A special series of talks to celebrate the official opening of the Walter Macken commemorative display will take place in Oughterard Courthouse next week.
Celebrating the centenary of his birth, Oughterard was home to the famous Irish writer from 1951 to 1966 when he penned several novels, including The Bogman (1952 ), Sunset on the Windowpanes (1954 ), Seek the Fair Land (1959 ), The Scorching Wind (1966 ) and The Brown Lord of the Mountain (1967 ).
The talks will begin on Thursday August 27 when the commemorative display will be officially opened. Son Ultan Macken will present a talk entitled “Dreams on Paper –the Life of Walter Macken” followed by a question and answer session and discussion led by members of one of the local book clubs. That will be followed with a talk by Fr Walter Macken entitled “The Realistic World of Walter Macken”.
The following evening (August 28, 7.30pm ), Galway’s historian Tom Kenny will give an illustrated talk on his uncle, entitled “ Walter Macken - The Man I Knew”. Kenny, who enjoyed many childhood occasions at his uncle’s Oughterard home, will present his talk with some 50 illustrations. It will also be followed by a question and answer session and discussion led by members of a second book club.
Tea, coffee and refreshments will be provided on both evenings. The cost of each talk is: adults €5, concession €3, family €1-. To book email: [email protected].
