How Literature and Books Can Tell Us More about Ourselves and Our Lives

Tutor: Anne Gormley, B.A. H. Dip in Ed. Hons, M.A. Mod English Literature/Hons

René Descartes a 17th century French philosopher once wrote that -

“Reading good books is like conversation with the finest men of past centuries.”

Books are great healers, powerful levellers, encounters with diverse cultures and peoples as well as being solid dependable companions on our journey through life. They irrigate the deserts that our lives can become according to C.S.Lewis author of the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

In a world torn apart by conflict and war which has become all too familiar nowadays, books offer us an oasis and a haven. Books restore our peace and serenity when life’s difficulties can overwhelm us, and they improve concentration enabling us express our own stories in rich and more dynamic ways.

Books and novels unleash in us all the joys and misfortunes which can take many years to experience. Every good book that we read expands our view of the world and the people in it. Join us in this popular course and allow yourself to be transported to different worlds where you will meet new and exciting people.

This course consists of 24 workshops, split between 2 terms, where you will discover how Drama, Poetry, Fiction and Short Stories can energise you by offering fresh new insights on people and events. We take a look not just at the literary work but the life of the writer and the milieu which inspired those creative outputs. Our capacity for language will become re-vitalised, and our imaginations and inner worlds more enriched and inspired.

Anne Gormley M.A. in Modern English Literature is the author of many books for Leaving Cert English. She has been Assistant Examiner for the Department of Education for many years. She is a retired English teacher. She works as a Tour Guide in Trinity College Dublin and mentors’ students there. She also works as a Coach/Mentor to second-level students.  She has written her first novel and is now working on her second one.

Please note, this is a 24 week course spread over the autumn and the spring term at the price of €155 per term or you have the option to pay for the two terms together at a discounted price of €295 for the 24 weeks.