• Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim
• Sunday August 11, 10:00 – 18:00, €30
• Book through the Glens Centre booking site, or (071) 985583 / info@theglenscentre.com
• This is the second in a series of workshops on the theme of Poetry and Story, Landscape and Myth. Future workshops will take place on Nov 3 and Feb 2.

The Field Trip

The day will begin with a meet-up and writing exercise in the Glens Centre.  Weather permitting we will then go on a car-pooling, wheelchair-accessible field trip to the Shannon Pot, followed by an alfresco lunch and writing session at the Cavan Burren.

There is a catering van at the Cavan Burren, run by Cuilcagh Catering. They offer soup, sandwiches, chips, breakfast baps, scones, tea, coffee etc – alternatively, you can bring your own lunch. We will return to the Glens Centre for the afternoon writing session.

Weather

The Met Eireann forecast offers the probability of 13°C, some light drizzle and a gentle breeze. So dress warm, wear rain gear, walking shoes or sandals – no need for boots – and, in case the forecast is entirely wrong, a sun hat. And if it looks like there will be more than occasional drizzle, we will follow an indoor-based mystery Plan B…

Feedback from the Bealtaine workshop

You brought the myths alive again for me… Very good workshop, well researched and well planned… I could not believe how much gold I unearthed… Very interesting triggers… An incredibly encouraging and talent-nurturing workshop….

This Lughnasa-inspired workshop, led by Monica Corish, will take place in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim on Sunday August 11, 10:00 – 18:00, only €30.

The day will begin with a short writing exercise in the Glens Centre.  Weather permitting, we will then go on a car-pooling, wheelchair-accessible, mystery field trip, where we will glean further inspiration, before returning to the Glens Centre in the afternoon. And if it is a day of torrential rain, as is entirely possible, a Plan B will be hatched. More details closer to the time…

You can book directly through the Glens Centre website, or by phone/email: (071) 985583 / info@theglenscentre.com

Image credits: Lugh by Brian Froude, Wheat Bees Design mightyskins.com, Tailltiu by Jim Fitzpatrick.

You can learn more about this series of workshops, “Poetry and Story, Landscape and Myth”, from Ocean FM Arts House (the interview between Harry Keaney and Monica Corish begins about 16 minutes into the podcast).

To book, contact the Glens Centre Manorhamilton directly:  (071) 985583 / info@theglenscentre.com. Sunday, May 26, 10:30 – 16:30. Cost: €30. Places limited, advance booking required.

In the month of May the Cailleach of Winter transforms into the blossoming Goddess of Summer. Bealtaine is associated with the fertility of nature and the imagination; with flowering hawthorn; and the need-fire of purification and blessing. The Tuatha De Danann are strongly linked with Bealtaine. According to the Book of Invasions, the golden people of the goddess Danu landed at Sliabh an Iarainn (Iron Mountain, on the shores of Lough Allen, Co Leitrim) during the Bealtaine festival. Many years later they went through the same mountain into the Otherworld and became the daoine sídhe.

At this workshop we will draw on the stories of Bealtaine to spark new writing in any form – poetry, story, memoir, opinion, reflection. The workshops will be led by award-winning writer and AWA-trained writing group leader Monica Corish monicacorish.ie. They are suitable for both novice writers and experienced writers, anyone over the age of eighteen. No previous knowledge of folklore or myth is needed.

This is the first in a series of workshops on the theme of “Poetry and Story, Landscape and Myth”, supported by the Glens Centre, the Arts Council and Leitrim County Council. Photo credit Slieve Anierin mountainviews.ie

Be inspired to write by the landscapes and borders, mythologies and megaliths of Leitrim and the North West. Four one day workshops at the Glens Centre, Manorhamilton, led by Monica Corish. €30 / single workshop; €100 / 4 workshops

• Bealtaine: Sun May 26 2019, 10:30 – 16:30
• Lunasa: Sun, Aug 11 2019, 10:00 – 18:00
• Samhain: Sun, Nov 3 2019, 10:30 – 16:30
• Imbolc: Sun, Feb 2 2020, 10:30 – 16:30

Places limited, advance booking required.

To book, contact info@theglenscentre.com / (071) 9855833.

Supported by the Glens Centre, the Arts Council and Leitrim County Council.