Galway County Libraries are running exhibitions and a large number of events to celebrate the centenary of the birth of novelist and playwright Walter Macken
Although he died a young man of only 51, Macken was a prolific writer and the author of nine novels, four short story collections and two plays. Of his two works of children’s fiction, ‘Flight of the Doves’ was made into a film in 1971, scenes of which were filmed in Tuam. Nearly all of his works were set amongst the landscapes and people of Galway. He is best known for his historical trilogy; ‘Seek the Fair Land,’ ‘The Silent People’ and ‘The Scorching Wind,’ and it is these works that are the focus of the library’s ‘Galway’s Great Read’ of 2015.
In Tuam Library on Thursday 5 November between 6.30pm and 8pm Ultan Macken will give an entertaining account of his father’s life and work, based upon his much-acclaimed biography, ‘Dreams on Paper’ (2009).
On Tuesday 10 November Ciara Murphy will speak on Macken’s historical works, with a special focus on ‘Seek the Fair Land.’ Ciara is a native of Wexford and has previously facilitated numerous literature and drama courses with Wexford County Libraries including: ‘The Voice of War – the movement from page to stage’, ‘The Poetry and Drama of W.B. Yeats’ and ‘The Work of J.M. Synge and Ireland’s Renaissance – a look at the Irish Literary Revival’ among others. She is currently living in Co. Galway where she is undertaking a PhD in Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies. She is keenly interested in contemporary Irish and British theatre, Theatres of War, and Irish theatre in the 20th century, all of which will inform her fascinating presentation.
On Thursday 19 November, Gerry Conneely will present a one-man show based on ‘the Navvy Poet’ Patrick McGill’s memoirs of his time with the London Irish Rifles; ‘The Great Push.’ Gerry will be concentrating especially on the experience of MacGill’s regiment during the Battle of Loos in 1915.