May 2006 NUI Galway publishes unique book by active retirement group

A unique book of short stories and poems by the Salthill/Knocknacarra Active Retirement Writers Group has just been published by the Adult and Continuing Education Centre, NUI Galway. 21 – An Anthology is edited by well-known Irish author Michael Gorman and contains the work of twenty-one senior writers from all over Ireland who have lived, worked in or retired to Galway.

"The book encapsulates, in their own words, the vivid memories and experiences of a talented group of writers now in their senior years. It has been a precious opportunity to retrieve a rich written heritage from this talented group. The stories and poems are of a high quality, yet retain an authenticity and rawness in style which will delight readers," commented Michael Gorman, a Programme Director at NUI Galway's International Summer School for Writers, who facilitated and compiled the book.

21 – An Anthology has originality and range which is unusual for a publication of this kind as the group of writers originate from all over Ireland and have lived all over the world.

NUI Galway's Adult and Continuing Education Centre has been involved in working with and supporting Active Retirement groups in Galway city and county for the past ten years. Under the tuition of writer Márie Holmes, the Salthill/Knocknacarra Active Retirement Writers Group developed their writing skills over the course of many years. The culmination of these efforts has been the publication of 21 – An Anthology.

Seamus O'Grady, Director of the Adult and Continuing Education Centre, commented on the book, "This anthology is a wonderful and tangible example of the talent among older people that NUI Galway has been working with and developing. The poignant part is that some of the authors have passed away since the time of writing and the book is dedicated to their memory. 21 – An Anthology therefore becomes an even more and precious collection of work".

21- Anthology is published by NUI Galway and can be purchased in local Galway bookshops and at Áras Fáilte, NUI Galway, for €10.