KTAC writers give a public display of literary creativity
ENNISCORTHY Library played host to a showcase event recently that featured writers from Killagoley Training & Activation Centre (KTAC).
A public reading of poetry and prose, the event was facilitated by writer Sylvia Cullen from the Arts Ability creative writing programme.
Among the artists featured on the night was Orla Slevin, from Caim, who took the audience back to recent harsh winters with her poem ‘Snow Slip’.
Philip Priestly, from Enniscorthy, gave a monologue ‘Tales from the Iron Road’, in which a retired steam engine driver presented his thoughts on that disappearing world.
‘Times of Togetherness’, by Michael Bolger, brought the audience on a trip down memory lane to Cahore and peaceful summer days of trout fishing and making daisy chains.
John D Yates read from his first poetry book, ‘As Ever’, and presented two striking poems ‘Rainbow’ and ‘Car Man’, while Bernie Redmond raised a smile with her humorous piece ‘In the Gripe’.
Simon Martin invoked poignant images with his two poems ‘The Heron by the Slaney’ and ‘Bro’ – which was a tribute to his deceased brother.
Those in attendance were then transported to Hollyfort through the writing of Willie Roche and his beautiful piece about nature and farming, ‘The Life of a Hollyfort Farm Worker’.
‘Plunge’, by William Doyle, took the audience poolside to Kelly’s Hotel. William also read ‘Oh My Head’, which was an honest and hopeful account of dealing with mental illness.
‘Freedom is a Helmet’, read by Michael Carroll from Oylegate, explained the protection his headgear offers from seizures.
Attention focused on Meath Street in Dublin next when Anthony Allen recalled memories of time spent with his granny in the Liberties.
Another interesting contribution came from Davika Ramsahoye who read Andy Carton’s ‘Bees in the back plot’, as well as her own interpretation of mealtime rituals: ‘Cooking’.
James Walsh, from New Ross, read his historical piece ‘In Loving Memory Of ’, and he was followed by Barry Mitten’s moving portrayal of family life in London, ‘Holding the Fort’.
Lillian McLoughlin took things to south County Cork with her poem ‘Heaven in Kinsale’, before John Doyle finished the night off by bringing the attendees back to Enniscorthy with his humorous take on teenage adventures, ‘The Night of the Long Walk’.
All of the writers participate in Wexford County Council’s innovative Arts Ability programme which is run in partnership with the Arts Council and the HSE. The aim of the programme is to celebrate the creative imagination of people who experience mental health issues and/or intellectual, physical or sensory disabilities.