Whether you have a cúpla focail or none at all everybody is céad míle fáilte here. Enjoy the dulcet tones of Dubhán's beautiful Donegal Irish as he helps you craft your own piece in a relaxed atmosphere. Bígí linn.

Poetry and Irish-language writing will be discussed in this workshop. We will look at the theories around poetry and how Irish-language poets and writers viewed these theories. Irish-language poetry from last century onwards will be discussed as well as how to compose and publish Irish-language poetry (or any form of writing). Participants will have a chance to compose their own piece of work based on prompts given on the day.

The motto of our festival is "Treasure Each Voice", from Frances Browne's song of the same name. We treasure English, Gaeilge and Ulster Scots here as unique forms of expression, and wish them to be accessible and enjoyable to all.

About Dubhán Ó Longáin (Duane Long) 

Dubhán obtained both his undergraduate and master’s degree at Ulster University, Magee Campus, before completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Belfast. He is now working towards his PhD on the Laoithe Fiannaíochta (Ossianic Lays) and specifically the orality of the lays and their role in society. His research interests include Irish folklore (particularly the Ossianic tales), the manuscript tradition and modern Irish literature.He is also a creative writer and his first collection of poetry, entitled IDEO Locator, was published by Coiscéim in 2020. He is also a writer of short stories and has contributed to the recently published, award winning anthology 'Bláth na dTulach'.

Hear Dubhán reading his winning poem for a previous Frances Browne Poetry Competition on Facebook here

About the Isaac Butt Heritage Centre 

The Isaac Butt Heritage Centre, in Cloghan Beg near Ballybofey County Donegal, is dedicated to Isaac Butt and Dr Nancy McGlinchey. The Isaac Butt Heritage Centre opened its doors to the public for the first time in August 1998 and was officially opened in July 1999 by Dr. James McDaid, in Ballyfofey in County Donegal. The Centre is dedicated displays detailing the lives of Isaac Butt and Dr Nancy McGlinchey, who was renowned for her service to the local community Along with a detailed history of Isaac Butt, there is an exhibition on the History of the Glenfinn Parish from the 5th century onwards. There is also an exhibition on the educational system in Glenfin, which gives an account on the development of the different schools in the Parish and includes numerous photographs of students and pupils at these schools long ago.

Come and see some of the tools and instruments used by our skilled craftsmen in bygone days or have a look at the ever increasing collection of old horse drawn agriculture machinery outside the centre.