Fans of Irish writing filled Kells Restaurant on Thursday Nov. 16.
Fifty fans of the Irish experience rendered in prose and poetry filled the restaurant at Kells on SW Second Thursday evening, November 16.
Four Portland writers with four different approaches to the art of writing took the stage to read from their works. Daniel J. Curran shared from his memoir a surprising side of sobriety he encountered in Cahirciveen. Gemma Whelan’s fictional Irish adventurer finds herself feeling abandoned in foggy San Francisco. Frank Holt’s poetry was brash but tender, befitting a poet raised in Dublin. Dan Holden’s historic writing led him to an Irish invasion of Canada that was kind of comical but ultimately consequential.
Dan Holden shows the flag of the Fenians who invaded Canada from America after the Civil War.
Mike Phillips of The Portland Hibernian Society produced the proceedings and even kicked things off with a song.
Mike Phillips launched the literary evening with a song: Luke Kelly’s HOT ASPHALT.
Here’s more information about the authors:
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Daniel J. Curran is a short story writer and freelance journalist covering sports, live entertainment, artist profiles, restaurant reviews and Oregon history. An accomplished instructor, he’s taught resume writing for the Portland Community College Workforce Training Center, writing exercises to local high school students and led workshops for the Oregon Writing Festival. Daniel earned his Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in Professional Writing at Portland State University (PSU) before acquiring his Master of Science in Writing with a degree concentration in Book Publishing at PSU. Daniel continues as a freelance writer for the Oregon Historical Society and regular contributor to Positively Entertainment and Dining. He published his memoir “These Moments: Moments of a Life Well-Lived” in 2021. A second book is presently in the works.
Frank Holt was born in Dublin in 1953. After 11 years working for the Irish railroad company the itchy feet syndrome touched his life. He landed in Boston in ’82. Following a lengthy road trip he became a commercial fisherman in the Florida Keys. In ’85 he moved to San Francisco where he met Eileen. Love blossomed immediately and they married in Dublin in ’87. After a major earthquake he joined the San Francisco Painter’s Union and worked precariously repairing the exterior of damaged high rises. In 2000 Frank and Eileen relocated back to Ireland [via Alaska] and started a small bed and breakfast [called the Grateful Bed] in a beautiful little lakeside village called Ballyknockan in County Wicklow just 45 minutes from Dublin. Eileen is an accomplished artist who relished her years both in Ireland and Europe. In 2011 they returned to America and landed in Portland. “Words have always accompanied my journey. Poetry is the breath of young life. The poems are an extension of my being, little gasps of fresh air. As the words seep through, a kind blessing engulfs me. When inspiration fades, I gaze at the stars and wait for silent whisperings.” Frank’s collection of poetry is titled, “Swaggering Beneath the Dublin Skies: Poems from Dublin and Beyond.”
Gemma Whelan is an award-winning director, screenwriter, and educator. Founding Artistic Director of Wilde Irish Productions in the San Francisco Bay Area and Corrib Theatre in Portland, Oregon. Directed at Artists Repertory Theatre, Profile, Milagro, CoHo, Boom Arts, and Portland Center Stage’s JAW Festival. Gemma has taught theatre and film at colleges, universities, and conservatories from San Francisco to Singapore. Her novels are “Fiona: Stolen Child” and “Painting Through the Dark.” She is also published in the Wordstock Ten Anthology, High Country News, and The New Hibernia Review. BA Trinity College, Dublin, MA Theatre, UC Berkeley, MFA Cinema S.F. State.
Dan Holden majored in Journalism at Oregon State University where he wrote for several college publications (and played a little rugby). After college he began doing independent historical research focusing on Irish history and the origin of organized sports leagues. That passion led him to pen two books: “Irish History: Beyond Shamrocks & Shillelaghs" as well as a book about his grandfather’s hockey career: “Cross Check: Barney Holden & The Birth of Professional Hockey in North America.” His articles appeared monthly in the "Irish American" newspaper in Philadelphia, PA under the byline, "Holden’s Historical Review." He’s also been featured in, "Irish Times Magazine" (San Francisco), "Military History" magazine, The Oregonian, The Eugene Register Guard, Rugby magazine in New York, as well as a number of Canadian newspapers and magazines. In 2003 he was asked to write a piece for the Winnipeg Free Press to coincide with the publishing of his hockey book. He also writes for a number of risk and insurance magazines but finds them rather dreary.