By Irish Echo Staff
Frank McCourt is still with us.
In spirit and in words.
And in the minds of those who want to learn more about an extraordinary writer and his legacy.
The University of Limerick/Frank McCourt Summer School in Creative Writing will take place at New York University’s Glucksman Ireland House from July 7 to 10.
The school, according to a release, will be led by the renowned novelist and Frank McCourt Chair of Creative Writing at UL, Professor Joseph O’Connor.
Added the release: The Summer School will feature the talents of University of Limerick faculty including Joseph O’Connor, Donal Ryan, Giles Foden, Mary O’Malley, Sarah Moore-Fitzgerald and Eoin Devereux.
In addition to creative writing workshops and lectures, the Summer School will feature a literary brunch and other social activities and a performance by Martin Hayes (The Gloaming).
The school is open to applications from those based in the U.S. and to those willing to travel from Ireland.
A discount is offered for block bookings. A limited amount of scholarship funding is available. No previous experience of creative writing is necessary. All that is required is enthusiasm, the release added.
Details of how to book can be obtained from Professor Eoin Devereux at eoin.devereux@ul.ie.
In announcing the summer school, Professor O'Connor said: “2016 sees the twentieth anniversary of publication of Frank McCourt's masterpiece ‘Angela's Ashes,’ a book that became a success all over the world, shedding light on the unique relationship that exists between Ireland and the United States, specifically between Limerick and New York.
“Frank's tale of two cities was translated into dozens of languages, stirring recognitions for millions of readers. We at UL's new Creative Writing Program wished to honor him and his achievement, in this special year. We're establishing a New York-based Creative Writing Summer School in his name, bringing together his two great loves: teaching and writing.”
O’Connor added: “In founding the UL/Frank McCourt Creative Writing Summer School New York, we've had the immense assistance of so many people who loved Frank: his family and friends, his colleagues and collaborators.
“We thank Ellen McCourt and Loretta Brennan Glucksman for their help with the project, Rose Hynes at the Shannon Airport Authority for their most generous sponsorship, Barbara Jones, our Consul in New York, the Department of Tourism and Trade, the Irish Writers' Centre in Dublin, Gabriel Byrne, John McColgan and Moya Doherty, and our magnificent pals at the Irish Arts Center in New York and at Glucksman Ireland House, New York University, which will be the Summer School's home this July.
“This project has seen University of Limerick work with many transatlantic friends and colleagues, to honor a great writer we think of as one of our own and to highlight the exciting and innovative program we at UL Creative Writing are building in his name.”
In advance of the Summer School, UL and the Irish Arts Centre, New York, will present “An Evening For Frank McCourt,” at the Irish Arts Centre, on Sunday June 26 featuring Gabriel Byrne, Jean Butler, Paul Muldoon, Maeve Higgins, Pierce Turner, Joseph O'Connor and others.
This event is sponsored by the Shannon Airport Authority.
More details at http://frankmcourt.ulfoundation.com.
