Words on the Air is a collection of short monologues for radio by local writers, which broadcasts on KCLR 96FM from April 25 to April 28 at 4.20 pm on the Sue Nunn Show.
The collection was produced as part of the Carlow Writer-in-Residence program, under the direction of writer Marc-Ivan O’Gorman and is a joint initiative between Carlow County Library, Carlow Arts Office and Carlow College, St. Patrick’s.
Thanks to the participation of the Carlow Little Theatre, the writers had their pieces read by the following local actors:
| Title | Writer | Actor |
| Not Consulted | Alan O’Dwyer | Fergal Ward |
| Avenue 66 | Bernie Jenkins | Paul McManus |
| Bindy | Elaine Meaney | Christy Neary |
| Getting out of Bed | Gaye Wolfe | Emma O’Brien |
| Churchyard Tree | Noreen Ui Laighin | Paul Dunne |
| No.3 Store Street | Doreena Jennings | Gemma Lawlor |
| On the run | Nuala Dalton | Paul McManus |
| Standing up | Saoirse Brown | Margaret McKenna |
And recorded by KCLR 96FM’s Monica Hayes. The 8 pieces will be aired two per day starting Monday April 25 and will subsequently be available online at https://soundcloud.com/cleverality.
Carlow born Marc-Ivan O’Gorman developed the project as part of the Dramatic Writing course he delivered in the autumn of 2021, using techniques he learned teaching at The New York Film Academy, The Studio School Los Angeles, and The Gaiety School of Acting, Dublin.
Words on the Air
Writer in Residence Monologue Project
List of the Writers, Performers and monologues.
Gabrielle Wolfe (Getting out of Bed)
Gabrielle Wolfe is a retired solicitor currently writing a memoir of her career in law and her marriage of 38 years through love and adversity. The piece chosen is from a longer Monologue on Dejection.
Getting out of Bed is read by Emma O’Brien
Noreen Moore Murphy Uí Laighin. (Churchyard Tree)
“I have been twice widowed and loved. I live in the beautiful Slieve Bloom Mountains in Co Laois. I wrote this poem during Covid19 lockdown, outside a dazzling church again, for another anniversary mass of loved ones. The big-tree watches over us as it has done for generations.”
Churchyard Tree is read by Paul Dunne
Saoirse Brown (Standing Up)
“I’ve written this piece in response to personal stories and reports by women who have lived in abusive relationships and for those who are living with abuse. I write poetry, fiction and non-fiction mostly. I’m inspired by nature or topics that move me.”
Standing up is read by Margaret McKenna
Bernie Jenkins (Avenue 66)
“My name is Bernie Jenkins. I work in retail. I love writing and creativity is a wonderful thing. Set in Los Angeles, Avenue 66 is about a young couple finding their way through life. How one moment can change everything. So much hangs in the balance.”
Avenue 66 is read by Paul McManus
Alan O’Dwyer (Not Consulted)
Alan O’Dwyeris a retired Dublin publican living in Carlow since 1999 and the monologue ponders a mystery of life.
Not Consulted is read by Fergal Ward
Nuala Dalton (On the run)
Nuala Dalton is a musician & film-maker from County Carlow. ‘Higher Ground’, her recent documentary on rural Carlow, screened at many film festivals including Still Voices, Offline and Craicfest New York, it is currently screening on Ethiopian International Airlines. This is an excerpt of her first writing for radio, it’s the opening scene.
On the Run is read by Paul McManus
Doreena Jennings (No.3 Store Street)
Doreena’s writing is like a diary, reflecting life’s ever-changing emotional landscape. She has recently finished editing her debut collection of poetry. In this prose poem, Doreena tries to piece together her inner world as she navigates the stark reality of the road ahead.
No.3 Store Street is read by Gemma Lawlor
Elaine Meaney (Bindy)
Elaine Meaney from Leighlinbridge. Working through stuff. Her monologue, Bindy, is about a hawk and its master.
Bindy is read by Christy Neary
