Manchester Irish Writers

It was with great sadness that Manchester Irish Writers learned of the death of one of their members, Stella-Marie Hinchcliffe. RIP.
Stella joined the group in the late nineties and in later years she moved away from Manchester but still kept in touch. We were pleased to hear of her return to Prestwich again and we were greatly honoured to have her in attendance at the launch of ‘Life and Soul’ at the end of May, when we celebrated our 30th anniversary.
During her time with us she made an outstanding contribution both with her writing and in a supportive role where spent her generous time encouraging other writers and co-editing two publications.
We were never sure where Stella called home as her biography in the publications always stated that she lived somewhere between poetry and the pages of her first novel.
She was always proud of her Irish ancestry and her Dublin born grandfather. Her love of writing started in childhood and remained with her throughout life. She studied Art and was awarded a degree in Graphic Design. She taught creative writing and music and was twice winner of the Manchester Library Literary Prize. She was a founder member of ‘Never Bury Poetry’ prior to joining the Manchester Irish Writers.

Following Stella’s death, I revisited her poetry and stories and once again I was enveloped in the same enjoyment and stimulation that I experienced when she first shared them. Her artistic talents are evident in her vivid imagery, her creative awareness of experience, relationships and feelings which she seamlessly conveys in a choice and arrangement of strong, interesting words where her language paints a stimulating picture into which one is immediately and emotively drawn.

I have included below one of her poems; 'Change of Place' from the ‘Retting Dam’ collection which we published in 2001 and which she co-edited. She actually chose the title for that collection from one of my poems, of that name, as she imagined the book as a pool holding many interesting pieces of writing below its surface, into which one could dip and retrieve some wonderful gems from the treasury of the Manchester Irish Writers.

Stella will be sadly missed by all her fellow writers, but we will have touching memories of her and her great legacy of creative work will remain with us in our collections to revisit and enjoy.

Stella’s funeral and celebration of life will be held at St Margaret’s Church, Bury Old Road, Prestwich on Thursday 10th October at 10.30 am. The family have invited all her friends to join them there and suggest that they wear bright clothes and bring along any memories or writings that they my wish to share.

The Manchester Irish Writers offer their sincere condolences to Stella’s husband, Robert, and all the family.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Change of Place

I knew that it had ended
the day we drove back,
knew instinctively.

An unmistakeable chill lingered,
airless, as the sun climbed the outhouse
roof, in a deep blue flax of sky which

didn’t wait for the storm to break. Instead
of gardening I wandered the farm; a
mare had birthed in one of the barns,

there had been difficulty. Now she
slept, as her foal pressed against
her breathless silence.

Soon would be parting, a reason,
you may think, for me to know,
sooner or later that I should leave.

Sunflowers, soldier tall, withered
in the fields, dying as they stood;
they told me that’s how they did things here:

you had to wait for death before a harvest.

Stella-Marie Hinchcliffe.

The picture below was taken in 2001 at the official launch of the 'The Retting Dam' by Polly Devlin. OBE, joined here with the group members including Stella who is first right in the front row.

Posted by Rose Morris.

Irish World Heritage Centre Kevin McMahon Martha Ashwell Consulate General of Ireland, Manchester Alrene Hughes St Margaret Prestwich Mary Mc Gonaglejohnson

We had a wonderful celebration last night at the Irish World Heritage Centre of Manchester Manchester Irish Writers 30th anniversary and the official launch of our book ' Life and Soul', a retrospective collection of our work from 1994 -2024, published to mark this very special milestone in our creative journey.
We were delighted to have a full house with many writers from the past and many making enquiries as to how they can join the group.

We would like to thank most sincerely our special guests and supporters. We were delighted to have Sarah Mangan, Consul General from the Consulate General of Ireland, Manchester who kindly officiated at the launch, and Professor John McAuliffe from Manchester University Centre For New Writing, a great adviser and supporter of the group and Dr Liam Harte, unable to be with us but a great supporter over the years too.
We also thank Alrene Hughes, a Co-founder of the Manchester Irish Writers, and Coordinator of the group for twenty years thereafter. We were pleased that past writer and Co-editor, Stella Hinchcliffe joined us again.
It was a wonderful evening of readings and shared thoughts with interludes of traditional music provided by St Wilfrids CCE Branch - IWHC Manchester and step dances performed by Claddagh Association of Adult Irish Dance We offer our sincere thanks to both talented groups.
We all enjoyed the a wonderful welcome and true Irish hospitality from the staff at the Irish World Heritage Centre with their own home baked Irish soda bread and barm brack, a big thanks Charlene Boylan staff and volunteers for this.
Watch out for recorded coverage of the occasion by Gerry Molumby for the The Irish Post Martin and Annette from Irish In The UK TV & OutandAbout InManchester Joe Lowry Wythenshawe FM / WFM community media Joe and Claire On Eire and Tommy Marron Midwest Radio
If you, were unable to attend our celebration please look out now for our 'Life and Soul' book on sale on Amazon or from Manchester Irish Writers

I must also say a big 'Thanks' to all the writers past and present who contributed to the 'Life and Soul' to enable Kevin McMahon our coordinator and editor, to produce a fantastic retrospective collection covering a range of genres from inspirational poetry to drama, historical fiction to narrative non-fiction, short stories to extracts from novels.
Michelle O'Leary Martha Ashwell Manchester Irish Barbara Aherne Bridie Breen Irish Embassy London Zhara Ní Threinfhir Commonword Mary Mc Gonaglejohnson Marion Therese Riley Eileen Holroyd Annette Sills Author Ann Heathcote Patricia Mc Aleese Desmond Farry Sue Jeans

Posted by Rose Morris

Manchester Irish Writers very excited as 'Life and Soul', a retrospective collection of 30 years of their writing, arrived today. Trilled to hold the real book, the dream a reality!

