On Tour

Written By Maria Noonan-McDermott

When I received my copy of 'Washing Windows V’ I was beyond excited to see my poem, 'The Empty chair' in print.

Washing Windows V is the final volume in the No 1 bestselling 'Washing Windows' series honouring the groundbreaking work of publisher Catherine Rose and Eavan Boland, Arlen House’s pioneering editor in the 1970s and 1980s.

This volume is the largest collection of Irish women’s poetry ever assembled and is an integral part of the celebrations of 50 years of Arlen House.

The Strokestown premiere, which I had the pleasure of reading at, was the biggest reading in the history of the Strokestown International Poetry Festival.

The Dundrum launch was a beautifully moving event in the home place of Eavan Boland, with her daughter Eavan reading.

These group readings, being hosted throughout Ireland and traveling to London and New York are wonderful events to witness the talent of contemporary Irish women writers.

Saturday 10 May, 2pm,

Dún Laoghaire, LexIcon, level 3, Dublin. 

Saturday 10 May, 2pm,  

Waterford Gallery of Art

Friday 16 May, 6pm, 

Charlie Byrne's Bookshop, Galway 

Saturday 17 May, 2pm           

Salmon Bookshop & Literary Centre, Ennistymon, Co. Clare 

Sunday 18 May 

invite only  RTE Poetry People

Wednesday 28 May, 6pm  

Deansgrange Library, Co. Dublin 

Tuesday 3 June, 6.30pm           

Irish Secretariat, Belfast 

Friday 6 June – invite only  

Manhattan, New York City

Tuesday 17 June, 6pm             

North Clondalkin Library, Dublin 

September                                 

Irish Literary Society, London

Maria Noonan-McDermott

Irish Artist Maria Noonan-McDermott Bio


Originally from Donegal, Irish artist and poet Maria Noonan McDermott now lives and works from her studio in Kinlough, Co. Leitrim.


Heavily influenced by the impressionist movement, her work focuses on the study of light and form in Irish landscapes.

With a love of folklore and story-telling, Noonan McDermott's influences lie in rural Ireland, it is in these magical places that share a colloquial history where stories and the people are often ingrained into the landscape.


I began my artistic career in Dublin in 1985 and qualified in Fashion and Design. I returned to college and completed a certificate in visual education before continuing on to study Fine Art. In the year 1990, I had my first solo exhibition of paintings. The feedback and encouragement I received helped direct me on my current path.


My work has always been influenced by a deep connection with the natural environment, the beautiful rugged Irish landscape with its endlessly changing skies and dramatic seas. I am equally fascinated by the people that the land holds so tightly and am firmly bound in kinship with their poetic writing, their stories and soulful lyrics.


I've always been in awe of the storyteller, those gifted people who so fluidly guide you into their fantasy worlds, who submerge you so deeply, you cry, laugh and often seethe with anger and frustration. To me, this is true magic, possessing the rare skill of creating something from nothing, evoking such passion and emotion.


Growing up I found words didn't come so easily to me, art and writing became my outlet. I was transformed into the 'Cailleach Feasa', the storyteller. I recorded and recollected all the tales from times gone by, breathing life back into places and quirky characters I met along the way.


I was raised in a small village in Donegal and like most small communities in Ireland, it was filled with the most amazing characters.


As a child, my head was filled with fantastical stories told and dramatised by neighbours and family, the gatekeepers of local history. These tales, were, of course, exaggerated and embellished with such fun and gusto, like only true Irish seanchai can, that I couldn't help growing up with a great love of the people around me and all their fascinating antics.


In my work, I narrate the stories with colour and humour as over the years they've formed and shaped in my memory.
My paintings become the text and you the reader and as the reader, you are challenged to participate and choose your own journey. Thus, enabling the story to live all over again!


This attachment is ingrained in my work and I strive to bring forth its warmth in the most honest and pure way I know how.

https://www.marianoonan-mcdermott.com
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