This is a recording of Frank McCourt talking to Sue Lawley on Desert Island Discs the 17th June 2001.  

Frank McCourt On Desert Island Discs 17th June 2001

Thomas L. O'Halloran ( 1887 - 1968) was Frank McCourt's teacher in Leamy's School, Limerick. Affectionally known as 'hoppy' he was the first person to refer to Frank as 'a literary genius'. Listen here to Frank talk about Thomas L. O'Halloran...the giant at his shoulder.

The Giant At My Shoulder: Frank McCourt recalls his teacher Thomas L. O'Halloran

This song was written in honour of Frank McCourt, the author of Angela's Ashes, who said in his own immitable style and humour that he was now known as 'the Mick of the week' and  as a 'big shot' writer, both phrases are included in the song.

Best Seller

A chance to listen to the late poet Adrian Mitchell reading live  in Limerick in 2006 introduced by Dominic Taylor of the Limerick Writers' Centre.

Adrian Mitchell in Limerick 2006

http://www.limerickwriterscentre.com

Hello, I’m Dominic Taylor and I’d like to welcome you our series of live recordings of poets who have read in Limerick over the past number of years.  The series is brought to by The Limerick Writers’ Centre. Today we bring you poet Simon Armitage who read here in 2004. 
Simon Armitage was born in West Yorkshire, England in 1963. He earned a BA from Portsmouth University in geography, and an MS in social work from Manchester University, where he studied the impact of televised violence on young offenders. He worked as a probation officer for six years before focusing on poetry.
Armitage is the author of numerous collections of poetry and has also published fiction.  His poetry is often influenced by music, a connection he pursues in his nonfiction book Gig (2008). Armitage has also performed as a member of the band The Scaremongers.
 He has taught at the University of Leeds, the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and Manchester Metropolitan University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society for Literature. The recipient of numerous honors and awards, Armitage was named the Millennium Poet in 1999 and a Commander of the British Empire in 2010. He is currently Professor of Poetry at the University of Sheffield.
Ladies and gentlemen, Simon Armitage.


Simon Armitage Live in Limerick 2004

http://www.limerickwriterscentre.com

Hello, I’m Dominic Taylor and I’d like to welcome you our series of live recordings of poets who have read in Limerick over the past number of years.  The series is brought to by The Limerick Writers’ Centre. Today we bring you the late poet and critic Denis O’Driscoll who read here in 2006.
Dennis O’Driscoll was born in Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland in 1954. He died 24th December, 2012 in Naas, County Kildare. He published nine books of poetry, three chapbooks and a collection of essays and reviews. He edited and compiled contemporary quotations about poets and poetry, and published a book of his interviews with Seamus Heaney. His second collection of essays, The Outnumbered Poet, and A Michael Hamburger Reader, of which he was editor, are forthcoming.
Ladies and gentlemen Denis O’Driscoll.


Denis O'Driscoll live in Limerick 2006

Michael Longley reading 'Ceasefire' at Kate O'Brien Weekend 23rd Feb 2014

Thing I Aughta Do

This song recorded in 2007 was written by Dominic Taylor and Sean Kelly as a tribute to Limerick's famous comedy duo Tom and Paschal. Tom O 'Donnell and Paschal O'Grady began in the 1950's in the halls and theatres of Ireland in the days preceding Television and before they had finished were famous, as the song says "from Castlegregory to Carnegie"  (Hall) in New York. Tom O'Donnell passed away last Sunday 10th February 2013. A true gentleman and one of Limerick's most talented entertainers. R.I.P.

From Castlegregory to Carnegy - a tribute to Tom and Paschal

Tesco Girl

The Limerick Writers' Centre is a non profit organisation established to nurture and support writers, fostering literary excellence through readings, workshops and publishing activities.
 
Supporting Arts and Culture in Limerick Since 2008.
