AN ARMAGH writer who died over 50 years ago is to be remembered in a series of events at The Market Place Theatre as part of this year's John Hewitt International Summer School.
John O’Connor was a friend and contemporary of Sam Hanna Bell and John Boyd. Born in the Mill Row in 1920 and an extensive world traveller, O'Connor wrote pieces for local newspapers, a large number of short stories, several documentary programmes for the BBC (with assistance from Sam Hanna Bell) and a novel, Come Day – Go Day, before his death from peritonitis at just 39.
Curated and presented by Armagh playwright Darragh Carville, John O’Connor: A Celebration will see a group of Armachian writers and actors including John Paul Connolly, Karl O’Neill and Paul Muldoon joining members of the O'Connor family at the Marketplace Theatre from 7pm on Wednesday July 29 to celebrate the late writer's life and stories
A second and parallel event The John O’Connor Exhibition will open in the Upper Foyer at the Market Place Theatre on Monday July 27 and run daily until Saturday August 15, while a concert on Thursday July 30 will feature poet Muldoon playing with members of Horslips, plus performances by Paddy Goodwin’s Holy Ghosts and Paul Brady.
All proceeds from the latter event will be put towards the re-release of Come Day – Go Day and the publication of a short stories collection.
:: Marketplacearmagh.com.
