Literature

**🎟️ Attendance is free but booking is essential.** Join us for an afternoon of poetry from award-winning writers Annelise Berghenti, Lily Blacksell and Rosamund Taylor. Themes will range from womanhood to the natural world; the everyday to the extraordinary, in a mixture of new work and recently published poems from Lily Blacksell’s collection *Life Immediately* (Bloodaxe, 2026), and Rosamund Taylor’s verse novel *Filly* (Banshee Press, 2025). Jessica Traynor, fellow Bloodaxe poet and Poetry Editor at *Banshee*, will introduce the event. #### ABOUT THE POETS ROSAMUND TAYLOR is the winner of the Rialto Poetry Prize 2025, the Telegraph Poetry Prize 2023, The London Magazine Poetry Prize 2020 and the Mairtín Crawford Award for Poetry 2017. In 2023, her debut collection, *In Her Jaws* (Banshee Press 2022), was shortlisted for the Seamus Heaney Poetry Prize for a First Collection and the Yeats Society Poetry Prize, and longlisted for the Polari First Book Prize. Her essays have recently appeared in *The Irish Times* *and The Stinging Fly*, and her poems have featured in *Butcher’s Dog, Magma, Mslexia, Poetry Ireland Review* and on BBC Radio 4 and RTE Radio 1. *Filly*, her novel in verse, was published by Banshee last year. LILY BLACKSELL is a poet living in London. Her poems have appeared in Poetry Review, BOMB Magazine, Bath Magg, Poetry London, Poetry Wales and elsewhere. She runs a poetry and music night called Canon Fodder. Her two pamphlets are *There’s No Such Thing* (ignition press) and *Stressed, Tested* (Rough Trade Books). Her first full-length collection, *Life Immediately*, is published by Bloodaxe Books. ANNELISE BERGHENTI is a poet living in Dublin, where she grew up. She has an MFA in poetry from Columbia University and her poems have been published by *Banshee*, *Headstuff*, *Rainbow Agate*, and other publications.

We're hosting another in-person writing session in the Old Town Café once more. What is a write-together? It's a couple of focused writing sprints (30 mins each) with breaks in between for for snacks and chats. It's a chance to get some writing done *and* to meet other writers. All are welcome, old hands and newbies alike, and you can write whatever you like. To find us, seek out the people with laptops and notebooks (and I'll have a table sign if I remember to pack it!)

"Grace” from Joyce’s *Dubliners* is a tale of booze, bombast and religious confusion that brilliantly satirises the role of the Catholic Church in early twentieth century Irish life. When struggling salesman, Tom Kernan (who also appears in *Ulysses*), is found drunk and injured in a pub toilet and brought home in disgrace to his long suffering wife, his friends hatch a plot to save him from his errant ways. [Please secure your own ticket on Eventbrite.](https://jamesjoyce.ie/events/bloomsday-festival-2026-grace-by-james-joyce/) This acclaimed production features the actor and comedian, **Terry O’Neill**, who brings to life Joyce’s rare collection of characters and takes you on a hilarious journey from purgatory to paradise. *Dubliners*, first published in 1914, is one of the great short story collections in the English language. By exploring the lives of his fellow Dublin citizens with unflinching realism, Joyce revealed truths both blasphemous and transcendent. “O’Neill does a terrific job…. comic ironies abound…” Irish Independent ‘O’Neill brings considerable energy and skill as the narrator’ Nomoreworkhorse

**[The James Joyce Centre](https://www.jamesjoyce.ie/ "https://www.jamesjoyce.ie")** presents ***Grace* by James Joyce** as part of the Bloomsday Festival on **14-16 June**. **PLEASE BUY YOUR OWN TICKET AT EVENTBRITE.IE** https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/bloomsday-festival-2026-grace-by-james-joyce-tickets-1987515094149?aff=ebdsoporgprofile&_gl=1\*194dnqy\*_up\*MQ..\*_ga\*NTc0MDA4MDI1LjE3ODAyNDkzMDQ.\*_ga_TQVES5V6SH\*czE3ODAyNDkzMDMkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODAyNDkzMDMkajYwJGwwJGgw **I bought mine for 14/06/2026 at 1 pm.** "Grace" from Joyce's *Dubliners* is a tale of booze, bombast and religious confusion that brilliantly satirises the role of the Catholic Church in early twentieth century Irish life. When struggling salesman, Tom Kernan (who also appears in *Ulysses*), is found drunk and injured in a pub toilet and brought home in disgrace to his long suffering wife, his friends hatch a plot to save him from his errant ways. This acclaimed production features the actor and comedian, **Terry O’Neill**, who brings to life Joyce’s rare collection of characters and takes you on a hilarious journey from purgatory to paradise. *Dubliners*, first published in 1914, is one of the great short story collections in the English language. By exploring the lives of his fellow Dublin citizens with unflinching realism, Joyce revealed truths both blasphemous and transcendent.

10 players to be selected for the International 7 a side tournament..

