Anam Cara Writer's and Artist's Retreat

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Anam Cara Writer's and Artist's Retreat is a project in the village of Eyeries, County Cork, Ireland, which provides accommodation for writers and other creative workers. It was founded in 1998, and has hosted more than a thousand writers, artists, composers and choreographers since then.

Contents

History

The retreat centre is owned and directed by Sue Booth-Forbes, a teacher, writer, editor [1] Booth-Forbes, later holding several editorial positions. [2]

In November–December 1997 she searched with her daughter, and, after a hint from an academic writer friend, Claudia Harris, in December 1997 [1] purchased a property in the village of Eyeries, on the West Cork part of the Beara Peninsula. [3] This was launched as the Anam Cara Writers Retreat in summer 1998. [4] The retreat name, which means "soul friend," was chosen partly to pay tribute to the works of John O'Donohue. [5]

Over the more than twenty years, over 1,000 creative guests - writers, composers, choreographers, visual artists - [6] have visited. [4] Several guests have included dedications to its director in their issued work. [7]

Facilities and operations

The retreat house comprises a set of private rooms, and a number of common spaces, with a library in addition to books in most rooms. Within the grounds are private working locations have been developed, [6] in garden settings, by a duck pond, and on a landscaped river bank. There is also a sauna, and a hot tub. [7]

Anam Cara offers two broad types of retreat: guided and self-directed. The guided workshops, usually hosted by 1-2 coaches or teachers, and occupy several weeks each year. [8] For the rest of the year, creative guests can develop their own work. [9]

Artistic competitions, events and publication

The retreat has sponsored competitions for many years, with prizes including free visits to the facility. [10] [1] The location also hosts a range of events. [11]

The retreat has published a book, in aid of Pieta House, Diving into the Mystery: Studies in the Creative Process. [12]

Recognition and guests

Some who have commented on their experiences include Nessa O'Mahony, former US Poet Laureate Billy Collins, [13] [14] Alex Barclay, [15] Man Booker Award finalist Jhumpa Lahiri, [3] chef Gerry Galvin, Bernard O'Donoghue, Leanne O'Sullivan, [3] Sassa Buregren, Ulf Lindström and Réaltán Ní Leannáin.[ citation needed ]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Keogh, Jackie (18 July 2016). "The creative spirits flock to Beara's Anam Cara". The Southern Star. Retrieved 23 August 2019. Retreat Anam Cara is a special place for working writers, artists and academics, ... has also been listed as one of the top five retreats in the world.
  2. ↑ Booth-Forbes, Sue, ed. (1997). "(Masthead)". Exponent II. 20 (4). Arlington, Massachusetts: Exponent II, Inc.: 20.
  3. 1 2 3 Eggerz, Solveig (20 October 2014). "Anam Cara, on Ireland's West Coast, a Place that Nurtures Creativity". The Writer's Guide. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  4. 1 2 O'Connell, Sandra (16 March 2013). "Steal away to write that novel". The Irish Times.
  5. ↑ "(Home page)". Anam Cara Writer's & Artist's Retreat. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  6. 1 2 Mulcahy, Miriam (5 August 2017). "I want to be alone: solitary retreats for some quality me time". The Irish Times.
  7. 1 2 "A perfect place to write". The Irish Times. 12 November 2011.
  8. ↑ Booth-Forbes, Sue (20 August 2009). "The Workshop Schedule for 2010 -- So Far!". Anam Cara Writer's and Artist's Retreat. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  9. ↑ Booth-Forbes, Sue. "Your Own Retreat". Anam Cara Writer's and Artist's Retreat. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  10. ↑ "May 13th - Win a Retreat to Anam Cara". Beara News. 13 May 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2019. Two writing competitions, poetry and short fiction
  11. ↑ Booth-Forbes, Sue. "Anam Cara Events, including Through Our Eyes". Anam Cara Writer's and Artist's Retreat. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  12. ↑ Booth-Forbes, Sue. "Diving into the Mystery: Studies in the Creative Process". Anam Cara Writer's and Artist's Retreat. Retrieved 23 August 2019. In support of Pieta House Ireland...
  13. ↑ Moriarty, Mimi (October–November 2001). "Billy Collins as Soul Friend". IrishAmerica.com. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
  14. ↑ "Dispatches from Ireland – Anam Cara: A Shelter for Artists and Writers". The Bedford Citizen. 30 July 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  15. ↑ "A perfect place to write". The Irish Times. 12 November 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2019. Irish crime writer Alex Barclay has spent time at the centre for each...

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