‘Writing Across Borders’
‘Most countries send out oil or iron, steel or gold, or some other crop, but Ireland has had only one export and that is its people.’
John F. Kennedy on his presidential visit to Ireland, June 1963
Reading JFK’s words resonates with how Derry/Londonderry, Dublin and Liverpool have one noteworthy trait. Over the past two hundred years or so, all three have been notable emigration outlets for millions of Irish men, women, and children who left these lands for economic, religious, or political reasons to find a better life.
Liverpool, twinned with Dublin, has been described as the most Irish city in the UK based on these very emigrants. Today 75% of its citizens claim to originate from Irish ancestry.
Next Tuesday 6pm, three upcoming authors, Jack Byrne (Liverpool), Jane Buckley (Derry/Londonderry) and Patrick Osborne (Dublin), discovered they shared similar objectives when writing about their respective hometowns based on years of observing numerous social, religious and political unrest. For example, the trio realised their work encompassed common but vital social themes. Examples include poverty, politics, religion, mental health, anti-Irishness, segregation, violence and abuse. And that all-important black Irish humour!
Join us to discuss books and real lives across borders.
https://writingonthewall.org.uk/…/writing-across…/
Jack Byrne 
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