Join us for this interesting movie...Through her personal letters, the film offers an intimate look at the Mexican artist’s life, emotions, and artistic vision - featuring new material from the 2026 Tate Britain and MFA Houston Kahlo exhibition. NB. tickets can be booked up quickly so best to book online ASAP 👍 😍 We're in balcony seat p11

As you walk in the hotel, turn right from the bar, and you’ll find another bar where drinks are served.
We’re right behind. This meetup is free to attend. Just grab and pay for your own drink when you order to support the bar and keep things cool with the venue.

Hi all, We'll meet at Insomnia at the Jervis Luas stop from 10am for a chat and some breakfast. Then we'll head to the 10:45am screening of Disclosure Day in Cineworld. Book your tickets three rows from the back (row K) to sit together or wherever you prefer. See you all then! Ann.

Straw hats and Joycean attire not compulsory but certainly (heavily) encouraged. :-) "Come forth, Lazarus. And he came fifth and lost the job" (Ulysses, chapter 8). Let's celebrate Bloomsday by having a swim in Joycean attire. **Read** The final lines of Molly's soliloquy (obviously not all 40 pages of it), will be read. **Swim** Let's have a dive into the snotgreen and scrotumtightening sea. The swim is at your own risk! We are no lifeguards and we only arrange the meeting point. Make sure you have enough layers to keep warm before and after the swim, bring something warm to drink too. Some wear wetsuits, others don't so, some want to swim a bit of distance, others just want dip and get out - it's your swim, do what you want and meet us after... **Eat** Having demonstrated our incredible bravery, we will continue our adventure at a local café (time and venue TBC later, will try and source one that hopefully provides Joycean fare). Eating and drinking are at your own risk too. Will your eyes be bigger than your stomach? Don't leave it too late to sign up for the swim so I can book enough seats in the café afterwards. If you have questions, comments, suggestions, post them in comments for this swim. Browse discussions if you want to ask about the group or other events. See you on Sunday June 14. My number 0860597787

During social tennis, you’ll play several matches and rally, meet new people… and play a wide range of playing abilities with those who have played tennis before! It is suitable to all players but if you have not played before, please consider joining at least a few group lessons before considering social tennis… 😊 Please join my group chat for social tennis below 👇 Https://chat.whatsapp.com/G60iuOQFYm3E6p5yogUo21?mode=ems_copy_t

**Our June novel is: *The Eights* by Joanna Miller** **This month’s novel is set during World War I. It’s a 20th-century historical fiction story about friendship and war, with coming-of-age elements and a slightly haunted tone. The book is 384 pages in print and 10 hours and 9 minutes on audiobook.** Oxford, 1920. For the first time in its one-thousand-year history, Oxford University officially admits female students. Burning with dreams of equality, four young women move into neighboring rooms in Corridor 8. Beatrice, Dora, Marianne, and Otto—collectively known as The Eights—come from all walks of life, each driven by their own motives, each holding tight to their secrets, and are thrown into an unlikely, unshakable friendship. Dora was never meant to go to university, but, after losing both her brother and her fiancé on the battlefield, has arrived in their place. Politically-minded Beatrice, daughter of a famous suffragette, sees Oxford as a chance to make her own way - and some friends her own age. Otto was a nurse during the war but is excited to return to her socialite lifestyle in Oxford where she hopes to find distraction from the memories that haunt her. And finally Marianne, the quiet, clever daughter of a village pastor, who has a shocking secret she must hide from everyone, even her new friends, if she is to succeed. Among the historic spires, and in the long shadow of the Great War, the four women must navigate and support one another in a turbulent world in which misogyny is rife, influenza is still a threat, and the ghosts of the Great War don’t always remain dead.

Join the CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group for a dynamic afternoon of B2B networking! This event is perfect for professionals looking to expand their business connections, share insights, and foster collaboration within the community. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this event offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and grow your network in a supportive environment. Connect with like-minded individuals, explore potential partnerships, and discover new opportunities for professional growth. Don't miss out on this chance to enhance your business network and take your career to the next level with CONNECTED Westerville Mastermind Group! We meet the 4th Monday of every month from 11am-1pm. Welcome and general networking from 11am - 11:30am with core meeting 11;30 - 12:30 and a final round of networking from 12:30 - 1pm.

Welcome, readers! Our June read is ***Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible*** ***Voyage*** **by Alfred Lansing.** A work of nonfiction, and one of the most astonishing survival stories in history, we follow Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew after their ship is crushed by Antarctic ice. Stranded in one of the harshest environments on Earth, the men endure months of isolation, freezing temperatures, and near starvation—yet refuse to give up hope. Lansing brings their ordeal to life through vivid detail and firsthand accounts, capturing both the brutality of nature and the resilience of the human spirit. At its core, the story is a powerful testament to leadership, perseverance, and the unbreakable will to survive against impossible odds. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **all** **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

This month we’ll be reading Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel. Feel free to come even if you don’t finish the book!

Join us for our June Book Club gathering where we will come together to discuss [The Queer Principles of Kit Webb](https://catsebastian.com/the-queer-principles-of-kit-webb/) by Cat Sebastian in a safe and welcoming environment. Make new friends who share your passion for books and connect with fellow LGBTQ book enthusiasts.