Finding a Voice: Dermot Bolger Writer in Residence at The National Museum of Ireland.
Museum of Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Museum of Country Life, Co Mayo and Poetry Ireland
As part of the National Museum of Ireland’s 2016, Decade of Centenaries Public Engagement Programme, novelist, playwright and poet, Dermot Bolger, will be Writer in Residence at the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History between March and August 2016. Through the arts, the programme will reach out to a wide range of audiences, encouraging fresh explorations of the many themes and issues that relate to this period in our history.
‘Finding a Voice: Dermot Bolger Writer in Residence’ is a collaborative project between the National Museum of Ireland and Poetry Ireland. The residency and associated events take inspiration from the Museum’s Easter Week Collections, which form part of the new Proclaiming a Republic – The 1916 Rising exhibition, opening at the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Benburb St. Dublin 7 on 3 March 2016.ntenari
Public
The ‘Finding a Voice’ programme will engage with a wide range of audiences across four distinct strands: the schools' workshop programme; a local community workshop programme; an Online Mentoring Clinic; and a series of public talks and events including the ‘In Conversation with Dermot Bolger’ series. Events will take place in the museum of Decorative Arts & History in Dublin and at the museum of Country Life in Co. Mayo.
In Conversation with Dermot Bolger Public Talks programme
A core aspect of the Dermot Bolger: Writer in Residence programme will be the ‘…In Conversation’ series of public talks. Most of which will take place in the Palatine Room, National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History, Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin 7.
John Sheahan In Conversation with Dermot Bolger
Sunday 20 March 2016, 3pm
National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
Dermot Bolger commences his term as Writer in Residence at the National Museum of Ireland with an intimate conversation with a true Dublin legend, folk musician John Sheahan, the last surviving member of the original and definitive five man line-up of the world famous band, The Dubliners. In this rare public interview with Dermot Bolger, John Sheahan will perform his latest musical composition, Lament for Michael Mallin, written in memory of one of executed leaders of in the Easter Rising. An evocative piece, whose sentiments are made tangible through Michael Mallin’s last letter to his parents, which will be on display in the Proclaiming a Republic – the 1916 Rising Exhibition.
Paul Durcan In Conversation with Dermot Bolger
Sunday 17 April 2016, 3pm
National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
Major John MacBride (7 May 1865-5 May 1916) is one of the forgotten figures of the Easter Rising. Paul Durcan – one of Ireland’s greatest living poets – is related to Major MacBride through his mother, the late Sheila Durcan (nee MacBride), who was the daughter of MacBride’s older brother Joseph. In what is essentially a private reading in memory of a deceased relative, executed a century ago, Paul Durcan discusses his memories of the MacBride family and reads poems in memory of Major John MacBride, in memory of the poet’s mother and of other family members.
Piet Chielens In Conversation with Dermot Bolger
Friday 13 May, 4pm
National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts & History
Piet Chielens is co-director of the award winning In Flanders Fields Museum in Ypres (Ieper), where he is Director of exhibitions and public programming. Piet Chielens and Dermot Bolger will discuss the journeys of those soldiers who set out from the Royal Barracks, what is now Collins Barracks, and ended at the Somme, or in the mud of Ypres. This conversation will explore how those men are remembered today, both in the land they left and in the lands where they are now buried.
Brian Keenan In Conversation with Dermot Bolger
Sunday 19 June 2016, 3pm
National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts &History
Few writers have written more powerfully than Brian Keenan about the terrifying experience of being a civilian unexpectedly caught up in a conflict situation. In conversation with Dermot Bolger he will discuss his experience of being held hostage in a time of war and his more recent experiences of exploring present day Lebanon, as a free man now hopelessly captivated by that city. He will read from his work in a conversation about his life that will be opened up to the audience.
The Irish Experience at the Somme and in World War One
Friday 8 June 2016
Le Logis du Roy, Amiens, France
As Writer in Residence, Dermot Bolger’s talk, will be prefaced by an extract from his play about the Irish experience in World War One, Walking the Road. This event is part of the Battle of the Somme Commemorative Conference, Organised in Amiens, France by Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne.
Writing the Past: An Afternoon with Dermot Bolger & Donal O’Kelly
Sunday 14 August, Time TBC
National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Mayo
One of the most tragic figures killed during the Easter Rising was the pacifist, feminist and socialist Francis Sheehy-Skeffington, who suffered a summary execution by a British officer. The award-winning playwright and actor, Donal O’Kelly – one of Ireland’s most acclaimed theatre practitioners – has crafted a new one man 50 minute play, Hairy Jaysus, which examines Francis Sheehy-Skeffington’s legacy as viewed through the eyes of a Dublin street beggar today.
This event in Turlough Park House will open with a rare opportunity for an Irish audience to see O’Kelly perform Hairy Jaysus, which opens in New York in April 2016. The performance will be followed by a reading of Dermot Bolger’s poem, The Stolen Future – about those children who lost their lives during in Rising. Bolger will then interview Donal O’Kelly about his career as a writer deeply engaged with political and historical themes.
Jennifer Johnston In Conversation with Dermot Bolger
Sunday 18 September, 3pm
National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History
Few Irish writers have written more perceptively about the First World War than Jennifer Johnston. Johnston will read her work in memory family members who fought at the Battle of the Somme. She will then discuss with Dermot her life and her work since the publication of her first book, The Captains and the Kings, in 1972.
Writing Workshops
The wider public will have the opportunity to participate in two one- off writing workshops with Dermot. The Dublin event will take place on Sunday 10 July at 3.00pm in the Museum of Decorative Arts and History, Collins Barracks and the Mayo event will take place on Saturday 23 July at 3.00pm in the Museum of Country Life, Turlough Park House.
Each workshop will consist of a talk about the process of writing, followed by an extensive question-and-answer session with the audience. This session will delve into every aspect of the practice and the business of writing across a range of mediums.
Events are free, unless otherwise stated but booking is essential.
Bookings for events taking place at the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History, Dublin, can be made through the Eventbrite links on the Museum website
Bookings for events taking place at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Mayo, can be made via email at educationtph@museum.ie
Further information on the Dermot Bolger: Writer in Residence Schools Workshops and Local Community Writing Workshops is also available at Museum.ie
FOR MORE PRESS INFORMATION CONTACT
Ann Daly, Head of Marketing, Marketing Department
T: 01 648 6457 | M: 087 2368067 | E: adaly@museum.ie
Eimir O’Brien, Museum Educator, National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History
T: 01 8816 515 | E: eobrien@museum.ie
Queries on National Museum of Ireland – Country Life events can be made through the bookings office
T: 094 90 31751 | E: educationtph@museum.ie
Notes to the Editor:
To find out more about the programme visit the Museum website
Admission to the National Museum of Ireland and its Exhibitions is Free
Join the conversation using the following hashtags: #1916Rising and #NMIER1916
Supported by Dublin City Council Arts Office.