This will be a very special evening, complete with readings from Laois Poets Arthur Broomfield and Bronwyn Doyle and music by Colleen & Erin Lalor.
Light refreshments will be served.
ADMISSION IS FREE BUT NUMBERS STRICTLY LIMITED!
9.15 p.m. STORIES AND SONG BY CANDLE LIGHT!
VENUE: PRESTON HOUSE GARDEN
**WAITING LIST**
Come spend your evening sharing or listening to stories/poems/yarns/songs around a pretty, candlelit garden.
ADMISSION IS FREE BUT NUMBERS STRICTLY LIMITED!
Saturday 21st August
9:30 A.M. -12. 30P.M
Memoir Workshop
VENUE:
MAC'S @ Mcevoy's Steak & Wine Bar, Abbeyleix
With Pauline Clooney
**SOLD OUT**
This facilitated workshop aims to explore the many ways in which we write about our life with a specific focus on memoir. Other genres touched on will be; autobiography, biography, essay, travel writing, food writing, nature writing and some forms of journalism. Through free-writing activities, sharing of stories, and instructional handouts, participants will be guided to a place of confidence and knowledge from where they can begin to tell their story.
€45 (inc. booking fee) Places limited
9:30 A.m. - 12.30p.m.
fact to Fiction Workshop
VENUE:
MAC'S @ Mcevoy's Steak & Wine Bar, Abbeyleix
with Niamh Boyce
**SOLD OUT**
In this workshop we will explore how true stories can inspire a work of fiction... It would be of interest to anyone fascinated by a true story or incident (from history, or current times, from their own lives or someone else's) which they would like to tackle in writing. We will consider the question - 'how much truth, how much fiction?' The session is suitable for both beginners and those who have been writing for a while. All you need is a pen and paper.
€45 (inc. booking fee) Places limited
10.00 a.m. ‘POEMS, PRAYERS AND PROMISES
Venue- Abbeyleix Community Garden
You are invited to come and share your story poem, songs or prayer, or anything you’d like to share.
A short ‘Sound Healing’ ceremony, performed by MaryPat Moloney, will open this event and will focus on healing and releasing the creative spirit within.
Angela Keogh reads from her novel ‘The Winter Dress’ – A story set
through the 1350’s pandemic known as ‘The Black Death’.
Angela will speak with Mary Hanrahan after the reading
about the interesting things she discovered while writing her novel, and the
parallels with our current reality.
Tickets €10.00 (plus booking fee)
1.30 p.m. ‘HOW ARE YOU?’
VENUE: THE SQUARE
We invite you to join our ‘conversation circle’ to chat about everything and anything with old friends and new. This event will be facilitated by Ruth Miller
Walk up Event. Numbers limited.
1.30 p.m.
‘HOW TO GET PUBLISHED!’
VENUE: Preston House
Join Sheila Forsey and Geraldine O' Neill in a session chaired by Noelle O’Connell, where you’ll discover the world of publishing. Whether you are interested in writing a novel, memoir, book of poetry, essay writing, short story, or play - it will help you to understand how to get your project fit for publication through drafting a project, re- drafting, editing, and refining. You'll also be introduced to the different roads that can be taken by traditional publications, digital publications and self - publications and be guided on creating work that is publishable.
Tickets €15.00 (plus booking fee)
3.30 p.m. ‘UNLOCKED’ –
Launch of an Anthology of Short Stories written by ten emerging Irish writers for The Power of Words Festival Short Story Competition. In association with Hilliard Press.
VENUE: PRESTON HOUSE
**WAITING LIST**
Come hear the TEN winning stories!
Celebrate each winning author as they read their stories and receive their prizes (sponsored by Hilliard Press and Paul Moore Woodcrafts). Andrea Carter, judge of the Short Story Competition will speak about the stories she chose and present each writer with their prizes. Music will be provided by Colleen & Erin Lalor
Light refreshments will be served.
ADMISSION IS FREE BUT NUMBERS STRICTLY LIMITED!
5.45 p.m. Folklore Walking Tour on the Bog – with Mairead Connell
VENUE: ABBEYLEIX BOG WALK (MANOR HOTEL)
A leisurely stroll through Abbeyleix Bog exploring the rich tradition of Irish folklore. Discover how nature shaped the beliefs and superstitions of our ancestors.
(Tour limited to Max. 10 people)
Donation Basis
(€5-10 suggested)
Gather at Manor Hotel at 5.30 p.m.
Saturday 21st - 6.45 p.m.
Life as a writer – Geraldine O’Neill
VENUE: Preston House
Geraldine O'Neill is an internationally published author living in Ireland since 1991, but originally from Scotland. She primarily writes historical fiction novels. Geraldine will talk about how reading and writing influenced her early life, and how joining a writing group in her 30's led to her 20 year career as a published novelist of historical fiction and a writer in various mediums. Geraldine will finish the session with an open Q & A on any aspects of writing.
Tickets: €15.00 (plus booking fee)
8.30 p.m. OPEN MIC BY CANDLE LIGHT
VENUE: PRESTON HOUSE GARDEN
**LOW AVAILABILITY**
You are invited once more, to come share a story, poem, joke or song!
ADMISSION IS FREE BUT NUMBERS STRICTLY LIMITED!
Accomodation Offer
Why not make a night of it and stay over...See more here
Sunday 22nd August
9.15 A.M. Andrea Carter - in conversation with Stan Henderson
VENUE : Preston House
Andrea Carter, author of the Inishowen Mysteries, will read from her latest book and chat with Stan Henderson about her books and her writing process. This event will be of interest to all crime fiction fans and any aspiring crime writers out there.
Tickets €15.00 (plus booking fee)
10 a.m. ‘The Battle for Abbeyleix’ with Mairead Connell
In July 1922, there was gunfire down Main Street, armoured cars parked in Market Square and landmines on the Portlaoise Road. This walking talk highlights how the Civil War left its mark on the town and people of Abbeyleix.
(Tour limited to Max. 10 people)
Donation Basis
(€5-10 suggested)
Gather at The Square
11.15
a.m. ‘YOUR TIME TO WRITE’ – Suzanne Power
VENUE: Morrissey's Pub
(Garden Space)
**SOLD OUT**
Author/Editor/Mentor Suzanne Power will offer writers
a chance to view themselves as individuals within their work in progress and
get them to frame their writing life in a way that respects the life they are
in, rather than the one they wish they had.
Suzanne will share techniques and strategies that have helped
her and her clients to publication.
Tickets €20.00 (plus booking fee) This is a
2-hour session.
1.30 P.M 'Living Poets Society'
Abbeyleix Community Garden
The Power of Words Festival Team is very pleased to announce that the recipient of our 2021 ‘Living Poets Society Award’ is the wonderful Galway poet
RITA ANN HIGGINS.
Please come and join us as we present Rita Ann with the ‘Living Poets’ Society’ Award and celebrate her poetry in the Community Garden, Abbeyleix at 1.30 p.m. on Sunday, 22nd August 2021, in an event facilitated by author Siobhan Hoy.
Music by Erin and Colleen Lalor.
Tickets are FREE but strictly limited.
Register for your ticket online on powerofwords.ie
3.45 pM Turning words into artwork
Venue: Preston House Workshop with David Butler
Learn how to take the written word to create characters from simple shapes and techniques. Break story into images and create illustrations for Children's books and comics.
