I’m delighted to inform you that our friend and popular Longford poet Noel Monahan will launch his most recent collection of work entitled Chalk Dust on Thursday next 3rd May at 8.00pm in the Courthouse, Cavan.
Throughout the years Noel has been a committed supporter of emerging literary talent in Longford. He has given generously of his time, his skills and his experience to a generation of Longford writers.
I, for one, would like to mark this occasion by thanking him for all his help and support to the County Arts Office, over the past twenty two years and I hope to do so at the launch on Thursday night.
The launch of the collection will be accompanied by the performance some excellent classical music by soprano Naimh McCormack and pianist Simon Harden.
If you are free on Thursday night why not make the effort to come along and mark a rite of creative passage of one of Longford’s most talented sons.
We are blessed here in Longford to have such an active writers community. This collegial atmosphere is a benefit and support to our individual writers in many ways and has also been the occasion for many enjoyable nights of poetry and prose in the past.
It was a dark, cold evening outside, but inside Longford Library on November 9 last, there was a very warm atmosphere, as creative talents from across the country gathered together for a night of appreciation.
Enjoy a relaxing evening with local Poet, 
Mentoring is one of the most effective supports artists can receive as they struggle to develop their talents and their crafts. In the tradition of the master craftsman and his apprentice the aspiring artist learns at first-hand how to develop and hone his or her talents directly from an established artist.
Noel Monahan was born in Granard. He has won numerous awards for his poetry and writing. His awards include: The SeaCat National Poetry Award, organised by Poetry Ireland, The RTE P.J. O’Connor Award for drama, The ASTI Achievements Award, The Hiberno-English Poetry Award and The Irish Writers’ Union Poetry Award. His poetry was prescribed text for Leaving Certificate English and examined in 2011. Noel Monahan has published seven collections of poetry fifth collection of poetry, published in 2010. “ Opposite Walls”, was published in 1991, “Snowfire”, in 1995, “ Curse of The Birds” in 2000 and “ The Funeral Game” in 2004, “ Curve Of The Moon”2010, “ Where The Wind Sleeps” 2014. all published by Salmon. In October 2014, Alidades in France published a selection of Noel Monahan’s work in French translation: “Celui Qui Porte Un Veau”. A number of his poems have been translated into: Italian, Russian, French and Romanian. His most recent plays include “The Children of Lir”, performed by Livin Dred Theatre and “ Lovely Husbands”, a play for young people, based on the work of Henry James. For twenty years he has worked with Heather Brett as co editor of Windows Publications. Noel Monahan holds an M.A. in Creative Writing.
Poetry in the Park is a community event, open to all ages and nationalities. It is held on the first Sunday of every month at 2pm, in Burgess park, Athlone.
Laois County Council Arts Office presents Leaves Literary Festival 2013, 8th/9th November.
