New writing is aired by KTAC group
Ukulele and guitar players are on song for summer concert
THE students at the Strumasong guitar school put on a wonderful show for their parents and families at the hall in St Joseph’s NS, Creagh, Gorey, recently.
The end of year concert, featuring Jackie Symes’ guitar and ukulele students, was attended by a large crowd of well-wishers.
As well as entertaining with instru- mental pieces, some of the students also delighted the audience with their singing talent.
The music theme was current chart pop songs and Jackie said the children love to perform them and every week they come into class excited with their next song request. There was great excitement at the end of the show when each child was presented with a certificate and small gift.
The students perform and sing in Christmas charity concerts and events during the year as well. The charity concerts last year raised €1,500 for various good causes including Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin, the Alzheimers Society of Ireland, and St Joseph’s NS. A PUBLIC reading of new writing was recently held at Gorey Library. Killagoley Training and Activation Centre (KTAC) Writers’ Group joined forces with two local poets, to present a lively and entertaining reading of poetry and prose.
KTAC Writers’ Group is based in Enniscorthy, and the members take part in Wexford County Council’s Arts Ability programme, in partnership with the HSE disability and mental health services, and The Arts Council. The creative writing programme is facilitated by Sylvia Cullen. Several publications have resulted. The writers were particularly pleased to be joined by two local writers, and to welcome audience members from Tinahely Writers’ Group, GROW, Gap Arts Festival, Gorey Writers’ Group, Tinahely Women’s Network, and the Men’s Shed.
Pieces were heard from: Orla Slevin from Caim; Michael Bolger from Ferns; Colm Redmond from The Ballagh reading a prose-poem written by his friend, EC; Philip Priestly from Enniscorthy; Billy Doyle from Wexford who also read a piece by Tommy Lambert; Davika Ramsahoye who read a prose poem, and a piece by Moira Naessens from Gorey; Sheena Moloney who read her own pieces and a new poem by Kathleen Wade; John Doyle from The Shannon, Enniscorthy; and Lillian McLoughlin who read her own piece, and a collaborative work, written by herself, Michael Carroll, Tommy Lambert and John Kehoe.
Guest speaker Fr Chris Hayden read his poetry which brought the listeners into the many worlds a priest can be expected to inhabit. Writer Susan Byrne, a US native, presented three of her own poems. Thanks went to KTAC co-ordinator Miriam Lambert and her team, and Philip Knight from Wexford Co. Council’s Arts Department. The library staff provided refreshments and people got the chance to chat with the writers afterwards.