NOTTINGHAM IRISH STUDIES GROUP (NISG)
Review of 2006

February
1st Feb: Talk on Contemporary Irish Writing for Birmingham Irish Forum (by Deirdre O’Byrne)

March
17 March - St Patrick’s Day at Nottingham Castle: Literature programme organised by Deirdre:
Poetry readings by Catherine Byron and Kevin Fegan, Storytelling by Fran O’Boyle, Literature talk & workshop (Deirdre); card-making & crafts for kids, with Castle Guide Pete Barnsdale.
Good coverage in St Pat’s brochure and On The Write Lines listings mag.
Piece by Anne Murphy on Paul Durcan in On the Write Lines.
Deirdre’s (very) short story on Irish schooldays read on BBC Radio Nottingham on 17 March, & brief interview.

April
6 April: Deirdre - talk & workshop on Irish Writing for Fosseway Writers Group, Newark.
Irish Reading Group ran a workshop on Paul Durcan’s poetry (in advance of his reading - see below).

May-June
Ireland’s Writers - short course run by Pat Murphy (NISG Chair) & Deirdre, on Maeve Binchy, Sean O’Casey, Edna O’Brien, Colm Tóibín, James Joyce (by Sheelagh Gallagher), Martin McDonagh, Frank O’Connor, Seamus Heaney (by Catherine Byron).

Summer
· 16 June: Bloomsday at Lowdham Book Festival. Readings in costume from James Joyce by Deirdre, Sheelagh Gallagher, Gerry Molumby. Live Irish music by Jim Walker and Charles Tebbs.
· Article ‘From Country Girls to Celtic Tigers’  in Nottinghamshire Book Reviews Summer issue :-
Pat: ‘What Makes Irish Writing Special’;
Anne: ‘What It Means To Be an Irish Reader’;
Deirdre: ‘Changes in Irish Literature’.
· Liz Plant agreed to take over Treasurer duties for NISG. Thanks, Liz.
· Deirdre invited by Elaine Marren (St Patrick’s Day Parade organiser) to DION reception at Irish Embassy, to celebrate St Pat’s receiving DION funding.

· Deirdre met with Mansfield Irish Association; suggested Kevin Fegan (2nd generation Irish, Mansfield-based poet/playwright) read Let Your Left Hand Sing for their group, which he did in October. Lots of people bought the book, which draws on Kevin’s own experience of growing up in Shirebrook as a son of Irish parents.
Check out Kevin’s work: http://www.kevinfegan.co.uk/

Sept - Oct
· Poetry in the City Festival: poetry reading by Bernard O’Donoghue on National Poetry Day.
Poetry workshop on his work by Irish Reading Group.
· 4 Oct: Deirdre - Talk on Irish literature to Melton Mowbray Arts Society, Leicestershire.
· Pat, Liz (new NISG Treasurer), Brian and Deirdre attended official launch of Mansfield Irish Association.

November
· 3 Nov: Máirín Casey organised Kelly’s Heroes concert in West Bridgford.
· 11 - 12 November- Irish Film Weekend at Broadway: Intro + film + discussion
The Wind That Shakes the Barley (sold out), introduced by Jonathan Moore.
Pavee Lackeen intro by Phien of PADD Irish Traveller group. Coverage in Irish World.

December: Article on NISG by Pat & Deirdre in Irish Herald, new East Midlands paper.

Ongoing
Weekly Irish language classes led by Pat, Wed 7.30pm in Irish Centre.
Monthly Irish Reading Group, led by Deirdre, in Angel Row library.
Both advertised regularly in Irish Post, Irish World and Irish Herald

MAKING CONNECTIONS
NISG now have good links with other Irish voluntary groups:
St Patrick’s Day Parade Committee - NISG programme now part of annual 17 March celebrations.
Golden Shamrock Club: NISG occasional visits and donations.
Long Eaton: Barbara Selley of the Irish Reading Group organised a very successful poetry reading by Irish poet Paul Durcan in St Francis of Assisi Church in Long Eaton, 21 April. Deirdre helped on the bookstall, and Barbara kindly reciprocated by selling books at Bernard O’Donoghue’s reading.