A stunning anthology of prose and poetry launched at Butler House in Kilkenny

Butler House on Patrick Street was the wonderful setting for the launch of ‘White Twine and old Suitcases’, an anthology of poetry and prose produced by The Kilkenny Involvement Centre and Recovery College South East.

The one hundred plus page publication is packed with beautiful work and images and was the result of over a years work by 60 writers from the Kilkenny area.

The opening of the launch was itself special when the students of CBS Kilkenny entertained with four songs giving a beautiful touch of class to proceedings.

The final song ‘The centre’, was penned by Bennetsbridge man Joe Murray who wrote and dedicated the song to The Involvement Centre. Under the baton of Mandy Dowling Joe was joined by the 20 plus choir.

Speakers on the night included Michael Murphy (Task), Mary Woods (Recovery College) and David Dwyer (The Involvement Centre)

Six of the poems from the publication were read on the night. Readers included : Sé Nicholson, Róisín Sheehy, Bob McLoughlin, Claire Mulcahy, Sean Mansfield and Anne Beck.

The book was launched by Urlingford born Paddy Doyle. Paddy is a poet, writer and storyteller.

Speaking to a packed house Paddy said:

“I’m delighted to have been asked here today to launch this anthology; White Twine and Old Suitcases. As you can see, it’s a beautiful book, a testament to everyone involved, and a testament to the organisations that continue to support and facilitate this work.

Addressing the attendance Paddy spoke of a form of writing called ekphrastic writing, whereby a writer responds to another work of art; a sculpture, a painting, or even another poem. It was one of the major modes of classical literature, practised during the Renaissance and all the way back to ancient Greece.

“Well, Homer and the rest of them boyos might have been practising ekphrastic art over two thousand years ago, but looking at this book here today, I reckon we’ve been doing it in Kilkenny a good bit longer than that”, said Mr Doyle.

“Because it’s no small thing to publish a book; to have that spark, that idea, and to have the courage, and the little bit of madness it takes to say, come on, let’s do it. To push the boat out into water, navigate all those tricky currents, and to finally bring it to harbour in such splendid fashion,” he added.

White Twine and old suitcases is available at Kilkenny bookshops. Price €10