The Moth

Rebecca O'Connor and Will Govan could see that the Cavan arts scene was thriving, and that all it really needed was an arts and literature magazine to showcase its rich variety of talent. So this husband and wife duo came up with the idea of producing their own magazine... The first issue of The Moth which is being launched this Saturday, May 29, in the Abbey Bar in Cavan, features some of the region's finest writers. It includes interviews with Pat McCabe ("Now, at the press of a button, you can have ten whores at your doorstep in Ballygoaresways for a hundred euros," is a McCabe quote ), and Shane Connaughton ("I love being in Con Smith's pub in The Bridge, the old bar, with the fire, and the old characters, such lovely people. The great talk, the stories ... Each day is a blank page. Something exciting is sure to happen..."). There is also poetry from Dermot Healy, Noel Monahan, Leanne O'Sullivan, Ted McCarthy and Elizabeth Monahan, an extract from Padraic McIntyre's new play The Night Joe Dolan's Car Broke Down, an extract from Rebecca O'Connor's novel-in-progress Swanevelder's Confession and a piece by Philip Doherty on his time in Annaghmakerrig. The cover is by local artist Paul Galligan, and inside you'll find work by Margot Quinn, Caroline Fay, Vincent Sheridan, Helen Hughes (whose work will be exhibited at the Bluewall Gallery in June) and Lorna Moloney-Derham. Will and Rebecca intend to produce four issues a year, and submissions are welcome (as are subscriptions). The second issue will be out in September, and will feature the Booker Prize-winning author Julia O'Faolain, among others. "We wanted to create something beautiful, something that the Cavan community could be proud to call their own, and to feature new up-and-coming writers and artists as well as those who are more established," says Rebecca. "We want to be inclusive too," says Will, "so we welcome submissions from all over Ireland, and in time we may even launch the magazine abroad, in Paris and London in particular, where there's a big Irish community." The beautifully designed magazine with its excellent writing will be a perfect addition to any coffee table, a collectable and a subscription would be an ideal gift for Cavan people away from home. The launch at the Abbey Bar on Saturday will feature readings from Dermot Healy, Noel Monahan, Rebecca O'Connor and Philip Doherty (with Daragh Slacke on guitar). Everyone is more than welcome to come along and help them toast this new venture - and to purchase copies of the magazine, hot off the press. The Moth will also be launched at the Flat Lake Festival (June 4-6) in Clones, with readings, music, absinthe, portrait drawings and more. • For further details please contact ed-lit@live.com or 049-4366020. The magazine will be priced at €4, and will be on sale in places such as Eason and the Crannog Bookshop in Cavan, and the Gonzo and Ramor theatres. Cavan launch starts at 8pm this Saturday, May 29, at the Abbey Bar, Coleman Road, Cavan.