Donerail Literary & Arts Festival
Rambling poets, bards and eccentrics will descend on the beautiful
estate town of Doneraile on the 5th,6th and 7th of August 2011 for their
inaugral Literary & Arts Festival. Sit back and enjoy readings at the
magical Creagh Castle, atmospheric St Mary’s Church or the grandeur of
Creagh House by guests such as Michael D. Higgins, Ulick O Connor,
Billy Keane, Leane O Sullivan, Gabriel Fitzmaurice, Donnacha O
Duilaing, Dr Andrew King and many more. Treat yourself to a fantastic
night of drama by Lasra Drama group performing “I do not like thee Dr
Fell” or throw on your glad rags for a very special classical concert
performed on the evening of Sunday 7th by The Degani Ensemble. Renown
raconteurs Mattie Lennon and Billy Keane will bring out the Brendan
Behan or W.B Yeats in all of us each evening in the pubs with
impromptu poetry, song and witty anecdotes whilst on Sunday afternoon
the pleasure Gardens of Doneraile Court will be the venue for readings
by Children’s authors, Pauline Devine and Kieran Mark Crowley. If you
would like a relaxing weekend of literature and arts in the beautiful
surroundings of Doneraile with a hint of theatre and a dash of Pride &
Prejudice then the Doneraile Literary & Arts Festival on August 5th,
6th and 7th 2011 must be a date on your summer diary. For tickets contact
Diarmuid on 087 167 5809 or visit www.historicdoneraile.ie
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The following rhyme is to commemorate the occasion.
DONERAILE.
By Mattie Lennon.
Come Harvest Moon or Autumn gale
It’s show time now in Doneraile.
Now you, like Raftery, heist your sail,
If you can write, hit Doneraile.
If you want to sing or tell your tale
The place for you is Doneraile.
If your partner’s left and you’re a male
No better place than Doneraile.
If you’re interned or locked in jail
Break out and head for Doneraile,
If on remand apply for bail
And meet your friends in Doneraile.
The Philistines can whinge and wail;
They have no place in Doneraile.
Of the action here you must avail
At this culture-fest in Doneraile.
Not wind or rain or driving hail
Will keep the scribes from Doneraile.
And farmer/poets will leave their kale
To reap the fruits of Doneralie.
To Chareleville they’ll go by rail
And head with glee to Doneraile.
If your inspiration has gone frail
Rejuvenate in Doneraile.
If your Muse has gone and your talent stale
‘Twill be revived in Doneraile.
I watched as Gandal fanned his tail
When he heard mentioned “Doneraile.”
His boss then smartly hit the trail
With Failte Isteach, for Doneraile.
mattielennon.com
