UL/Frank McCourt Creative Writing Summer School. NYU, 22-25 June

UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK/FRANK MCCOURT CREATIVE WRITING SUMMER SCHOOL, 2017. GLUCKSMAN IRELAND HOUSE, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, JUNE 22nd to 25th.

SPONSORED BY SHANNON AIRPORT

SUMMARY: The Shannon Airport Authority and the University of Limerick have teamed up to present the 2017 Frank McCourt Creative Writing Summer School at NYU’s beautiful Glucksman Ireland House, 22nd – 25th June. Study writing in a fun and relaxed atmosphere with bestselling authors Joseph O’Connor, Donal Ryan and Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, poet Mary O’Malley, UL professor Eoin Devereux and others. Speaking from New York about the Summer School, Loretta Glucksman said: “It’s our joy at Glucksman Ireland House to help link Frank’s two cities, Limerick and New York. He remains beloved in both.”

Welcoming the announcement of the 2017 programme, UL President, Professor Don Barry remarked: “The UL Frank McCourt Creative Writing Summer School in New York links two literary worlds – on the banks of the Shannon and the shores of the Hudson – that fired our much-missed Frank’s imagination. The very promising 2017 programme will draw on his unique legacy to inspire new generations of creative writers”.

UL Professor of Creative Writing, Joseph O’Connor, added: ‘The Summer School offers a taste of Creative Writing as we teach it at UL, with the emphasis on enjoyment, collegiality, mutual respect and love of words, in a community of writers working together. We hope the fine range of authors we’re offering this year will make it an experience to remember.”

Highlights will include readings by JOSEPH O’CONNOR, broadcaster, playwright and author of eight novels including the million-selling ‘Star of the Sea’. Booker Prize-longlisted DONAL RYAN, author of ‘The Spinning Heart’ (recently voted Irish Novel of the Decade) will reveal the secrets of writing captivating short stories. Acclaimed Young-Adult author and UL professor SARAH MOORE FITZGERALD will outline those essential motivational and time-management tools that all writers need. The 2017 Summer School will also feature guest appearances by renowned Beckett Actor LISA DWAN and IARLA Ó LIONÁIRD, singer with Irish-American trad supergroup THE GLOAMING.

LISA DWAN will be sharing her unique perspective on reading and acting Beckett and will give a reading from his work.

IARLA Ó LIONÁIRD will perform with novelist and UL Creative Writing Professor, Joseph O’Connor, who will be reading from his international bestselling novel of the Irish Famine, “Star of the Sea”. An interplay of words and music that is absolutely not to be missed!

Celebrated Irish poet, MARY O’MALLEY, will offer exciting sessions on ‘Poetry and the City’, focusing on the streetscape of the Lower Manhattan/Greenwich Village where the Summer School has its base, and the counterculture of downtown NYC provides a vivid context for PROF EOIN DEVEREUX’s talk on long-time New York resident David Bowie.

KERRY NEVILLE joins us as this year’s special guest. Teacher, Huffington Post contributor and award-winning short-story writer (‘Necessary Lies’), Kerry is a dazzlingly talented wordsmith whose take on the creative process in our contemporary era is fascinating. Writer in Residence for the Summer School, DARRAGH McKEON, author of acclaimed debut novel ‘All that is Solid Melts into Air’, will be on hand to offer advice, answer questions, give his insights over coffee, share perspectives and respond to students.

Our Guest of Honour, ELLEN FREY McCOURT, Frank’s wife, remarks: ‘Three cheers to Shannon Airport Authority for continuing their enlightened support for the ambitious UL/Frank McCourt Summer School in New York. In one divine stroke they have enabled the two things Frank loved most—teaching and writing. Thank you also to Joseph O’Connor and his UL colleagues for putting it all together with NYU (Frank’s Alma Mater) Glucksman Ireland House and the Irish Arts Center. Frank would feel triply blessed.”

The Summer School is open to application from everyone, whether resident in New York or willing to travel from Ireland. No previous writing experience is required, but willingness to prepare for the programme is a must.

Price $300/$200student/unwaged. Numbers are strictly limited, so book early to avoid disappointment, at http://frankmccourt.ulfoundation.com/

Details/informal enquiries: ULNY@ul.ie

Press Queries: joseph.oconnor@ul.ie or eoin.devereux@ul.ie