The launch will take place in the group’s base at Easi Artists Studios, Tobarteascáin, Ennis on Wednesday November 26.
The book consists of a selection of work from members of the writing group each reflecting their own style of writing.
The cover art of the anthology includes an image of dandelion seeds. The image and title references the groups journey and the blossoming of Inis Creative Writers Group where it landed.
ICWG was set up by the Clare Arts Office initially in 2010 and self-ran from 2011. From its inception ICWG has been a life-line to many writers who attended the beloved round room hub by the river Fergus at The Rowan Tree Café Bar in Ennis and now frequent Easi Artists Studios.
The group facilitates public readings at intervals and encourages collaborations with other groups. They have been involved with The Clare Poetry Collective (CPC), The Ennis Book Club Festival, Ennis Street Art Festival, The Record Break Café, The Muxz ensemble, Culture Night and Easi Studios Arts Nights over the years.
The group was forced to suspend activities in March 2020 when their base closed due to Covid-19 pandemic considerations. A few members held Zoom meetings that kept the ICWG flame lit.
When the comrades reemerged, in September 2022, to restart meetings, the sad news broke that their cherished base was permanently closed.
A space was rented in the Studio Theatre at glór for a time and St Columba’s Church for another period until a more permanent base was found at Easi Artists Studios in Tobarteascáin.
From this base the group offers weekly meetings every Wednesday for 6:30pm-8:30pm for writers working in all genres, where members share their work. Once a month there is a workshop for members which is facilitated by various members. This takes place on the last Wednesday of every month. In addition to this there is a monthly ‘Round Table’, novelists support group on another evening.
In this setting, members have performed at Ennis Arts Nights and Culture Night readings organised by DnA Productions (2023, 2024).
Many members have published and launched their work while attending the inspiring and supportive weekly meetings.
ICWG published their first Anthology, ‘Over The Bridge’, in 2012. In the interim the group produced a chapbook, ‘Read me and Leave me’.
