Adult Courses

This course is suitable for previous attendees and newcomers alike. As a continuation from last year, the tutor will present further poems by William Butler Yeats and Seamus Heaney while introducing you to a selection of writing from Roddy Doyle and Paula Meehan. This, together with back copies of The Sunday Times Magazine's, 'A Life in the Day' interview will form a springboard to lively discussion and inspiration for your personal creativity. You will explore your own ideas through a mix of poetry and prose, enabling you to consider your identity, who you are and where you would like to be. Your writing may be factual or take the shape of short stories, poetry or even the start of a novel.

Over the course of the week, we will be looking at the following:

William Butler Yeats

- Sailing to Byzantium

- He wishes for the Cloths of Heaven

- Broken Dreams

- The Host of the Air

Seamus Heaney

- Poem

- Personal Helicon

Roddy Doyle

- Extracts from Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha

Paula Meehan

- A Child's Map of Dublin

A life in the day of …

- Back page of The Sunday Times

You will need to bring pen and paper or a laptop if you prefer.

I will supply copies of the texts

Looking forward to meeting with you.

Geraldine Gent

BA:21, PGCE, MA

About Geraldine

Geraldine Gent graduated from the University of Sussex: MA in Creative and Critical Writing, 2019 where she focussed on the work of Elizabeth Bowen. She has had an essay published in The Elizabeth Bowen Review.

She has also completed her debut novel: Ellen. It is inspired by the life of her grandmother who was a farmer in North Cork close to where Bowen's Court once stood. Geraldine spent her childhood summers there.

She taught English Language and Literature at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys where she received the grade of 'Outstanding' from Ofsted. She wrote lesson plans for the BBC website.

She promises to provide a stimulating and lively environment enabling participants to write with flair and creativity.