INAUGURAL WRITER IN RESIDENCE FOR IRELAND’S INLAND WATERWAYS
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INAUGURAL WRITER IN RESIDENCE FOR IRELAND’S INLAND WATERWAYS
Ireland’s inland waterways now has an inaugural Writer In Residence: Erin Fornoff, a poet, writer, and performer, has lived on a fifty-five-foot canal narrowboat on the Grand Canal for the past three years.
Erin Fornoff published a chapbook, Folk Heroes (Stewed Rhubarb 2015) and her debut collection Hymn to the Reckless (Dedalus Press 2017) was shortlisted for the Shine/Strong Award. She has performed three times at Glastonbury Festival and at events across Ireland and around the world, including RTE Arena’s Culture Night at Dublin Castle, on BBC3, and at a James Taylor concert. She has published essays on Irish canals in Architecture Ireland Magazine, Rogue and Winter Papers.
The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) is a voluntary organisation with nearly a 70 year history that advocates the use, maintenance, protection, restoration and improvement of the inland waterways of Ireland.
The inland waterways are Ireland’s hidden marvel – the Grand and Royal canals stretching from Dublin to the Shannon, the missing links of the Newry & Portadown and the Ulster canals the old boats which used to haul turf and Guinness, the majestic lakes and rivers including the Barrow, the Lagan, the Boyne, and the mighty Shannon and Erne systems are the arteries of the country. These waterways have a unique and vital history, a thriving ecosystem, and a proud community across the whole island of Ireland.
‘We are so excited to have our first Writer In Residence in partnership with the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland,’ said IWAI President Alan Kelly. ‘With Erin, we are planning events around the country, and are looking forward to bringing a literary element to our water based activities.’
The new writer in residence role, supported by the Arts Council of Ireland, will bring events to a series of boat ‘rallies’ scheduled throughout the summer, as well as a public art collaboration with street artist Joe Caslin, an extended poem, artistic pieces, and a photography exhibit and photo contest in collaboration with Waterways Ireland, as well as other pieces and collaborations with local artists throughout the year.
Contacts:
General and Media Queries: fornoff@gmail.com, 0862630885
Interviews: Erin Fornoff, fornoff@gmail.com
Interviews: Alan Kelly, President, Inland Waterways Association of Ireland president@iwai.ie
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