THE rose cornice to No. 12 Barrington Street was halo to achievement at Limerick Writers Centre, launching its review 2015, ‘Building an Ark of Culture’. As manager Dominic Taylor told the assembly at John Quinn’s Georgian build, the concept driving LWC is “an ark to survive the flood of time, that which engulfs everybody and everything”.
He and Joycean scholar Donal Thurlow welcomed Metropolitan Mayor Jerry O’Dea and members/ directors and believers – writers Fiona Clark Echlin and Rosemary Power, Bertha McCullagh and Mairtín O’Broin of CUISLE, Una Heaton of Frank McCourt Museum, Pat McMahon of The National Library, poet Tim Cunningham, John King of Limerick Geneaology.
The occasion was the release of a 10-page catalogue outlining milestones made by this not-for profit cooperative.
“We believe that the craft of writing is a fundamental ability of people, open to all communities and all ages,” Dominic Taylor stated.
With the group’s works ongoing since 2008, Donal Thurlow noted proudly that “we have achieved a lot, a whole variety of activities”, such as their radio programme with Limerick City Community Radio that streams on the Internet worldwide.
Through the house’s Revival Press, “There are over 40 books published, a significant number of excellent books of poetry and prose”.
He referenced the growing literary trail with an annual commemoration to Robert Graves taking place at The Locke Bar. There are performances in the year, a tie in with The Hunt Museum, the monthly On The Nail platform now at The Buttery on Bedford Row, and presenting cabaret at Belltable.
Interestingly, Dominic cheered on the principles of small publishing houses such as theirs, minting words and worthy works with a passion in the face of controlling conglomerates that essentially choose what we read.
Referencing Albert Camus, “We want to bear witness to that in all of us that wants to live, to refuse to die”.
No fear of expiry for Limerick Writers’ Centre with its instructional courses, shared readings and busy mill of performance, publishing and plaques.
