Hot Off the Press: Happy 50th Birthday to Crannog

A few weeks ago I had an email from Crannog Editor Ger Burke accepting my poem "Every Clock is Made of Foxes" and inviting me to read it in Galway for the journal's launch. I wrote back to her, grateful for the invitation, wishing that Seattle was a bit closer to Ireland. Sadly, I declined.

And then 5 minutes later I wondered to myself, and why not? I have a very dear friend, poet and fiction writer, Geraldine Mills, who lives just outside the city. Perhaps she wouldn't mind a visitor for a few days? I wrote Geraldine immediately to see if she'd heard of this journal and might be in town at the time of the launch.

Geraldine Mills and Me 

Geraldine wrote back to let me know she was a huge supporter of Crannog and that in fact, she had a poem in the same issue and would be reading for the launch. I was very welcome to come and stay. The final note mentioned that her husband, Peter, had looked at Seattle to Dublin flights and the prices were exceptionally low for a direct flight. There was nothing else to do but come.

And so after teaching on Tuesday afternoon, I boarded a plane for Dublin and from there, a three hour bus ride to Galway Bus Station. As I stepped onto the curb, Geraldine and Peter, drove up and I felt everything was going to be okay. Better than okay.

Last Friday night, at least 50 people came along to The Crane on the Sea Road, Galway, to hear writers celebrate the 50th issue of a journal that features both local and international writers. James C. Harrold, the City Arts Officer, began the evening with an appreciation of the journal and inviting us to return for the 100th anniversary. I think I just might be back.

(All photos courtesey of Peter Moore.)