Elders of Clonmel retells landmark events from the lives of older Clonmel citizens, focusing on their professional and volunteering lives. A quality designed book of completed stories will be published and launch at the Festival on Thursday 26th September, leaving a significant oral history record and legacy about the people and places of Clonmel for future generations.

We are looking for 15 community writers to interview these older citizens; selected writers will learn and/or finetune their interviewing, structuring and editing skills during two evening masterclasses with journalist and memoir writer Kathy Donaghy.

Clonmel Applefest will assign an older person to the writer; the older person will be accompanied by a third party to ensure best safeguarding practice and so that the process is a safe and enriching experience for all involved. Suggestions for suitable candidates to interview are welcomed. However, we will first and foremost be guided by John D.Kelly's intimate knowledge of Clonmel and its people to lead us through the selection process. The final decision rests with Clonmel Applefest.

Kathy Donaghy, who has a wealth of experience teaching memoir and journalism, will be giving the writing masterclass this year. Kathy is an award-winning journalist who works as a freelance writer for the Irish Independent. With 30 years' experience as a journalist, she has been on the staff of the Irish Independent and RTÉ, as well as her work appearing in The Irish Times and The Sunday Business Post. Her memoir Finding My Wild was published in 2023.

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GUIDELINES FOR WRITERS:

Writers involved in this project should:

- have some experience in writing essays and/or articles

- be available for the two Zoom masterclass on either Tuesday, 21st and 28th May or Wednesday, 22nd and 29th May (tbc)

- be available to interview an older person during the month of June

- be willing to submit a first draft by 10th July

- be available to attend one or two group mentoring sessions with Kathy Donaghy in late June.

- complete a second draft by late July

‍Interested in taking part in this? please complete the registration/expression of interest form by 10th May:

‍Expression of Interest Form

If you have taken part in one of our writing projects before, there is no need to complete the request for examples of your work or why you wish to be part of this project. Shortlisted writers will be notified by Tuesday, 14th May.

The format has changed from last year with Kathy giving two evening masterclasses via Zoom on either Tuesday, 21st and 28th May or Wednesday, 22nd and 29th May rather than a full day as in previous years - please vote on the form for which evenings suit you best so we can cater for the majority. There will also be two follow-up group sessions where excerpts of work in progress will be read out and constructive feedback given as well as support and advice as needed. Final editing and proofing will be once again in the capable hands of Rebecca Lenehan, who writes regularly for the Irish Country Living section of the Irish Farmers Journal.  Rebecca has coordinated many arts projects, including a memoir project and Artisans of Cashel for Cashel Arts Festival and last year's Elders of Clonmel for Clonmel Applefest.

For more information and if you have any questions, you can email Rebecca Lenehan at the project email here: eldersofclonmel@gmail.com

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