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Legacy of the Irish Famine explored through poetic event

Legacy of the Irish Famine explored through poetic event

Thu, May 02, 2019

A unique event combining music, singing, spoken word and poetry exploring the legacy of the Irish Famine will take place at Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart on Friday 14th June at 8pm.

Performed by poet/writer Cherry Smyth alongside composer Ed Bennett and singer Lauren Kinsella, ‘Famished’ teases out the under examined role of colonialism in causing the largest migration of the 19th century.

Highly regarded as one of Ireland’s most accomplished poets, Cherry created this unique performance inspired by the current migration crisis which reminded her of the ‘coffin ships’ that carried many Irish across the Atlantic with the promise of new lives.

Bennett’s haunting musical score, combined with Smyth’s poetic voice and Kinsella’s singing, explores the cultural and historical significance of the Famine in an atmospheric and poignant event.

‘Famished’ was recently presented at the Dublin Literature Festival and will tour to the Belfast Book Festival and was published as a book-length poem in April of this year by Pindrop Press.

Tickets priced at £5 are available by visiting www.flowerfield.org. To find out more, visit Flowerfield’s website or contact the team on 02870831400.