International writers gather for ‘unique opportunity’ in Gweedore

From New Mexico, Connecticut, Maine, Minneapolis and New Jersey to the Sonoma Valley of California and from Ennis in Clare to Berkshire England - a community-wide effort created a warm ‘céad míle fáilte’ for international writers gathered for a special retreat in Gweedore.

Memorable experiences at Teac Jack in Glassagh, Leo’s Tavern in Crolly, and Glenveagh National Park in the Derryveagh Mountains provided the writers’ inspiration for many travel articles, memoirs and fiction stories highlighting the region’s natural beauty and historical intrigue.

With none of the international visitors having been to the Donegal Gaeltacht before, it was a unique opportunity to showcase its many attractions with the writers deeming the area “a veritable artist’s paradise.”

Activities included a ferry-boat ride to Gola Island with Captain Sabba and a talk by the island’s uncrowned King Eddie about his childhood days growing up there and the history of the gun-running boat, the Asgard in 1914, manned by two local fishermen.

Multi-instrumentalist-singer-songwriter Noel Lenaghan from Ramelton provided masterly entertainment and repartee over a tasty lunch prepared by Kathleen Gallagher of Ciocras, under the rafters of the 100-year-old thatched home of author and adventurer Micí Mac Gabhann, now managed by Sile Ui Fhearraigh, leader of Ionad a’Phobail, Machaire Rabhartaigh. Local artisan chocolatier, Axel Pawlik, hosted a special ‘magic’ evening with a selection of his own locally inspired bonbons comprising seaweed, mead, whiskey and rosemary. James and John McGinley insured transportation for the writers.

Lead tutors during the week-long retreat were Kathleen Shine Cain PhD, author, writing programme director and professor Emerita at Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts and Sean Hillen, former foreign correspondent for The Irish Times who has written several books including ‘Pretty Ugly,’ a novel linking the US and Donegal.