Padraic Colum Gathering 2025 celebrates one of County Longford’s greatest writers

The Padraic Colum Gathering, which celebrates the work of one of Longford’s greatest writers will be held in Granard Community Library on Saturday, October 4. The event which runs from 10.30am to 3.30pm celebrates the work of Padraic Colum and his wife, Mary, who was also a writer and a literary critic. This celebratory event is organised by Longford County Library, Archives, Arts and Heritage Services, and supported by the Commemorations Programme run by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and Creative Ireland.

The morning session, running from 10.30am to 1pm, features two distinguished speakers. Dr David Clare a lecturer of Drama and English at Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick will speak about ‘Padraic Colum and 'Irish Orientalism'.’ The second guest speaker, Dr Katherine MacGloin is a consultant anaesthetist and writer, and also a relative of Colum. 

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The afternoon session will begin with the announcement of the winners of the ‘Colum for Our Time’ competitions for writers and illustrators in junior and senior categories. This initiative will be an ongoing part of the Gathering and aims to encourage writers to reimagine Colum’s work for a contemporary audience. The winning entries will be published in a book that will be launched at next year’s Granard Booktown Festival. The winning writers will read their works at the Gathering.

The celebratory event will also feature music, song and dance provided by members of the Culliney and Ryan families, including a rendition of ‘She Moves through the Fair,’ the ‘Song for Longford.’  

Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council, Cllr Garry Murtagh said, “The Padraic Colum Gathering is a wonderful way to promote the life and work of a very important County Longford writer. Colum’s legacy confirms County Longford as a cultural force on the national scene and gatherings like this ensure future generations understand why that matters.”

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Longford County Council Chief Executive, Paddy Mahon said, “County Longford has a strong literary tradition and events like the Padraic Colum Gathering help to maintain and ensure that his legacy continues to be celebrated. The programme strikes a delicate balance between highlighting the life of the Colum’s while also showcasing new creative work in County Longford.”

The Padraic Colum Gathering is open to all. For further information call Longford County Library and Archives on 043-3341124.