Tarbert set for big literary weekend

TARBERT is set for a big literary weekend in celebration of wonderful homegrown talent, living and dead, over two nights at the Community Centre on Friday and Saturday next.

Acclaimed modernist poet Thomas McGreevy and debut novelist Kevin Hurley are the subjects of the twin celebrations in a weekend marking a proud moment for the locality.

First up is the event in remembrance of Thomas McGreevy marking the 50th anniversary of his death (March 16, 1967) at the Community Centre in Tarbert on Friday night, March 10, next.

Born and reared on the Glin Road in a home still owned by the family, McGreevy fought in the First World War as Second Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery, being wounded twice at the Somme.

Following the war he studied at the Sorbonne in Paris becoming firm friends with Samuel Beckett - who would later champion his poetry.

Considered the first modernist Irish poet, he was regarded as one of the three key Irish poets of WW1.

The event begins with a Memorial Mass from 6.30pm followed by what’s certain to be an illuminating talk from another Tarbert native Professor Emeritus John Coolahan called ‘The abiding influence of his Tarbert childhood and youth on Thomas McGreevy’.

Meanwhile, on Saturday night it is Tarbert native Kevin Hurley who will be the focus of his community as he comes back from his adopted Dublin home to launch his first novel September Will Tell - an historic romance set in and around his home town. A retired teacher, Kevin Hurley returns home regularly but this visit will, of course, be extra special as he finds himself feted at the Community Centre on Saturday, March 11, at 8pm. For more information on both events visit www.tarbert.ie.

Tarbert native Kevin Hurley, whose debut novel is to be launched on Saturday.

Thomas McGreevy, in portrait.