Bridge Across Difference – Cross Border Literature Programme

On Tuesday 22nd November, our groups from Omagh, Manorhamilton, Kiltyclogher, and Cavan Libraries travelled to Enniskillen Library for our very first meet-the-author event!

Our first author was Martina Devlin, who is an award-winning columnist for the Irish Independent and podcaster for Dublin City of Literature #CityofBooks, discussing and answering questions on her new novel Edith, which is based on the life of Irish novelist Edith Somerville

The book is set during the turbulent period of Irish Independence 1921–22, Somerville finds herself at a crossroads. Her position as a member of the Ascendancy is perilous as she struggles to keep her family home, Drishane House in West Cork, while others are burned out. After years in a successful writing partnership with Violet Martin, Edith continues to write after her partner’s death, comforted in the belief they continue to connect through automatic writing and séances.

Against a backdrop of Civil War politics and lawlessness erupting across the country, people across Ireland are forced to consider where their loyalties lie.

The story of Somerville and Ross is unique in the history of Irish women writers. Academic Shawn R. Mooney described these best-selling authors as ‘undeniably New Women: single, educated and economically independent writers whose lives and literary collaboration were unique manifestations of late-nineteenth-century feminist strivings toward political and sexual equality. Devlin depicts Edith in the round, suffering from loss, striving for safety, and keeping hold of hope in this captivating narrative set in the early years of a nascent state — a triumph of ventriloquism rooted in a society on the cusp of change.

Martina read from Edith and answered lots of questions from all our participants. Everyone was very keen to ask Martina questions about the book and her writing. very good conversations on #Peace #CrossBorder #Respect #Neighbors.

We would like to say a huge Thank You to everyone at all the libraries for making this possible and especially to Enniskillen Library for looking after us all, making us all very welcome, and of course the refreshments.

A lovely evening was had by all and we look forward to meeting again in Omagh in February 2023, to meet our second Author Rachael English – to chat about her book ‘The Letter Home’

Michael Mullin – Better Together – Níos Fearr Le Chéile Project Co-ordinator, Martina Devlin and Máirín Martin – Chairperson Ballinamore Area Community Council CLG