2011 Speakers
Speaker: Mr Larry McCluskey
Title:
Larry McCluskey is a native of Co. Longford. He was one of the advisors at the establishment of the Goldsmith Summer School and a founding member of “Kavanagh’s Yearly. He has been a member of the boards of The Tyrone Guthrie Centre and The Arts Council and, professionally, CEO of Co. Monaghan VEC. He has taught in Africa, Cootehill, Bailieborough and Bray. His main arts interest is drama – as Artistic Director and actor with Drumlin Players in Monaghan. He is Secretary of the Assn. of Drama Adjudicators (ADA). He has broadcast on “Sunday Miscellany” and has always maintained his contacts with Longford and Goldsmith !
Speaker: Eliza Pakenham Chisholm
Title:
Eliza Pakenham belongs to the third generation of Pakenham writers. Her father is tree man and historian Thomas, and her grandmother was the biographer Elizabeth Longford. Her book, Tom Ned & Kitty: An Intimate Portrait of an Irish Family tells the story of the Napoleonic generation of her Westmeath ancestors. In her researches Eliza delved into the huge, unpublished archive found at Tullynally Castle, home to the Pakenhams for 370 years. She has lectured on the subject in Monaco, Paris, Florida, and Ireland, as well as the UK. Prior to moving permanently to Ireland in 2000, Eliza worked as an editor and journalist in London. She studied English Literature at Corpus Christi, Oxford, and spent six months teaching English in Botswana. She is married with three sons and lives in Dublin & Westmeath, where she is working on a screen-play
Speaker: Noel Monahan
Title:
Noel Monahan has published five collections of poetry. His most recent publication was “ Curve of The Moon” published by Salmon poetry in 2011. His literary awards include: The SeaCat National Award organised by Poetry Ireland, The Hiberno-English Poetry Award, The Irish Writers’ Union Poetry Award, The William Allingham Poetry Award and The Kilkenny Poetry Prize for Poetry. In 2001 he won The PJO’Connor RTE Radio Drama Award for his play “ Broken Cups” and in 2002 he was awarded The A.S.T.I. Achievements Award for his contribution to literature at home and abroad. His work has been translated into Italian, French, Romanian and Russian. His most recent plays include: “ The Children of Lir” performed by Livin’ Dred Theatre and “ Lovely Husbands”, a drama based on Henry James’ work and performed at the inaugural Henry James Literary Festival, 2010. His poetry is now prescribed text for the Leaving Certificate English Course 2011 and 2012. Noel Monahan holds an M.A. in Creative Writing.