Trevor/Bowen Literary summer school
Mitchelstown, Co Cork
This annual event is held in honour of two writers associated with the Mitchelstown area, William Trevor, who was born in Mitchelstown, and Elizbeth Bowen who grew up and is buried at Kildorrery in County Cork.
The works of these two writers are at the heart of the event, though the programme encompasses themes related to Irish Literature generally, and it always attracts a stellar line up of speakers.
Among those speaking in 2011 are Cormac MacConnell on “My version of The Ballroom of Romance!!” and Margaret MacCurtain on “Treat with Caution! The Short Story as a source of Irish History”
Other lectures include “‘Let there be a big saw got’ The humour of Myles na gCopaleeen” (Anne Clune), “Elizabeth Bowen’s Irelands” (Susan Osborn), “My Writing Life” (Danny Morrison) and “An Infinite Well: Trevor’s Childhood Memories of his Cork Towns” (Gerard Dineen).
A creative writing workshop for adults, led by Ian Wild, concentrates on the short story – the from for which both Trevor and Bowen are probably best known.
There will also be a screening of the 1990 BBC documentary “Hidden Ground – William Trevor”, which includes footage of him chatting with local people in Mitchelstown, Youghal and Skibbereen.
The winners of the William Trevor/Elizabeth Bowen International Short Story Competition will be announced on Saturday evening.
Event Details and Location Map
Most events take place at the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork with some others in St. Colman’s Church, Farahy and Mitchelstown Town Hall.
Further details are available at the Mitchelstown Literary Society website.
