NEWCASTLE West, haunt of Michael Hartnett, is the place for the 16th annual Éigse in his name which opens next Thursday 16 for three full days. Joseph O’Connor, novelist and short story writer, will give the keynote speech at 8pm following Mayor Kevin Sheahan’s opening address in the Library.
Well known names confirmed are fiddler Martin Hayes, actor Pat Kinevane, writer Kevin Barry (who worked as a news reporter for Limerick Post), the Brad Pitt Light Orchestra, Doireann ní Ghríofa and poet Peter Fallon.
The joint winners of 2015’s Michael Hartnett Poetry Award are Marcus Mac Conghail for his ‘Ceol Baile’ collection, and Caitríona ní Chléirchín for ‘An Bhrídeach Sí’.
Of Harnett, Professor O’Connor, he who took robes and mortar this week, observes, “Hartnett was unique: he wrote in Irish and English, he was both classical and contemporary, but most of all he wrote with such insight and wisdom”.
This year’s programme of entertainment appeal is on www.eigsemichaelhartnett.ie to peruse in full
