Annual Padraic Colum Gathering returns once again in Granard Library

The annual Padraic Colum Gathering will take place in Granard Library Saturday, 5 October and will run from 10:30 am until 3pm.

The event celebrates the work of Padraic Colum, one of Longford and Irelands most notable literary figures and a leading name in the Irish Literary Revival.

His wife Mary Colum will also be celebrated. Mary was a writer as well as a literary critic.

The Gathering is organised by Longford County Council through its Library, Archives, Arts and Heritage services.

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It is supported by the Commemoration programme which is run by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media. 

The Gathering will feature two speakers from 10:30 am to 1pm, a local historian Gearoid O’Brien and University College Dublin (UCD) Prof Margaret Kelleher.

Gearoid O’Brien will speak about his memories of Padraic Colum’s visits to Athlone which took place mainly in the 1960s.

UCD Anglo-Irish Literature and Drama Chair, Prof Margaret Kelleher will follow. Margaret spoke at the Gathering in 2021 and is no stranger to honouring Padraic and Mary Colum, as she is currently writing a joint biography on the pair.

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A poetry reading will take place at 2pm, led by Granard native, poet and dramatist Noel Monahan. The poetry reading will feature the work of those who are participating in a workshop to be facilitated by Noel in Granard Library on Tuesday, 1 October. 

The Gathering will close with a performance from children of the Sacred Heart National School in Granard based on Colum’s play Thomas Muskerry. 

The performance will be directed by drama facilitator Hannah Carleton, who has been working with the children over several weeks.

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Longford County Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Mark Casey welcomes the Gathering. “This long-standing event promotes the excellent work and legacy of Padraic Colum, an Irish playwright, poet and novelist born here in Longford in 1881. His work is important for our heritage and culture, and I encourage everyone to turn out for this important celebration of his work.”

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Longford County Council Chief Executive Paddy Mahon added, “Longford has a very strong literary tradition and events like the Padraic Colum Gathering help to promote this for future generations. The Council proudly supports this event, which this year has an excellent showcase of Colum’s work and new creative work as we expand upon our literary heritage”.