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Fiery Arrow in association with Live Encounters
invite you to
READING THE LINES A 1916 Commemorative Event
at Tallaght Library
6pm – 8pm on Monday, 7 November 2016
Readers will include Platform One & Guests
Music courtesy of Tony Bardon
Refreshments will be served.
“The idea behind Reading The Lines derives from William Butler Yeats’ Easter 1916. Poets were invited to choose a line from this iconic work which resonated for them, either culturally, politically or historically. The chosen line was then given a new lease of poetic life, forming a transitional bridge from the now of 2016 to a century ago and the events which led up to or followed on from Ireland becoming a Republic.”
– Eileen Casey, Irish Poet and Writer
As promised – details of the official launch of Circle & Square!
CIRCLE & SQUARE
An anthology of prose, poetry and fiction, inspired by ‘shopping centre’ as a place brim full with dramatic possibility. It includes work from a number of guest writers, including (in alphabetical order):
Dermot Bolger, Martin Dyar, Mia Gallagher, Mary Guckian, Ferdia McAnna, Paula Meehan, Geraldine Mills, Louise Phillips and Kevin Power.
As well as a number of Platform One writers, many of who have won or been shortlisted for writing awards including: the Hennessy Literary Award, the Listowel Writers’ Week Short Fiction Award, the Cecil Day Lewis Award, the Jonathan Swift Short Story Award, the James Plunkett Short Story Award, the RTE/Penguin Short Story Competition, the Patrick Kavanagh International Poetry Award and many more …
Trish Best, Annette Bryan, Joan Power, Niamh Byrne, Eileen Casey, Susan Condon, Doreen Duffy, Gavan Duffy, Brigid Flynn, Marie Gahan, Sue Hassett, James Hyde, Vivienne Kearns, Brian Kirk, Aine Lyons, Mae Newman, Trish Nugent, Tony Shields and Michael J Whelan.
“To open Circle and Square is like entering the sort of fascinating cafe which every shopping centre should ideally possess: a cornucopia of engaging voices and fascinating stories that any reader would happily eavesdrop on. Eileen Casey has deftly knitted together a compelling ensemble of poets and pr
ose writers whose stories complement each other, as they ripple outwards in increasingly imaginative circles to explore the multitudinous facets of everyday living. This is an anthology where a shopping expedition or a Luas journey can also bring you on a succession of intriguing and inventive voyages into the past and future. Prepare to be entertained.”
– Dermot Bolger
Looking forward to catching up with you for what promises to be a wonderful launch which will include poetry and prose readings from a number of writers included in the Circle & Square anthology!
So please spread the word …
Birr Libraryin association with Arlen House and Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival
Invite you to celebrate the launch of:
A Fascination With Fabric
Prose and memoir by Hennessy Award winning writer Eileen Casey.
“Eileen Casey has a rich and evocative style which she delivers with great subtlety.”
Hugo Hamilton
“A reliable witness, Eileen Casey’s work is marked by such a deliberate grace and reverence for the senses.”
Thomas Lynch
Date: 7 August 2014
Time: 4.45pm
Venue: Birr Library, Wilmer Road, Birr, Co Offaly
Admission: Free but please RSVP Birr Library (057-91 24950)
Red Line Book Festival 2013: LADYKILLERS
Crime Writing by Leading Female Authors: Alex Barclay, Arlene Hunt, Louise Phillips and special guest former Boulder Coroner Joanne Richardson in conversation with Susan Condon
A killer evening not to be missed! Some of Ireland’s most popular female crime writers share insights into creating a gripping thriller. Special guest Joanne Richardson, former County Coroner of Boulder Colorado, brings an interesting element to the evening as she shares her experiences in this challenging role.
Alex Barclay’s first novel Darkhouse was a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller. Since then Alex has written several bestselling thrillers and won the Ireland AM Crime Fiction Award at the Irish Book Awards for her third novel, Blood Runs Cold, which was the beginning of the Special Agent Ren Bryce series.
