Athlone writing group to launch new booklet of writings

The Castle Writers' Group published a new digital collection of writing in 2020 and will launch the printed booklet at Athlone Library this Thursday.

The book contains a mixture of poems, short stories and essays.

Editor Margaret Franklin volunteered to compile the booklet and kept in touch with the writers by phone and email during the pandemic when they could not meet in person.

Ms Franklin explained the reasoning behind the name of the booklet, 'Out of the Cocoon.' “Because we were all cocooned, we couldn't go out. Most of us are in our seventies and now we've been released like butterflies and sharing our writings.”

The first piece of writing in the booklet is a poem by Noreen O'Rourke called 'Cocooned' which details the feelings of loneliness experienced during lockdown.

The group had to pay for printing itself as grants previously available have been discontinued and the group is trying to recoup their expenses with the selling of the booklet.

Six authors contributed to the booklet and there are around twelve members in the writers' group.

Retired librarian Geaorid O'Brien will officially launch the booklet in Athlone Library on Thursday, March 24, at 6.30pm.

The Castle Writers Group was founded in 2003.

The group of writers meet at Athlone library every three weeks to read their poems and short stories and encourage each other in their creative efforts. Sometimes, members give public readings and have published their writings.

The writers' group will celebrate its 20 year anniversary next year.