.30pm. Music, Writing, Entertainment. The John O’Connor Seamus Heaney Home Place Songwriting: AmmA Centre 3.30-4.30pm: Panel Discussion/Q&A. Celebration Evening. Libraries NI ‘The Play’s the Thing – What Makes Good Theatre?’ The finest writers, musicians and poets come together to celebrate John Friday 3rd November A panel of top playwrights, critics and directors discuss the making of good theatre. O’Connor in what promises to be two hours of the best entertainment seen Armagh Theatre Group 9.00 am: Registration and Lord Mayor’s welcome. Venue: Irish and local Studies Library. £6. on any stage, including Louis de Bernières, Horslips, Glenn Patterson, Fiachna Armagh and District History Group Class: 11.15am-2.45pm 5.00-6.00pm: Talk. ‘Falling Off Motor Cycles – A Beginner’s Guide.’ Ó’Braonáin (Hothouse Flowers), Rosemary Jenkinson, Gareth Dunlop, Lisa Lambe, Armagh County Museum An hour of fun and games as Geoff Hill takes you through a lifetime on the road in Karl O’Neill, and new writers, Erin Halliday and Louise Kennedy. Saturday 5th November Venue: The Charlemont Arms Hotel. £18. Armagh Natural History and words and pictures. Philosophical Society Class: 9.30am-12.30pm Venue: Abbey Lane Theatre. £6. Industry Talks: 11.30am-12.30pm Armagh Irish and Local Studies Library 7.00-8.00pm: Talk. ‘Let’s Talk Beckett and Patrick Magee’ – Conor Carville on the Sunday 5th November distinguished actor Patrick Magee. Armagh Robinson Library Sunday 6th November Venue: Abbey Lane Theatre. £7. 11.15am-12.15pm. Showcase. Creative Writers from the John O’Connor Volunteers with The John O’Connor Class: 9.30am-12.30pm Writing School showcase their work. Writing School 8.30-10.30pm: Music and Writing. Lumen in Coeli – A Light in the Dark. Venue: Charlemont Arms Hotel. Free. An unforgettable evening of music and contemporary writing in the beautiful Mary McVeigh 1.00-3.15pm. . A Literary Lyrical Lunchtime. domed theatre of the Armagh Planetarium. Stuart Neville Venue: Armagh Planetarium. £15. A rare chance to enjoy a unique pairing of words and music, as Fermanagh-born poet, Frank Ormsby, and Belfast songwriter, Anthony Toner, read and perform together. Venue: Charlemont Arms Hotel. £10. Principal Funders 3.30-4.30pm. Walk. Armagh Literary Walking Tour. The second annual John O’Connor Writing School is again hosting a one-hour literary stroll around the Mall and the city centre. Meeting place: opposite Gaol Square, The Mall. Free.

28 29 Sylvan House, 232-240 Belmont Road, Belfast, BT4 2AW Phone: 028 3752 2028 Tel: +44 (0)28 9076 0066 Fax: 028 3752 6979 [email protected] www.jcomms.co.uk [email protected]

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Saturday 4th November 6:00-7:30pm BLACKWELL’S BOOK SIGNING EVENT! CHARLEMONT ARMS HOTEL Meet the Authors in person at this book signing. Louis de Bernières, Maria McManus, Lemn Sissay & Robert McCrum (6-7:00pm) Glenn Patterson & Jo Baker (7-7:30pm); will all be in attendance to sign books, a rare memento to take with you from the John O’Connor Writing School and Literary Arts Festival. Books are available to purchase at the event, hosted by Blackwell’s Bookshop Belfast.

30 31 Examples of published fiction, of published playwriting,Examples poetry, screenwriting andsongwriting The John O’Connor Writing & School from some of the tutors, speakers, performers andcontributors at tutors, performers someof the from speakers, Literary Arts Festival 2017

Brochure design by Hugh Adams, www.ab3design.co.uk