Sunday 8 April 2018

Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales


Today I discovered that  Future Learn  currently has a 6-week online course looking at Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales and it has only just started so it's not too late to sign up.
The course content is supplied by The Hans Christian Andersen Centre at the University of Southern Denmark and is suitable for 'anyone who loves fairy tales' from beginners to those wanting to supplement literature studies at degree level.
The course is free (or if you would like unlimited access to the course material and a certificate it costs 39euro). In 2015 I signed up to a Future Learn course on Hamlet and found the structure and course material to be very informative, accessible and easy to use. You can do as little, or as much, as you like which makes it an ideal way of squeezing some extra-curricular study into your busy schedule from home.
I've signed up so in 6-weeks I should know everything there is to know about fairy tales!


Wednesday 4 April 2018

Annemarie Ní Churreáin’s BLOODROOT Donegal Launch 13th April, The Shamrock Bar, Falcarragh


Annemarie Ní Churreáin caught my eye first for the most silly of reasons. We have the same surname and are both from Donegal. Obviously, had her work not hooked me on its merit, her name and origin wouldn’t have sustained lasting interest (My maiden name was O’Donnell and I have no similar interest in Daniel’s work). I found Annemarie in the Stinging Fly, and later surfacing in Poetry Ireland Introductions and sustaining a presence on the Irish writing scene that established her among the writers I followed in the media. Annemarie works hard, travelling to take up literary fellowships in Germany, Florida and Scotland. She is currently Kerry County Council Writer in Residence. Her journeywoman to mastercraftswoman path has been fascinating to watch. In the early days as we were establishing North West Words reading series I had the pleasure of finding and inviting writers to make the journey to Letterkenny and Annemarie read for us on Culture Night in 2015 at one of our Cafe Blend events. I am delighted to be able to attend as Annemarie launches BLOODROOT, her debut collection published by Doire Press, at 8.00pm on the 13th of April in the Shamrock Bar in Falcarragh.
BLOODROOT has been much reviewed including in the Dublin Review of Books by Mary O’Donnell and in the Irish Times  by Catriona O’Reilly. It was shortlisted recently for the Shine Strong Award and in the US for the Julie Suk Award. 
Annemarie writes eloquently in this recent Irish Times article of her life, her writing and BLOODROOT.
If you cannot make it to Falcarragh on the 13th  you can order a copy of BLOODROOT from Doire Press or find it in some of the following Donegal stockists: The Gallery, Dunfanaghy, Olivia’s Boutique, Dunfanaghy, Teach Thomais, Gweedore, and Eason Letterkenny.
Annemarie’s website is http://studiotwentyfive.com/