Most of my research into Jewtown came from the 1901 and 1911 census. While sparse, some of the information was fascinating to me and gave me a spark of an idea to write a poem to reimagine what life must have been like for the people living in the various houses. One man that jumped out […]
Category: Jewtown
Deconsecration of South Terrace Synagogue
The Jewish Community reported on the deconsecration of the South Terrace Synagogue in Cork. They reported that about 85 people gathered at the Cork Hebrew Congregation on Sunday 7th February to mark the deconsecration of the 110-year old building, prior to the completion of its sale. According to the article, it was a “bittersweet service” which […]
The Last Sabbath at South Terrace
I attended the final Friday night service at South Terrace synagogue. I took a few photos of the place before the service began. My lasting memory was seeing Freddie Rosehill digging his crutch into the carpet before having to sit down.
South Terrace Synagogue is Closing
I received the sad news that the last remaining synagogue in Cork is to close its doors for the last time on the 7th February. South Terrace features in some of the poems in Jewtown. The synagogue was built at number 10 South Terrace in 1896 when the growing Jewish community of Cork needed a bigger premises […]
Upcoming Reading: Cork
I’m delighted to be one of the selected poets to read at the Cork Spring Poetry Festival during the O’Donoghue Prizewinner ceremony in the Cork Arts Theatre. It’s all happening on Saturday, 13th February from 2:45pm. I’ll be reading a few poems from Jewtown, including my shortlisted poem, Mary Daly.
Book Launch
I’m delighted to announce that my book, Jewtown, is due for publication in May, this year. I’m hoping to have the official launch in early to mid-May and travel around the country after that at different events. It’s getting very exciting!
Doire Press
I am also delighted and excited to read this announcement from Doire Press! I’m lucky to be one of five writers to be published in 2016 by this fantastic publishing house. I shall write more about this when I have calmed down!
Mary and Joseph living in Jewtown?
When you hear the names, Mary and Joseph, they aren’t names you’d probably associate with a Jewish couple. However, according to the 1901 census, there were 6 Jewish women called Mary in Cork. Joseph is a more common Hebrew name (Yosef) so it isn’t that surprising to find 18 of them in Cork. Mary and […]
Winners of Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Prize
Delighted to be a runner-up in this year’s Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Prize. The winner was John Mee from Cork, second from the left in the front row. The joint runners up were Jane Robertson, Liza Costello, Rosamund Taylor and me. At the back are Larry McDermott, MC; Brian Lynch, President of the Patrick Kavanagh Society and […]
Reading in Irish Jewish Museum
I had a wonderful time reading some of my poems in the Irish Jewish Museum over the weekend. I read 9 of my poems from Jewtown. The poems were preceded by the showing of an RTE interview on Gerald Goldberg. After my reading David Goldberg, (Gerald’s son), and two other Jewish men from Cork reminisced […]