In this final episode of the podcast for this academic year, Jenny is joined by poet, scholar, harper and Arts curator, Emily Cullen. Emily is currently the Poet in Residence in the University of Limerick and combines that role with poetry writing as well as curating literature and poetry events. On foot of Poetry Day Ireland, Emily talks about the importance of poetry in Irish life, her “scenic” route to where she is now, and teaching as a mutually enriching experience for students and teachers alike. She also reads and discusses a poem from her collection, Conditional Perfect (2019). Show notes: Below is the list of texts referred to during the podcast. No vague utopia by Emily Cullen In between angels and animals by Emily Cullen Conditional Perfect by Emily Cullen Letters to a young poet by Rainier Maria Rilke Poetry Writing: An Expert Guide by Fiona Sampson Writing down the bones by Natalie Goldberg Straw for the Fire by Theodore Roethke Various texts by Annie Finch

In this episode of the podcast, Jenny is joined by the artist Vincent Devine, who recently travelled the country with his painting ‘The Vicky Phelan Triptych,’ and its owner, David Brennan. Vincent attended WIT’s International Women’s Day celebrations, where he talked the audience through the symbolism of each section of the painting, and the collaborative process that he and Vicky went through during its planning and development. He discusses the importance of the painting in generating conversations around women’s health, trauma and resilience, and how it has impacted his own life and work. During the episode, Jenny and Vincent also discuss Dr Christa de Brún’s poem, “Triptych in Blue” written about the artwork.

On Wednesday 9th March, students of English and Theatre Studies at WIT attended a workshop on Shakespeare facilitated by actor Jamie Beamish in the wonderful environs of Waterford’s Theatre Royal. Jamie is the current Theatre Artist in Residence in the Theatre Royal and in this episode, he joins Jenny in studio alongside the manager of the theatre, Mary Boland, who has an ambitious new vision for how the venue might open itself up to the people of the south east. They discuss the impact of the English and Theatre Studies Day, the changing role of theatre in our society, and how important it is to embrace Shakespeare! Jamie Beamish has appeared in Bridgerton and Derry Girls and has recently wrapped on the new series Billy the Kid and Halo (based on the video game). He has also recently performed in the Abbey production of Marina Carr’s Portia Coughlan, has acted on the stage of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, and has played a wide range of Shakespearean roles over the course of his career.

In this episode of The Nerve, we are guided by our third-year students, who have lots of questions about how to find the right postgraduate course, and how to navigate the PAC and UCAS systems. In studio with Jenny are Angela Collins, Head of Careers and Careers Advisor at WIT, and final year English students Katie Chance and Ben Harper. If you’re still not sure what you want to do, how do you go about narrowing your selection? What kinds of documentation do colleges look for upon application? How do you write a personal statement? How early should you start to think about postgrad courses? These are some of the questions that Angela provides answers to in the episode, as well as offering sound and practical advice for all students thinking about postgraduate study.

In this episode of the podcast, Dr Jenny O’Connor chats to WIT’s own Edward Hayden in his capacity as editor of the Drama League of Ireland magazine. Edward is the course leader for the Higher Certificate in Culinary Arts and is well known to viewers of Virgin Media’s Ireland AM where he occupies a guest chef slot. In his spare time, Edward is a very active member of the award-winning New Ross Drama Workshop, and in his role as editor of the DLI magazine, has interviewed and curated content for the first issue of 2022. He speaks about the challenges facing drama societies around the country during the pandemic and the many exciting opportunities that now present themselves as the country opens up once more.

In this episode, Dr. Jenny O’Connor talks to the award-winning poet Annemarie Ni Churreáin, who gave an online seminar this semester at WIT on the way in which literature can develop a critical consciousness in students. This event was organised by English lecturer Dr Christa de Brún, who joins Jenny to chat about using one of Annemarie’s poems to challenge and stimulate students’ thinking. Annemarie has had her poetry published in the Poetry Ireland Review, The Stinging Fly and her first collection, Bloodroot, was shortlisted for highly prestigious awards in Ireland and the U.S. She is a member of the Writers in Prisons Panel co-funded by the Arts Council and the Department of Justice and was also the artist in residence at the Centre Culturel Irlandais Paris. Her new collection, The Poison Glen, is out now. Note: The Critical Thinking through Literature event, featuring  Annemarie Ni Churreáin, was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.

In this episode, Jenny is joined by Luke Cassidy, the author of the novel Iron Annie, and writer of the stage show adaptation of the text, the Iron Annie Cabaret. Luke talks about setting his debut novel in his home town of Dundalk, writing two female lead characters, and what is involved in getting a stage show off the ground in Covid times.

In this episode of The Nerve, Jenny talks to theatre makers Deirdre Dwyer and Nicholas Kavanagh, who facilitated this semester’s English and Theatre Studies Day at WIT. Deirdre’s new work is the audio drama The Little Robber Girl, which, along with the accompanying postal pack, brings to life the story of tearaway Mattie and her dog, Arthur. This work was written by Deirdre in her role as Theatre Artist in Residence at Garter Lane Arts Centre, and employs the voice talents of several local actors, one of whom is the mercurial Nicholas Kavanagh. They discuss the process of bringing this unusual project to life, the importance of deadlines and the experience of recording your voice in the hot press.

In this (celebratory!) episode of The Nerve, Dr Jenny O’Connor is joined in studio by second year student Anthony Finn and third year students Aoife Manville and Katie Chance, who have returned to the WIT campus after 18 months. They discuss the remote online learning experience, making friends with people who used to be virtual classmates on Zoom and what it’s like preparing for your first ever college exam in your final year of college.

Welcome back to the first episode of The Nerve for the new semester. In this episode, Dr Jenny O’Connor speaks to Lucy Moore of the Write by the Sea Festival which normally takes place in Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford. This year, the festival remains online and will host the likes of Douglas Kennedy, Christine Dwyer Hickey, Colm Tóibín, Melatu Uche Okorie, Billy O’Callaghan and WIT’s very own Dr. Fiona Ennis. Lucy discusses community support for the festival, the high quality of entries for the writing competition and storytelling in sitting rooms. Tickets can be bought from www.writebythesea.ie