Arlene Hunt’s dark and atmospheric stories perfectly capture the grimy underworld of Dublin and beyond. She is the author of a series of fast-paced crime-thrillers, featuring John Kenny and Sarah Quigley from Quik Investigations. Her sixth novel Undertow was nominated for best crime novel of the year in 2009. Her current novel – a stand alone set in the US – entitled The Chosen, was voted as TV3’s Book of the Month for November 2011.
Louise Phillips’ bestselling debut crime novel, Red Ribbons, was shortlisted for Best Irish Crime Novel of the Year (2012) in the Bord Gais Energy Irish Book Awards. Her eagerly awaited second psychological crime novel, The Doll’s House was published August 2013
Joanne Richardson was County Coroner in Boulder Colorado from 2003 to 2012 and was responsible for determining cause and manner of death, which indicates whether the death was accidental, natural, suicide or homicide. Despite having what many would perceive to be a morbid profession, Richardson is upbeat, colourful and frank about her work.
Susan Condon is currently editing her debut novel – a crime fiction thriller set in New York City. Her writing career began in 2008. She has won many short story awards and was Longlisted in the RTE Guide / Penguin Ireland Short Story Competition 2012.
Date: Friday 18th October
Time: 8pm
Venue: The Civic Theatre, Main Auditorium
Admission: €12/€10 concession
Whether you are a crime fiction reader or currently honing your skills as a crime fiction writer, this is an event not to be missed. An opportunity to delve into the minds of three prolific writers as they divulge the secrets (we hope!) to their success and how they manage to get into the minds of their characters: the victims and the killers . . .
At the end of the night, there will be a chance for you, the audience, to ask those burning questions that have been eating away at you. If you can’t make it on the night and that burning question will not go away, post it here. The most intriguing question will be asked, on your behalf, on the night.
Hope to see you there!
Red Line Writing
Curious Broadcast is a radio station and production company who work with people to exchange knowledge through audio and video productions.
I was delighted when my short piece, Secret Librarian, was chosen by Sue Hassett to be included in the Red Line Writing as part of South Dublin Libraries Red Line Book Festival last year, along with fellow writers and poets.
This is a reading of new work by writers from South Dublin, presented in diverse voices by actors from Inchicore College, Carousel Theatre School and Clondalkin Youth Theatre. To have your work read by a professional actor, while you sit in the audience of The Civic Theatre, is, I can assure you, quite a thrill.
Head over to Curious Broadcast and take a moment to listen to the diverse work delivered on the night. Secret Librarian can be found at 00:22:18 but if you have time, I’d encourage you to listen to them all – you won’t be disappointed.
| TITLE | WRITER | ACTOR |
| Artist’s Statement | Molly O’Dwyer | Rachael Dowling |
| Lily Shepherd | Jen Donohoe | Hayley Roche |
| Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori | Michael J. Whelan | Asa Cuthbert |
| Irish Batt | Michael J. Whelan | Vladic Gurdis |
| Covenant Denied | Michael J. Whelan | Kenneth Hudson |
| Secret Librarian | Susan Condon | Nicola Kirwan |
| Sun God | Gavan Duffy | Kenny Stapleton |
| Classmate | Gavan Duffy | Conor Kelly |
| Border Shop | Mae Newman | Rachael Dowling |
| The Mind Fisher | Doreen Duffy | Hayley Roche |
| Tallaght Tardis | Áine Lyons | Nicola Kirwan |
| 2 extracts from Acquittances 123 | Sue Hassett | Rachael Dowling |
Dublin Book Festival:
Inspiring Crime Writers with Susan Condon
Niamh is the author of three crime novels; her latest, Too Close for Comfort. She is also the true crime editor for the Sunday World.
Conor published his debut crime novel, A June of Ordinary Murders, earlier this year. He was formerly editor of The Irish Times.
Interested in my findings? You’re just one click away to read my report on the night, over at Crime Scene on www.writing.ie
Red Line Book Festival 2012
What a privilege – to be asked to chair Three Voices/Three Forms and showcase three such diverse and talented writers!
There could be only one answer – a resounding YES – when I was asked to chair Three Voices/Three Forms at the Loose End Studio, Civic Theatre last Wednesday.
