Liam Ó Murchú

MUNSTER LITERATURE CENTRE
IONAD LITRÍOCHTA an DEISCIRT

MLC books

Welcome to the Munster
Literature Centre

Founded in 1993, the Munster Literature Centre (Ionad Litríochta an Deiscirt) is a non-profit arts organisation dedicated to the promotion and celebration of literature, especially that of Munster. To this end, we organise festivals, workshops, readings and competitions. Our publishing section, Southword Editions, publishes a biannual journal, poetry collections and short stories. We actively seek to support new and emerging writers and are assisted in our efforts through funding from Cork City Council, Cork County Council and the Arts Council of Ireland.Originally located in Sullivan's Quay, the centre moved to its current premises in the Frank O'Connor House (the author's birthplace) at 84 Douglas Street, in 2003.

In 2000, the Munster Literature Centre organised the first Frank O'Connor International Short Story Festival, an event dedicated to the celebration of the short story and named for one of Cork's most beloved authors. The festival showcases readings, literary forums and workshops. Following continued growth and additional funding, the Cork City - Frank O'Connor International Short Story Award was introduced in 2005, coinciding with Cork's designation as that year's European Capital of Culture. The award is now recognised as the single biggest prize for a short story collection in the world and is presented at the end of the festival.In 2002, the Munster Literature Centre introduced the Seán Ó Faoláin Short Story Prize, an annual short story competition dedicated to one of Ireland's most accomplished story writers and theorists. This too is presented during the FOC festival. The centre also hosts the Cork Spring Literary Festival each year, at which the Gregory O'Donoghue International Poetry Prize is awarded (established 2010).

Workshops are held by featured authors in both autumn and spring, allowing the general public to receive creative guidance in an intimate setting for a minimal fee. In addition, the centre sponsors a Writer in Residence each year. We invite you to browse our website for further information regarding our events, Munster literature, and other literary information. Should you have any queries, we would be happy to hear from you.

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Literature Centre
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LIAM Ó MURCHÚ

Liam Ó Murchú

Liam Ó Murchú, a Cork native, studied literature at University College Cork, but left after a year to become a clerical officer. He also served as law adviser to the Minister for Health. He then joined Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ) as Editor of Irish language programmes, later going on to become Assistant Controller of Programmes and Assistant Director General. He broadcast the shows Trom agus Éadrom and Up for the Final. After leaving RTÉ in 1988, he set up his own production company. Along his varied career track, Ó Murchú wrote several books and articles that were published in the United States, Britain, and Ireland. His work includes Black Cat's Tales and Black Cat in the Window. In 2002, University College Cork awarded him an honorary degree. He writes a monthly article for Ireland’s Own.

Author Links

Ó Murchú interviewing the Clancy Brothers and Robbie O'Connell (YouTube)

Liam Ó Murchú Biography (Wikipedia)

Liam Ó Murchú's bibliography at Amazon