Thursday 28th November sees the launch of two new books by the Abbey Press, Newry.
The Press, established in 1997 at the Abbey Grammar School, is a local enterprise that has now published fifteen titles to date. Co-founded by English teacher, Mel McMahon, and poet, Adrian Rice, the Abbey Press has emerged as one of the most successful small presses in Ireland. As Boyd Tonkin recently said in The Independent “… the Abbey Press is among the ambitious small publishers that have moved mountains for Irish Literature.”
Although the Abbey Press has printed many books of poetry, essays, and books of social history, and is fortunate to have many established writers on its books, A Conservation Piece, a recent title, is undoubtedly its most ambitious project to date. This anthology, which consists of poetry and art, is a joint venture with the Ulster Museum, Belfast, and is the result of several years’ hard work. Chairperson of MAGNI, Margaret Elliot, instrumental in securing funds for the project, approached local shipping company director, Walter Jenkins of Jenkins’ Shipping, who was quick to see the value in promoting his company, and the arts, through the sponsorship of this worthwhile collaboration.
Once funding was secured, co-editors, Adrian Rice and Angela Reid then approached fifty well-known writers, including: Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney; Whitbread Prize Winner, Michael Longley; Oxford Professor of Poetry, Paul Muldoon; Trinity Lecturer, Brendan Kennelly and ex-hostage, Brian Keenan, among others. These writers then set about writing poetry that explored, or complemented, artwork held in the Ulster Museum’s collection. As a result, a host of artists such as Jack Butler Yeats, Sir John Lavery, Louis Le Brocquy, Barrie Cooke and Colin Middleton are all to be found in this stunning new collection.
The book has received much acclaim from many sectors of the media. Brian McAvera in Irish Arts Review recently claimed that: “…this is an admirable volume, stuffed with much excellent new work and graced by very fine reproductions…[it] is exactly the kind of publication to be encouraged: stylishly produced, food for the eye and mind and cheap at the price.”
A Conversation Piece will be launched along with the last poems of Northern Irish poet, Roy McFadden. A man of great integrity and vision, McFadden’s poems often possess a quiet rage aimed at the tolerance levels at which we often consent to live. A celebrant of family and friendship, he gained many admirers during the Troubles, including his editor, Dr. Sarah Ferris of Newcastle University, who praised McFadden for resisting “…the seductive trend towards poetry as a circus act.”
The Abbey Press is delighted to be launching these two titles at the Abbey Grammar School on Thursday 28th November at 7.00pm and all visitors are welcome to attend.
Anyone requiring information on the evening, anyone wishing to purchase a book, or anyone wanting to find out how they can become a patron of Abbey Press (to secure limited edition signed and numbered deluxe copies), should contact Mel McMahon at the Abbey Grammar School on 028 302 63142. Alternatively you can visit the Abbey Press website at www.geocities.com/abbeypress/ or you can send an email to Molly71Freeman@aol.com.
Many thanks,
Mel McMahon