A great grand finale for our 'Flesh and Blood' Doire Press Tour

Sincere thanks to everyone who came out to our reading in Galway City Library on Thursday evening. What a memorable tour it has been from start to finish, taking in Belfast, Dublin, Cork and our grand finale in Galway. Huge thanks to my publishers at Doire Press, John Walsh and Lisa Frank, to our tour organiser, the multi-talented Ruth McKee and to my fellow poets, Simon Lewis and Michael J.Whelan. It's been a great pleasure reading with Simon and Michael, as well as great fun getting to know them both and I've enjoyed every minute. Thanks also to Ruth and Lisa for twisting my arm to play a few tunes on the harp at the end of our final reading. I played a mazurka in D major, a jig in E minor and that beautiful 17th century piece composed by harper, Rory Dall Ó Catháin, 'Give Me Your Hand'. It was fitting note to end upon given that the third section of my book, Conditional Perfect, is inspired by the history and music of the Irish harp!

Reading from Conditional Perfect (Doire Press) at Galway City Library

Simon Lewis reading from Ah, Men! (Doire Press)

Michael J. Whelan reading from Rules of Engagement (Doire Press)

We had a great crowd at the Library

The '3 Musketeers' of the 'Flesh & Blood' tour: Simon, Emily & Michael

With some of my lovely friends who came out to support me: Anne, Blathnaid & Susan

I was delighted to play a few tunes at the end of the reading

Final reading of the 'Flesh and Blood' Doire Press tour tomorrow in Galway

Last Wednesday, 6th November, Simon, Michael, Ruth and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Cork city for our reading at the City Library. We were thrilled to have a full house and a warm and engaged audience. Huge thanks to everyone who came to support us in Cork

Michael J. Whelan, Simon Lewis, Emily Cullen & Ruth McKee

Emily Cullen with renowned Cork-based poet, Thomas McCarthy

Reading in Cork City Library

Me with some of my wonderful, supportive family and Cork relatives

It's hard to believe that our 2019 Doire Press Autumn/Winter Tour will culminate in our final reading tomorrow at 6:30pm in Galway City Library! I'm especially delighted that we'll be concluding our travels back on my own home turf and I look forward to seeing many friends, old and new, at the Library tomorrow. It's been a great pleasure getting to know my two fellow poets on the tour, Michael and Simon, swapping stories and reading along side both. I think our varied, contrasting voices complement each other well and make for a fun and encompassing range of poetry. Thankfully the feedback from audiences to date, in Belfast, Dublin and Cork, has been highly positive. As always, the reading tomorrow evening is free and everyone is warmly welcome! Thanks to The Galway Advertiser and Arts Editor, Kernan Andrews, for this lovely write up about our event which appears in this week's edition of the paper

So come along tomorrow evening and please tell your friends and spread the word! Thanks x