Masterclass From Award-Winning Irish Writer At June Retreat
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
‘Ireland Writing Retreat’ is absolutely delighted to announce that one of the nation’s leading authors, actors and playwrights will be an exceptional guest at next month’s retreat (June 29 - July 5) in beautiful Donegal on the inspiring ‘Wild Atlantic Way.’
Multi-talented, award-winning, Michael Harding, who is also a long-time columnist for Ireland’s leading national newspaper, The Irish Times, will travel to Donegal to host a special 90-minute Writing Masterclass workshop entitled ‘Purpose, Passion and Perception: Three Keys to a Good Story’ the first in a series of Masterclasses by established, best-selling authors at future ‘Ireland Writing Retreat’ events.
One of the most respected contemporary writers in Ireland today, Michael's many writing prizes during his prolific career have included the Non-Fiction Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards for his memoir, ‘Staring at Lakes.’ He was also shortlisted for the Irish Times Aer Lingus Literature Award and was Writer in Residence at Trinity College Dublin.
Michael’s memoirs blend spirituality with melancholy, humour and the essence of rural Irish life. Drawing on themes of love, loss, memory, renewal and the enduring power of human connection, he has attracted a devoted following. His bestselling memoirs include 'On Tuesdays I’m a Buddhist,' 'Staring at Lakes,' 'All Things Left Unsaid,' 'Midwinter,' 'Hanging with the Elephant,' 'Talking to Strangers,' 'Chest Pain,' 'What is Beautiful in the Sky' and his latest, 'I loved Him From the Day He Died.' His body of literary work also includes novels 'Bird in the Snow,' 'The Trouble with Sarah Gullion' and 'Priest.'
Praise for Michael’s work is immense.
‘Absorbing and graced with a deceptive lightness of touch …Harding writes like an angel’ (Sunday Times, London).
‘An edifying journey of self-discovery’ (Irish Mail on Sunday)
‘Hilarious, and tender, and mad, and harrowing, and wistful, and always beautifully written’ (renown Irish author and Booker prize nominee, Kevin Barry).
Memoirs and novels are not Michael’s only talent. His outstanding playwriting abilities have led him to the pinnacle of Ireland’s stage-world, The Abbey in Dublin, Ireland’s National Theatre, where his plays 'Strawboys,' 'Una Pooka,' 'Misogynist,' 'Hubert Murray’s Widow' and 'Sour Grapes' have been performed. Another work by him, 'The Tinker’s Curse,' was nominated for Best New Play at the Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards. He was also Writer in Association with the Abbey Theatre and recipient of the Hennessy Literary Award for Short Stories.
Michael has also been a popular columnist for over fifteen years with The Irish Times daily newspaper.
Displaying his outstanding acting abilities, Michael was named Best Actor at the Dublin Theatre Fringe Festival for his performance in 'Swallow' and nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role at the British Theatre Management Awards.
He is also a recipient of the Stewart Parker Award for theatre and a Bank of Ireland/RTÉ award for Excellence in the Arts.
Michael is a commentator on numerous documentary programmes and has featured in film and theatre, including a recent short film, 'Where the Old Man Lives.'
Born in Cavan, part of Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, Michael studied at St. Patrick’s College in Maynooth, was ordained a priest and worked in a parish in nearby Fermanagh. After leaving the priesthood, he spent seventeen years practising Buddhism. He is married to sculptor Cathy Carmen and has a daughter, Sophia.
Michael’s book launches have become not-to-be missed, thought-provoking events where he combines his unique philosophy on life, his story-telling talents and his humour, often self-deprecating, to captivate capacity audiences, both within Ireland and abroad.
Anyone coming or intending to come to next month’s writing retreat in what is probably the most scenic coastal region in all of Ireland is in for one helluva treat.
Tighten your literary seat belts. We’re about to take off on a memorable journey.
Note - Our retreats are limited to ten persons only. Registration for this retreat closes at midnight on Sunday May 24.
In addition to Michael's workshop and others by published authors on subjects such as memoir, dialogue, flash fiction and character development, participants will also enjoy daily excursions into picture-postcard Irish coastal scenery to visit key historic and cultural places including a castle with a colorful past, lakeside national gardens, a trip to a sacred mountain linked to local faerylore, a ferry-boat ride to an island with strong literary connections and lunch in a century-old seaside thatched cottage where a special workshop will be held. The Summer Writing Retreat also includes live evening music, dance performances and food and wine tastings.
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