Watch for the launch of this book at the Irish World Heritage Centre shortly and for availability check the usual online book sales.
Irish In The UK TV Martha Ashwell Consulate General of Ireland, Manchester Irish Mancunian Manchester Irish Manchester Irish Language Group Manchester History with Dean Kirby Alrene Hughes Hannah's Bookshelf Manchester Literature FestivalInteresting Literature Listowel Writers' Week Annette Sills Author Crean - The Extraordinary Life of an Irish Hero

Manchester Irish Writers are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year and have plans for a range of events in the coming months which will include the launch of a retrospective collection of their work from 1994-2024 in a book entitled 'Life and Soul'.

The Writers launched their first book, 'At the End of The Rodden' in 1997 after three years in existence. The photograph below shows a few of the Writers at that time, Mary Wilner, the late Anna Brogan, Mary Mc Gonaglejohnson, Rose Morris, Marion Riley and Finn Deloughry, at a meeting admiring that publication.

Good news. Well done Patrick !

Patrick Slevin, member of Manchester Irish Writers, has had his poem ‘The Cat’ published in issue 2 New Isles Press. There will be two launches of this publication. The first will be on Thursday 1st Feb 14.00pm at the TURAS Irish Language Centre East Belfast Building and Charlie Byrne's bookshop, Galway on the 8th March at 18.00pm.
Issue 2 New Isles Press presents a collection of resident writers from across Ireland and the UK and is a celebration of the shared language traditions, Irish, Welsh, Ulster Scots and Scots Gaelic all in English translation.

To date Patrick’s work has appeared in Poetry Ireland Review, The Cormorant, Skylight 47, The Poets’ Republic, The Manchester Review, Ink, Sweat and Tears, The Interpreter's House, and The Blue Nib, and has also been featured on RTE's Poem of the Day.

Manchester Irish Writers Manchester Irish Writers are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year and have planned a range of events in the coming months and will be launching a retrospective collection of their work from 1994-2024 in a book entitled ' Life and Soul'.
Manchester Irish Writers Manchester Irish Language Group Hannah's Bookshelf Manchester Irish Irish In The UK TV Liverpool Irish Festival Manchester Irish Language Group Consulate General of Ireland, Manchester Irish Mancunian Irish World Heritage Centre
Watch this space for more information and dates.

Just in case you missed Bridie Breen, Manchester Irish Writers reading her 3 minute Imbolc story yesterday you can tune in again below:
https://www.mixcloud.com/Hannahs_Bookshelf/hannahs-bookshelf-imbolc-special-27012024/?fbclid=IwAR2rdO5W1KMokviiZ06Qlt7Odynyelpfc2UdvD45jzsp9-sKRRbNNYF3vj4
Irish World Heritage Centre Manchester Irish Language Group Manchester Irish
Posted by Rose Morris

Hannah’s Bookshelf Imbolc Special - 27/01/2024 It’s the Hannah’s Bookshelf Imbolc Special. Join me for a special seasonal edition of the show! Here’s what’s coming up… Original seasonal short stories from Tony Harrison, Lisa (aka noodleBubble!), Cath Barton, Bridie Breen… and yours truly! Plus some seasonal folklore, reading recommen...

Manchester Irish Writers send our best wishes to fellow member, Patrick Slevin, who is now travelling to Germany to take part in part in the Annual Conference of the Society for the Study of British Cultures in 'In-between Islands': Intra-relations between Britain and Ireland, at Kiel University, as one of two Keynote Speakers.
Congratulations Patrick!

Happy Publication Day to one of our members! Manchester Irish Writers are celebrating the release of 'The Happening at Bessbrook' by Martha Ashwell. Set in Ireland in 1904, the novel tells the story of Evie O'Dowd, a young mill worker who suffers a near-death experience and claims afterwards that she has seen heaven. It's an inspirational story of courage in the face of doubt and how personal faith and determination can lead to the greatest fulfillment. Many congratulations, Martha! 🎉💚

The Happening at Bessbrook The Happening at Bessbrook eBook : Ashwell, Martha: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Manchester Irish Writers are deeply saddened to announce the death of one of our much-loved members, Mary Walsh.

Mary died peacefully in the compassionate care of Nazareth House, Prestwich, on 27th of September 2021, aged 85 years, surrounded by her loving family.

Originally from Creggan, Co. Armagh, she arrived in Manchester at age eighteen to train as a nurse in Ancoats Hospital. Later she trained as a teacher and taught English in Thornleigh College in Bolton.

After she retired, her kitchen table was strewn with her own work in progress and her scribblings, as well as all the books she was reading at the time. It was always a pleasure to join her there in the aroma of home baking and share her scones as they came out of the oven.

Mary was the most kind-hearted and generous individual yet always very modest about her own writing. Her poems and stories were touching and heartfelt. Everybody was very moved by them and they were a real echo of Ireland for all who read or heard them. You can read her beautiful poem, ‘Primroses for Aisling’, here: http://manchesteririshwriters.blogspot.com/2016/09/primroses-for-aisling-poem.html

We will miss her greatly.

May she rest in peace
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam

North Manchester FM: Hannah's Bookshelf, Saturday 31 October, 2-4pm - Hannah Kate Join me on Saturday at 2pm on North Manchester FM for the Hannah’s Bookshelf Halloween Special. And it’s going to be a very special show this Halloween, as (fingers crossed) I will be broadcasting live from the actual North Manchester … Continue reading →

Congratulations Bridie Breen a member of Manchester Irish Writers who went viral yesterday in her lockdown celebration of Bloomsday in her own inimitable way. Well done!

https://www.facebook.com/bridie.breen/videos/10158696015687841/