LANGUAGE IS sometimes called a tongue, and language can impress, inspire, taunt, hurt, and frighten. Given the latter power, Galway poet Rita Ann Higgins has coined a new word, 'Tongulish'.
'Tongulish' combines 'tongue' and 'ghoulish' and it is the title of her latest collection of poetry, to be published by Bloodaxe Books on April 21, and she will also be reading from her work at a number of events at this year's Cúirt International Festival of Literature.
Rita Ann will join fellow Galway writers Elaine Feeney and Mike McCormack, and the St Patrick's Brass Band at the Cúirt opening on April 17 at 7pm in the Hotel Meyrick; she will read at the Town Hall Theatre on April 23 at 6.30pm, along with Colette Bryce and Karen Solie; and take part in the discussion, Women Objects - Leading The Disruptions, Inspirations, Aspirations, also at the Town Hall on April 24 at 3.15pm.
The collection features poems such as 'A Field Day', about people who live and work in slums; 'Flight' about a woman from South Sudan who has to flee with her children; and 'The Middle Man', about men who sit stools apart in a pub in Mayo; to the unsung heroins of Irish freedom in 'The Women of 1916'.
Rita Ann Higgins has published 10 collections of poetry, a memoir, six stage plays, and one screen play. She has been awarded numerous prizes and awards, and is a member of Aosdána.
