To celebrate Samhain at WAS, we were delighted to host two wonderful poets, with very different yet complementary styles, Brendan McCormack and Cormac Lally. Both have recently moved to the area to add to the incredible array of talent in West Cork. A large and appreciative turned out – despite the early rain, not to mention the ghosts and ghouls! Another great night.
Dublinman, Brendan McCormack, read from recent work. Powerful, packing a big punch, yet lyrical, Brendan’s understated delivery helps the listeners to comprehend the depth of his work. Brendan has two collections published, Selling Heaven(2013) and Phuckle – Irish Auf English, (2014). (Both available on Amazon.co.uk.) He is a regular reader at The pSoken Wrod, the first Tuesday of the month at DeBarra’s in Clonakilty.
Cormac Lally is a more a performance and slam poet, reciting from memory a range of poems humourous, moving, political, sad, but always passionate and deep. Originally from Tullamore, Cormac has been both the Leinster and Munster poetry slam champion being the first person to do this. He came second in last years All Ireland Slam in Kilkenny. His two collections Scribbles, Dribbles and Homegrown Nibbles and Too Busy Dancing have sold over a thousand copies between them. He writes poetry for best men, brides and grooms through his poetry/speech writing company, Be Spoke.
The usual lively and late-into-the-night open-mic session featured music and poetry. Thanks to all who came to listen and to perform, including, David Jackson, Breeda Murphy, Tim Abbott, Kenny Dread, Simon Lockwood, Paul Ó Colmáin and others…