athlone header reflection
Participants 2004
Dermot Bolger Raven Arts Press founder and prolific author, Dermot has published several novels, plays and collections of poetry. His most recent novel is The Valparaiso Voyage.

Vona Groarke An award winning poet, Vona has published three collections of poetry with Gallery Press. She is also the recipient of several major literary awards.

Katie Hannon Author, journalist and broadcaster, was formerly political correspondent of the Evening Herald, the Irish Examiner and Ireland on Sunday. Now working with RTE's Primetime, she is author of the best seller, The Naked Politician.

Rita Ann Higgins A native of Galway, Rita Ann has won several awards for her poetry and plays. Her most recent collection is An Awful Racket. Her work has been selected for Yale University's Literature Curriculum.

Declan Lynch Athlone-born Sunday Independent columnist and commentator, is author of a number of books, including All of the people all of the time and Do nothing till you hear from me. His debut novel is now being developed into a movie.

Tom McGuire The Athlone-based head of RTE Regional Radio, he was formerly head of Current Affairs Radio Programming at the station. He also worked as a broadcaster with Radio Kerry and with RTE, Cork before moving into programme production for both radio and television at RTE.

John Waters John is a columnist with the Irish Times and former editor of Magill and In Dublin magazines. He also wrote Jiving at the Crossroads.

Participants 2003