As part of the Red Line Book Festival 2012, this was a platform to showcase three very diverse, but equally talented writers:
Each writer read extracts from their work – Colm from his poetry, Don’t Go There; Eileen from her short story collection, Snow Shoes and Louise from her crime bestseller, Red Ribbons, along with a tantalizing taster from The Dolls House.
After their Readings I had an opportunity to ask each writer a couple of questions about their writing before opening up to the floor where the fun really began.
You only had to look at the audience to see how much they enjoyed listening to these wonderful writers and from the photo’s it certainly appears as if Colm, Eileen and Louise enjoyed the night too!
Red Line Book Festival 2012
November is a jam-packed month full of events to keep all avid readers and aspiring writers busy!
And I am delighted to have my short story, Secret Librarian, included, along with pieces from fellow Platform One Writers – Michael Whelan and Doreen Duffy in the:
Red Line Book Festival 2012 – RE(A)D LINE WRITING
Venue: RUA RED, Tallaght
Time: 6-7pm
Tickets: Free but booking essential on 01-451 5860 or boxoffice@ruared.ie
New work by emerging writers based in and around RUA RED will be read and performed by actors from South Dublin theatre and film groups in a collaborative and inter-generational showcase event led by writer Sue Hassett and actor Rachael Dowling.
Presented by actors from :
Carousel Theatre School, Clondalkin Youth Theatre and Inchicore College
Featuring:
Susan Condon, Asa Cuthbert, Jen Donohoe, Doreen Duffy, Gavan Duffy, Vladic Gurdis,
Kenneth Hudson, Conor Kelly, Nicola Kirwan, Áine Lyons, Mae Newman, Molly O’Dwyer,
Hayley Roche, Kenneth Stapleton & Michael J. Whelan
This event is supported by RUA RED and will be recorded for podcast by Curious Broadcast*
From 7pm to 8pm, before the Three Voices/Three Forms event, ticket holders are offered 15% discount in the RUA RED café.
*Curious Broadcast is a broadcasting space where communities and individuals can exchange and generate new ideas and imaginings for social change. www.curiousbroadcast.com
Admission Free – Booking Essential
Red Line Book Festival 2012
In celebration of the Red Line Festival, Whitechurch Library hosted a poetry afternoon on 15 November. The guest of honour was the well known poet, Enda Wyley.
Among the audience were members of Platform One who read prose or poetry or sang, including Michael J Whelan, Eileen Casey, Tony Bardon, Marie Gahan, Áine Lyons, Doreen Duffy, Ann Marie Mullins, Patricia Best, Mae Newman and Susan Condon.
More information here.
Jonathan Swift Creative Writing Awards, 2012
Susan Condon, Michael Whelan
and Doreen Duffy
What a wonderful night, at the Saggart Arts Centre, for the Jonathan Swift Creative Writing Awards Ceremony.
Jam-packed with so many fellow writers the night got off to a lively start with music from Tony Bardon.
Maria Wallace, Hennessy Award winning poet, was the judge who offered her congratulations to all of the entrants who had their poems and prose short listed.
It was an especially enjoyable night for me when two great writer friends were awarded, in the Poetry category:
Third place: Michael J Whelan
First place: Doreen Duffy
To be awarded First place in the Prose category made the night even more memorable.
The evening finished with a customary Irish cuppa, courtesy of Mervyn Ennis and his lovely wife, giving everyone a chance to have a chat.
Crime Scene Book Club Reviewers on www.writing.ie
Who could possibly argue with Louise Phillips, author of Red Ribbons, when she compared us – Joe McCoubrey, Mick Halpin, Triona Walsh and little ‘auld me – as similar to the X Factor panel! Just as discerning – and possibly even more dangerous – all of this in our roles as part of the Crime Scene Book Reviewer Panel over at www.writing.ie . . .
As avid readers, I know this is a role we will all enjoy immensely.
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You can find a number of my reviews below to whet your appetite:
Headstone by Ken Bruen
Graveland by Alan Glynn
Crocodile Tears by Mark O’Sullivan
The Lost by Claire McGowan
In The Darkness by Karin Fossum
The Chosen by Arlene Hunt
Bad Moon Rising by Frances de Plino
Crossbones Yard by Kate Rhodes
Happy reading!
Susan Condon
SUSAN CONDON - Writer 
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