Support is needed for county’s creative talent – Anne Doyle

THE television personality and journalist Anne Doyle joined with the author Dr. Noel Culleton in calling for increased support from the tourist industry for Wexford’s artistic and cultural talent.

Their comments were made at the launch of Noel’s latest book ‘Classical Connections – 50 Fateful Encounters that Shaped the World of Music’ in Wexford Library, with Ms Doyle quoting the Enniscorthy poet Anthony Cronin who said: ‘Wexford people are slow to rouse but when they’re roused, they’re fearsome’.

‘In Wexford, we probably have the most distinguished list of writers in Ireland. Surely there is something we can do. Maybe we should get a little bit more fearsome. Maybe we can be a little bit more proactive,’ she said.

More than 200 people attended the launch to hear the former head of Johnstown Castle research centre, Dr Culleton, state that Wexford ‘is awash with creative energy and there are writers, playwrights, painters, poets, dancers, musicians and crafts people all over the place’.

‘With so much going on in a relatively small population, it is difficult for all artists to have their work showcased and to make some kind of living,’ he said.

‘Our diverse and vibrant arts scene is not as widely known as it should be. We should be attracting much more attention from the tourism industry. We need more visitors to support all the creative work that we produce in the county’.

‘We must start to help ourselves by getting more involved in promoting Wexford as a vibrant cultural hub of national importance. If Galway can be a centre of European culture, surely Wexford can be as well.’

Ms. Doyle took time out from recording a television promotion for UNICEF to launch the book.

She was accompanied by her partner Dan McGrattan, onetime manager of the Dubliners and owner of McGrattan’s pub and restaurant in Dublin, and Liam Mulcahy, former photographic editor of the ‘Irish Independent’ and ‘Evening Herald’.

The speakers also included Susan Eccleston of Family Carers Ireland, Trish Pender of the Library Service and Michael Freeman of Three Sisters Press, which published the book.

‘Classical Connections’ was illustrated by David Mahon who attended the launch along with members of Noel’s family, including his wife Geraldine, son Jonathan and daughter Colette, and the historians Nicky Furlong and Greg Walsh.

Patricia Keenan, senior Co Wexford librarian, journalist and former newsreader Anne Doyle, author Dr Noel Culleton, Michael Freeman, publisher, Three Sisters Press, and David Mahon, illustrator for Noel Culleton’s book ‘Classical Connections’.

James White, Val Stone and historian Nicky Furlong.

Miriam Wilson and Dr Noel Culleton.

James Pierce and Dr Noel Culleton.

Mary Doyle and Dr Noel Culleton.