Friends combine talents for new book of poetry

A NEW book by two friends, one who lives locally and the other who lives in East Yorkshire, was launched recently by Denis Collins at Wexford town library.

‘Causeway’ is a new book of poetry by Deirdre McGarry and Rosemary Palmeira. It is a collaboration based on writing they had completed on the same themes. The two women have been close friends for many years.

Deirdre moved to Wexford four years ago having spent most of her adult life in England. She has been writing since she was a teenager but began to take it seriously in the last 15 years, following early retirement from a role as a criminal solicitor in the UK. She has appeared in numerous anthologies, co-edited a book for Amnesty International in the UK and was the writer-in-residence at Bridlington’s Christ Church which resulted in two anthologies of Christian poetry.

Rosemary lives in East Yorkshire. She recently retired from a lengthy career as a psychotherapist, helping refugees and asylum seekers recover from the effects of torture, stress and exile. She has written for many years and will publish a solo collection later this year.

Both women also enjoy painting and Deirdre is currently working on her first solo exhibition, due to feature in Enniscorthy’s Presentation Centre in November/December of this year.

‘Causeway’ is on sale in the Book Centre and in Wexford Arts Centre.

At the launch at Wexford Library: Denis Collins, who launched the book, authors Rosemary Palmeria and Deirdre McGarry, and Alice McIntyre, who supplied some music for the event.