Michael McDermott readings kickstart festivities
The reading of Michael McDermott’s poems and short stories by well known local artists which took place in Russell’s Cocktail Saloon on Monday evening, the 9th, had the very pleasant effect of kicking off Dundalk’s Christmas celebrations.
The substantial gathering of old and new friends of the writer, many of whom had travelled arduous journeys to support him, was rewarded for its effort when Longford man, John Noonan, opened proceedings.
The multi talented Christine Larkin then took up the reins - and read five variously themed poems from Michael’s collection in her unique, enormously entertaining way. Then came the ultimate showman, Dundalk’s own Matt Murphy. Stepping with ease into the zone of the imagination which he was born to inhabit, Matt commanded attention when he read two of Michael’s short stories with tremendous aplomb; one Christmas tale about his own brother Patsy, TV’s Mr Gemini, sadly lost to us now, and another about a circus that came to Dundalk during the fifties, from the perspective of a small, bedizened boy.
Matt was followed by Conon Honan from Castle Road, who was responsible for bringing wonderfully vibrant productions of Animal Farm, Alice in Wonderland and other classical gems at Annaverna House in Ravensdale in the past. Conor Honan lent his enormous intelligence and energy on the occasion to a piece about the Pope and a poem about climate change, delivering a stomping performance.
Fergus Mullen then stepped up to, and took the stage by storm, while he exquisitely interpreted three pieces on Michael’s behalf as if he himself had written them directly from the heart.
Making her stage Polly McDermott caused her father to blush with pride when she read a poem for him with her usual considerable delicacy, and she, in turn, was followed by her daughter, Renee, who beautifully read one of her own, also contained in her grandfather’s book, To Ride A Poem.
Michael’s riveting first book - containing fifty poems and twelve short stories, plus additional writings, is on sale for €10 from Roe River Books in Park Street or from the author’s website, michael-mcdermott.net - during the final run up to Christmas.