A lively crowd of Galwegian (and beyond) poetry enthusiasts ventured out last Friday to Sheridan’s Wine Bar, to enjoy readings by eight of Galway’s most active contemporary poets. They represented over ten from the area who brought out collections in 2007.
Kevin Higgins, who organises the ongoing Over the Edge reading series compèred a cheerful, refreshing event and at the halfway mark Mayor Tom Costello came out in full regalia to declare well-deserved words of praise for the ongoing success in the Galway poetry scene. The audience were in great spirits (partially thanks to the world of cheesy odours wafting up the stairs), and filled this very elegant venue comfortably.
With fine poetry from Elaine Feeney, Jarlath Fahy, Moya Cannon, Mags Treanor, Knute Skinner, Sheila Phelan, John Walsh and Neil McCarthy, no-one was left athirst, and as Kevin says, ‘a little from a lot’ is far more delectable than the contrary.
This is an annual event well worth the journey. Long may it last.
Elaine Feeney
Cork
Where’s Katie?
Elaine reads Dave Lordan’s Bad Luck Story
Jarlath Fahy
The Haberdashery Section
I wore my white overalls
All that day he corrected things
Knute Skinner
The World at Eleven
A brief quotation from a student’s test response
Sheila Phelan
Night Catch
Phoenix Street
Blue Carpet
Neil McCarthy
Reading Stephen Murray’s An Ode to Bearna
Caucasus
Vienna
A few words from Kevin Higgins and Mayor Tom Costello
Raven in Dublin