Pic: Fusion Shooters
ONE of the longest running literary journals in the country is celebrating its 40th Anniversary Edition, reports Mark Dunphy, PRO for event sponsor, Limerick City and County Council.
The Stony Thursday Book was founded by Limerick poets John Liddy and Jim Burke in 1975, and is funded by the Limerick Arts Office and The Arts Council.
This year’s editor is Mary O’Donnell, poet, writer and member of Aosdána, who joined members of the local arts community for the launch of the publication’s 2015 edition at the Granary Library in Limerick City last night.
Its publication is in tandem with CUISLE Limerick’s International Poetry Festival, which is ongoing until Sunday 18. Full programme onfor readings by readings and film events at Hunt Museum and Granary on Michael Street.
“Over the years, The Stony Thursday Book has been characterised by independent thinking, inclusiveness and adventurousness, reflecting what I would like to imagine, was the vision of the founding editors,” explained Ms. O’Donnell at the City Library based release.
Pictured at the launch were poets Tim Cunningham and Mark Liddy
Pic: Fusion Shooters
“It has been a privilege to read and select so many poems. The number of submissions was huge.
“What struck me about the poems as a whole was how they reflect the diverse Ireland we now inhabit, and how although poets are preoccupied with ideas and feelings as much as they have always been, the poems now come to be written by people who represent what we have become as citizens of this State — and all that that implies,” she said.
“My hope is that the poems resonate with the readers of The Stony Thursday Book long after tonight’s launch.”
This year’s poetry anthology contains the work of 132 poets from all over Ireland, as well as India, Estonia, Norway, UK, The Netherlands, France, USA, Australia and New Zealand. Cover art for this year’s edition has been provided by local Limerick artist Rory Prout.
Pic: Fusion Shooters
