Margaret's poetry comes 'from moments of joy, sadness and humour'
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Dolores Keaveney with Margaret Kiernan on ThursdayImage 2 of 7
Alma Manny from Mullingar and Rita Tynan from Ballinea.Image 3 of 7
Enda, Elaine and Sean Kiernan at the launch.Image 4 of 7
Ashling Concannon, Mary Egan and Bernie Concannon at Mullingar Library.Image 5 of 7
Chris Blythe from Rochfortbridge and Peggy Blythe from Mullingar.Image 6 of 7
Lena John and Margaret Hackett from Castletown Geoghegan.Image 7 of 7
Deputy Robert Troy and Fiona Shortt (Mullingar librarian).The book Margaret Kiernan launched at Mullingar Library on Thursday evening of last week is “a book of poetry that covers the physical, emotional and spiritual journey as well as the creative journey of the life of the author”.
It is called A Mirage of Lost Things and the poems it contains “come from moments of joy, sadness and there’s also quite a smattering of humour in some of the poems” said Margaret.
She added that the poems are “about carefree days spent near lakes and waterways, woodlands and cities, and they celebrate those everyday events of a life fully lived and always nature is very close at hand”. Margaret is from Hillside Drive, Mullingar and has lived in the town all her adult life though she wasn’t born here.
“I was born down on the shores of Loch Corrib in a little village called Cong, which many people would know, and associate with Ashford Castle. I have four grown-up children and I also do art – I do a lot of art – I’d probably be known more for art than for writing.”
Dolores Keaveney performed the official launch of Margaret’s book, and Margaret expressed her thanks to her fellow author.
She concluded: “I’m grateful to Westmeath County Council, the Arts Office, in particular Fiona Short, who coordinated the launch, and to the staff here at the library in Mullingar. I’d like to compliment the council on their commitment to libraries. They have some of the finest libraries in the country, Athlone, Moate, Kilbeggan, Kinnegad, Castlepollard and of course this fabulous building here.”