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CBI Programme Officer Tom Donegan writes Greetings from Holy Cross, Tipperary! I am writing this from the study of resident CBI Cameraman Eamon Nolan, who's family have very kindly offered to put us up over the first stage of what is set to be a very busy week touring the highways & byways assisting touring authors and filming their events. The trip started in fine style with a whistle-stop visit to Bray to see the American author Brian Selznick talk about his bestselling illustrated novel 'The Invention of Hugo Cabret' in the Mermaid Arts Centre. A captivated audience of nearly 200 local school children watched on as he read extracts from the book whilst at the same time demonstrating the filmic quality of it's wonderful drawn illustrated sequences through a presentation of powerpoint slides overlaid with dramatic music. This was Brian's only event in Ireland all year - a real treat for all who were lucky enough to be there - and we really hope he is able to return soon. See http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/index.htm for more info about this amazing book. No sooner was all packed up in Bray than myself and Eamon were back in the car and off to Tipp to meet another Brian - the brilliant Brian Moses - who is one of the three writers taking part in this year's Arts Council Touring Experiment project. Having spent a busy day 'eventing' in Tralee and Killarney, before driving onto our rendezvous point at the Kilcoran Hotel near Cahir, Mr Moses was in fine form and I enjoyed a very enjoyable evening with him and his daughter, Karen, who was accompanying him for the first leg of the journey. Day 2 saw us accompanying Brian to two very different events. The first took place in the Excel Arts Centre in Tipperary Town, packed to the rafters with enthusiastic 5th&6th class students. This was the first time I had seen him perform 'in the flesh' and I must admit I was just as spellbound as the children around me. Poems as varied as 'Sssnake Hotel' and 'Walking with my Iguana' were brought uproariously to life through the use of percussion and audience interaction, but the overall favourite was 'Billy's Coming Back', which deals with the more serious theme of bullying. The performance finished all too soon for many present (I was practically booed from the stage for calling a close to proceedings!) but time was getting on and we had a tight schedule to keep! With only a momentary pause for a cup of tea and a slice of lemon meringue (I've a feeling I'll be hearing more about that particular culinary delight before the end of the week) we were on the road again. This time the destination was the Clonmel library, a lovely building right in the centre of the town with a equally fabulous staff! A smaller event was in store with just two classes present, with the more intimate setting allowing Brian to bring in some different material, including a brand new poem which spookily imagines the London Underground being taken over by ghosts! Again, however, it was 'Billy' that was the favourite of the hour, stimulating a lively discussion of the poem's origins in Brian's own experience of being bullied at school. You can learn more about Brian Moses and hear some of his performances at: http://www.poetryarchive.org/poetryarchive/singlePoet.do?poetId=26 Thanks to all those I've met over the last few days- the dedicated staff at The Mermaid and Excel arts Centres, Pat Bracken and all in Clonmel library, Brian Selznick and Georgia Lawe at Scholastic Books and Brian & Karen Moses. Oh, and the Nolan family as well for feeding me and giving me a bed for the night! Tomorrow Brian Moses' tour continues with visits libraries in Dungarven (Waterford Co) & Ardkeen (Waterford City) and myself and Eamon shoot-off in search of Andy Stanton in Leitrim - wish us luck! Until next time... TD Fancy blogging YOUR festival experience? Drop me an email at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it |
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