Among the events scheduled at Anam Cara in 2005 are:

Workshop Schedule

This year’s workshops begin the first week of June, run intermittently through the summer, and end the first week of October. For a description of each of the nine on offer and information about those who will lead them, please visit our workshop schedule.

Peter Berry - Celtic Harper
In Concert at Anam Cara Retreat Center , Eyeries
Sunday, July 24 th 9:00 pm

Admission Fee
Proceeds benefit the Beara Community Arts Association

Peter Berry from Seattle plays the Celtic Harp in response to a deep spiritual affinity for the instrument.

His harp (pictured above) is a replica of a Medieval Irish Harp which was made for Peter by Ogham Harps in Kenmare. Strung with brass strings under high tension, it features a soundbox carved from a single block of willow, and a soundboard of 2,000-year- old bog pine. The resulting clear, resonant sound is amazing!

Specializing in traditional slow airs, Peter combines harp music with storytelling and poetry in the ancient Bardic tradition of Ireland .

For tickets contact Sue Booth Forbes PHONE!!
Or e-mail her at anamcararetreat@eircom.net

Cupla Focal (”A Couple of Words”)
Friday, 15 April 2005, 9:00 P.M.

Nuala Fitzgerald’s highly acclaimed one woman show, Cupla Focal is a collection of her favourite “words, verses, lyrics, excerpts and dramatic enactments” from O’Casey, Yeats and Flann O’Brien to Shaw, Neruda and Gogarty, and then on again to Joyce, John Lennon, Dorothy Parker, Ogden Nash and even to the irrepressible Spike Milligan.

“…..a scintillating celebration of the written word, spoken from the heart”
Donald MacSween, Patron, former Director general, National Art Centre, Ottawa , Canada

Dublin-born actress Nuala Fitzgerald’s extensive stage and screen appearances span the US, Canada and Ireland. She has worked with film directors such as David Cronenberg, and opposite lead actors Richard Burton, Christopher Plummer, and Elliot Gould. Her show was created to raise funds associated with national philanthropic organisations.

All proceeds will go to Amnesty International.

Launch of Book by Castletownbere Author
19th June 2005

After an exemplary career in broadcast journalism for the BBC and ITV, Denis Tuohy has written a fascinating account of his experience of the people and events that have shaped our world since the 1960s. His book, Wide-eyed in Medialand: A Broadcaster's Journey, will be launched in Belfast in May and at Anam Cara on Sunday, 19 June 2005. According to Trevor McDonald, "Tuohy is a master storyteller. He has a journalist's eye for detail and writes with charm and unfailing wit" Michael Parkinson says, "A fascinating account of a life full of incident and laughter. Denis Tuohy spent 40 years in television, didn't waste a moment of it and seems to have enjoyed every minute."

Residency for 11th Fish International Short Story Second Prize Winner

Jo Campbell from London, England, has won Second Prize for her short story, “In the Desert,” a woman’s story of recovery following her husband’s death. She will read from her story at the launch of this year’s anthology at the end of June and take up her one-week residency at Anam Cara in the fall of this year. Congratulations, Jo, on a tremendous story!

Irish/American Alumni Exhibition in October
30th October

Sarah Robinson from Graiguenamanagh in Co. Kilkenny in Ireland and Mary Eileen Sorenson from St. Paul, Minnesota, in the USA are preparing for a joint exhibition at Anam Cara, the opening of which will be the afternoon, Sunday, 30 October. To celebrate Samaim, Sarah and Mary Eileen will be showing work produced for the most part while they were artists-in-residence at the same time on two different occasions.