Tuesday May 6
Arcadia Cafe 8.00pm


Rita Ann is the genuine article. Born in Galway in 1955, she left school at 14. One of 13 brothers and sisters, she was brought up in semi-rural poverty. By the age of 22 she had been working in a factory for six years. While recovering from TB in a sanatorium, she read her first book.

Higgins has now published seven books of poetry and four plays to incredible acclaim. She has been writer in residence at the National University of Ireland, held an honorary professorship in Texas, and received numerous awards and bursaries. She has also attained two degrees.

Higgins’ poems are often about female toughness and survival against steep odds. Her work celebrates the dignity and beauty of ordinary people, especially of ordinary women. And she finds it in the most surprising places.

Rita Ann Higgins’ poetry is gritty and unflinching yes, but more to the point it is warm, human and very funny. If you’re prone to flinching you might not like it, but if you belong to the human race this is one poet you need to hear.

Tonight’s reading will also feature a guest appearance by the Galway based poet Eva Bourke.

Raised in Germany but resident in the West of Ireland for nearly 20 year where she teaches Creative Writing at U.C.G., Eva has published 4 collections of poetry including the highly praised Spring in Henry Street and Travels with Gandolpho (2002)

Tickets £4 available from the Festival Office on 028 90232403

Further information www.ritaannhiggins.com