Unique and poetic opening to Mayo literary festival

The ninth annual Wild Atlantic Words Festival in Castlebar has got underway with the officially unveiling of Isabela Basombrío Hoban's new book of poetry, entitled 'Another Type of Abbreviation' (Otro Tipo de Abreviatura).

Isabela bilingual book was launched by Ann Marie McGing, Arts Officer, Mayo County Council.

The lovely publication maintains the pulse of Isabela Basombrío Hoban's writing; a lucid, imaginative, open poetry that also has strength, tears and much thought.

In this collection, Isabela handles metaphor in a modern, subtle and moving way.

She has a unique and tender poetic voice coupled with a skilful verbal power.

All the poems in written in English and Spanish.

Isabela's three available bilingual books of poetry all have black covers.

This book was published in 2024 by Ediciones Vitruvio, Madrid, and is being launched soon in Spain, Ireland, USA and Ecuador.

Isabela is an award-winning poet. She is also a multidisciplinary artist working in music, sound and visual art.

Originally from Peru and now living in Castlebar, she is widely popular

Her other works are 'Nothing Belongs to Everyone” (Nada pertenece a todos), and 'Rain Love Death Poets' (Lluvia Amor Muerte Poetas), also published by Ediciones Vitruvio.

Her publishing houses are Ediciones Vitruvio in Madrid, Spain and Salmon Poetry in Ennistymon, Ireland.

Isabela is the recipient of the 2023 Premio Nuevo Ateneo Online (New Athenaeum Online Award).

The New Athenaeum Online Award recognises the work of authors who have written an important work of great literary value and who strive to contribute to new forms of cultural diffusion to reach the reading public.

The jury is composed of authors of recognised prestige.

Isabela was a fellow with the "Next Generation Leadership Project" of the Rockefeller Foundation and has received awards for her poetry from the Mayo County Council Arts Section and Culture Ireland.

The large attendance at the launch underlined the high esteem in which she is held in the community, both as a person and a poet.

Of course, the event was made extra special by an exhilarating rendition on his cello by John Hoban, Isabela's partner who was born and raised in Castle Street, Castlebar, before touring the world.

This evening (Tuesday), the launch takes place of Pat Butler's brilliant book, 'The Fighting Fitzgerald – The turbulent life and terrible death of a Mayo legend, George Robert Fitzgerald'.

Taking place in the festival dome at Bridge St. Bar from 7 p.m., Dr. Eamon Smith will perform the honours.

Known as ‘Fighting Fitzgerald’, the famous duelist George Robert Fitzgerald was one of the most colourful and dangerous personalities of the Ireland of the mid-1700s.

A small man – a larger than life character – he was considered part genius, part madman. Ultimately, he was wholly tragic.

Patrick Butler’s book is based on extensive research and contains new, previously unpublished material.

It seeks to clarify the narrative that lies behind the legends that have grown up and flourished around an extraordinary man.

George Robert Fitzgerald was a man born with all the privileges of high social status, great wealth, intelligence, and good looks, whose career ended on the gallows.

Through his mother he was related to the Hervey family, the Earls of Bristol, who had a long record of service as royal courtiers to the Hanoverian kings and the British aristocracy.

By marriage he was allied with the rich, influential Conolly family of Castletown House, Celbridge, County Kildare.

With such powerful connections, he had entrée to the highest ranks of society in Ireland, England, and France.

He strode across the stage of Mayo, Dublin, Paris, Florence, Brussels, Rome, and London, dominating attention.

He ran through his rich wife’s fortune on their honeymoon; cheated at the gaming table with French royalty and became part of the dawning celebrity culture of London.

Equally capable of savage brutality and exquisite courtesy, his capricious, arrogant ways and uncounted duels earned him the fear and hatred of men.

But the women in his life adored this ‘fascinating creature’.

He became involved in a bitter feud with his father and brother over the control of the vast Fitzgerald estate in County Mayo, during which he took his father prisoner, tied him to a bear, kept him in a cave, fortified his own house with cannon from a shipwreck and defended it with his own militia.

He was sent to prison, but with his connections, not for long.

A small man, a larger-than-life character, he was considered part genius, part madman.

When he came into his inheritance, he proved to be a model landlord, though highhanded.

The final episode of this mercurial, erratic, tempestuous life was Fitzgerald’s involvement in the murder of Patrick Randal McDonnell, a neighbouring small landowner and attorney, and long-time adversary.

In 1786, George Robert Fitzgerald stood trial in Castlebar, and was found guilty.

This time he was beyond the help of his connections, and was summarily hanged – twice: for at the first attempt the rope broke. He was only 38.

This book is based on extensive research and contains new, previously unpublished material.

It seeks to clarify the narrative that lies behind the legends that have grown up and flourished around an extraordinary man.