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Dublin has been designated as a UNESCO City of Literature, one of only four in the world. The rare accolade recognises Dublin’s cultural profile and its international standing as a city of literary excellence. The announcement was made at Dublin’s Grand Canal Theatre this morning.

Among the writers, playwrights and poets present were Thomas Kinsella, Theo Dorgan, Pat Boran and Enda Wyley, along with Mary Hanafin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport and Gerry Breen, Lord Mayor of Dublin.

I am absolutely delighted about this achievement – which confirms what Dubliners have known for years – this is a city that has always produced – and continues to produce – great writers.- Gerry Breen

The UNESCO application was led by Dublin City Council’s library service with partners from literary-related organisations, including Poetry Ireland, as well as culture, arts, tourism, government, media and educational institutions across the city and country.

For more details visit dublincityofliterature.ie

Staple Magazine are looking for reviewers as they begin archiving reviews from the print edition to their website. Anyone interested in reviewing for Staple online can visit them at staplemagazine.co.uk

The Embassy of the United States of America presents a Writers’ Workshop with Dr Brenda Flanagan, Cultural Ambassador for the United States Department of State on Friday 23rd July (taking place at the Boston College, 42 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2)

If you wish to attend or to request further information, please contact Meghan O’Toole, Cultural Affairs Assistant at the U.S. Embassy, Dublin. Space is limited.

T 01 668 8777 ext. 2102 E OTooleMK@state.gov

The Stinging Fly in association with the Irish Writers’ Centre presents a Novel Writing Workshop with Sean O’Reilly, starting in October.

The workshop runs over a period of twenty weeks (starting early October) with weekly sessions where participants present and discuss their own work. In addition there will be five day-long sessions with visiting writers. Eight to ten participants will be selected on the basis of work submitted (before August 20th) and they will be expected to work towards the completion of the first draft of a novel. The cost is €1500.

To receive more information on this year’s workshop and the application procedure, send an e-mail to stingingfly@gmail.com.

For those of you that couldn’t make the lunchtime reading this week (or last) in the National Gallery – you can watch some excerpts of the readings below – or visit our archive for more.

Pat Boran

Mary O’Malley

Don’t miss Celia de Fréine and Theo Dorgan over the next fortnight.

The Trustees of the Estate of Katherine Kavanagh will offer the Patrick and Katherine Kavanagh Fellowship, normally worth €8,000, again in 2010. The Fellowship is specifically for Irish poets in their middle years, who have published a body of work, and who are in need of assistance.

The deadline for application is 23 August, for further details write to the Trustees, 3, Selskar Terrace, Ranelagh, D6.

Coiscéim presents a trilingual reading (Slovene, Irish, English) with poets Maruša Krese, Alojz Ihan and Tina Mahkota to celebrate the launch of Dva: Díolaim de Nua-Litríocht na Slóivéine (An Anthology of Modern Slovene Literature), edited by Eoghan Mac Aogáin and Gabriel Rosenstock. The reading begins at 7pm on Wednesday, July 7, 2010, in The Pearse Centre, 27 Pearse St, Dublin 2.

Léamh trítheangach (Slóivéinis, Gaeilge, Béarla) ag a seacht a chlog ar an 7ú lá de mhí Iúil, 2010 in Ionad an Phiarsaigh, 27 Sráid an Phiarsaigh, BÁC 2. Roghnófar na dánta as Dva: Díolaim de Nua-Litríocht na Slóivéine, in eagar ag Eoghan Mac Aogáin agus Gabriel Rosenstock, nuafhoilsithe ag Coiscéim. Déanfaidh Maruša Krese, Alojz Ihan agus Tina Mahkota na léimh sa tSlóivéinis, agus déanfaidh aistritheoirí na díolama na léimh i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla.

Yvonne Cullen presents a poetry writing workshop on Inishbofin Island, Co. Galway, on the August Bank Holiday weekend (July 30 – August 2)

The course, designed for beginners and developing poets, will include landscape-based sessions, a site-specific masterclass with Sean Lysaght and readings from poets and participants. Tuition Fee for the weekend is €230. To book places on the course or to receive a full course programme visit yvonnecullen.com

If interested in attending the weekend, we would advise you to contact us to book immediately. Accommodation is limited on the island at this time – call 086 1701418 for assistance.

Harry Clifton has been announced as the Ireland Professor of Poetry 2010 by An Taoiseach Brian Cowen. The position, established by the Arts Council/ An Chomhairle Ealaíon, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, Queen’s University Belfast and University College Dublin, celebrates the exceptional contribution of Irish poets to the world of literature. The outgoing Professor of Poetry is Michael Longley.

My warmest congratulations to Harry Clifton on receiving this very well deserved honour as Ireland’s next Professor of Poetry. He is a most worthy champion of our country’s long poetic tradition and I would like to wish him every success during his tenure.

– Brian Cowen

Clifton said that the award was a ‘huge honour, and totally unexpected. And to succeed Michael Longley, one of the most admired poets in the language itself, let alone the country, is especially wonderful.’

The Chair is tenable for a period of three years (non-renewable) during which time the holder will be attached to each of the three universities in turn and will be required to be in residence at each for approximately one academic term per year. In addition, the holder will make three formal presentations and hold other informal workshops, lectures and readings for the public.

Click here to watch Harry Clifton reading and visit the irishtimes.com for more about the appointment.