Renowned Us Literary Figure To Read At De Valera Library In Ennis

Lightholler

A leading Irish American poet, writer and translator will perform a reading of his latest book in the De Valera Library, Ennis on Tuesday October 10th at 7pm. Mr. Carlos Reyes, a native of Portland in Oregon, maintains an eighteenth century Irish cottage on the outskirts of Miltown Malbay from where he has drawn much of his inspiration for "At the Edge of the Western Wave". The book, which was first published in 2004, features a collection of poems based on his experience and interpretation of life in rural County Clare.

Speaking ahead of next week’s reading by Mr. Reyes, Carrie Stafford, Executive Librarian with the Clare County Library said, "Mr. Reyes has for many years been coming to Clare and has found the county to be a source of inspiration for his works. He uniquely captures snapshots of rural life in Clare, which is reflective of his ability to make the ordinary day-to-day happenings appear extraordinary. What is clearly evident about 'At the Edge of the Western Wave' is his ability to perfectly encapsulate rural Ireland through a mixture of tragedy, humour and spirituality."

"I would urge anyone with an interest in poetry, or indeed rural community life, to attend next Tuesday’s reading in the De Valera Library at 7pm", Ms. Stafford added.

Carlos Reyes has been teaching poetry writing in Oregon, Washington and Nevada schools since 1982. His books of poetry include ‘The Shingle Weaver’s Journal’ - a finalist for the Elliston Prize, ‘Nightmarks’ and ‘A Suitcase Full of Crows’. He has also published nine chapbooks including ‘The Windows’, ‘The Prisoner’, ‘The Orange Letters’, ‘At Doolin Quay, Open Doors’, and most recently a translation of Edwin Madrid’s ‘Puertas abiertas’. Hundreds of his poems have appeared in national and international literary journals and anthologies. Reyes has been a Yaddo Fellow, a fellow at the Fundación Valparaíso (Mojácar, Spain), and received an Oregon Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship for poetry. Since 1964, he has been the editor and publisher of Trash House Books, Inc. He is also a founding editor of Hubbub: A Magazine of Poetry.

'At the Edge of the Western Wave' is published by Lost Horse Press (www.losthorsepress.org).