05/05/2025
𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐇𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐁ö𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝
The 22nd annual Heinrich Böll Memorial Weekend, held on Achill Island in May 2025, was a vibrant celebration of literature, art, nature, and cultural dialogue. Organised by the Achill Heinrich Böll Association, in collaboration with the German Embassy, the Goethe-Institut Ireland, Mayo County Council, and the Arts Council, the programme brought together local voices and international guests to honour Heinrich Böll’s legacy while exploring timely political, environmental, and creative themes.
𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙈𝙖𝙟𝙤𝙧 𝘼𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩
Dr. Kathleen Smyth, Chairperson of the Achill Heinrich Böll Association, welcomed participants with heartfelt thanks to partners, speakers, and the local community. A highlight of her address was the announcement that the association had successfully acquired the historic cottage in Dooagh where renowned artist Camille Souter once lived and worked. This space will soon become a funded artist residency, offering professional artists financial support and creative refuge on Achill Island. The achievement, made possible through generous donations, fundraising events, and widespread community support, marks a major expansion of the association’s longstanding commitment to fostering the arts.
𝘿𝙞𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡 𝙍𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨
David Gill, German Ambassador to Ireland, gave a thoughtful keynote reflecting on the enduring ties between Ireland and Germany, framed through the legacies of Petra Kelly and Heinrich Böll. Ambassador Gill emphasised literature’s unique power to open hearts, create empathy, and offer guidance in uncertain times, while praising Achill’s role as a place of inspiration and rootedness.
In a wide-ranging address, Jan Philipp Albrecht, co-president of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, discussed Europe’s current political landscape, calling for renewed efforts to uphold democratic institutions, confront climate and digital challenges, and engage citizens more fully in shaping the future. Drawing on the activist spirit of Petra Kelly, Albrecht underlined the urgent need for political education and individual involvement.
𝙁𝙞𝙡𝙢, 𝙋𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙡, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨
A screening of the documentary Petra Kelly – Act Now was followed by a lively Q&A with director Doris Metz and a panel discussion featuring Patricia McKenna (former Green Party MEP), Jan Philipp Albrecht, and Professor Gisela Holfter (University of Limerick, Chair). The discussion explored Kelly’s political and environmental activism, her connection to Ireland, and the global relevance of her vision today.
Acclaimed translator Hans-Christian Oeser offered insights into the delicate art of literary translation, sharing examples from his decades of work translating Irish authors into German. His talk highlighted the challenge and beauty of crafting works that remain faithful to the original while resonating deeply in a new language.
Actress and translator Wiebke Acton, accompanied by musician Brian Acton, delivered a moving reading of Katerina Poladjan’s novel Upheaval, capturing the powerful story of four generations of women living through change in Siberia. The combination of spoken word and music created an intimate, memorable experience for the audience.
𝘼𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙒𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙂𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙥 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨
A longstanding fixture of the weekend, the Achill Writers Group Readings took place at Ted’s Bar, Cashel, presented by Sheila McHugh. Writers Patrick Stack O’Neill, Denise Nagle, Seán O’Malley, Martina O’Connor, Sheila McHugh, and Siobhán Flynn shared original work under the theme “Lost In Translation”, celebrating the transformative power of words across cultures and generations.
The Achill Writers Group has been gathering since the early 1990s, creating a nurturing space for local writers to develop and share their craft. This vibrant community continues Achill’s centuries-old tradition of storytelling, which has inspired notable figures including Heinrich Böll, Graham Greene, John F. Deane, Paul Durcan, John Healy, and Robert Lloyd Praeger. The longstanding collaboration between the Achill Heinrich Böll Association and the Achill Writers has been nurtured through annual readings and workshops, which remain an essential part of the weekend programme.
Live music by Laoise Kelly and Diarmuid Gielty added a rich cultural backdrop, blending words and melody in a celebration of local talent and tradition.
80 𝙖𝙩 80: 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙖𝙪𝙡 𝘿𝙪𝙧𝙘𝙖𝙣
The special evening titled 80 at 80 was a standout moment, celebrating the 80th birthday of Irish poet Paul Durcan in the historic St Thomas’ Church. Poets, readers, and admirers gathered to honour Durcan’s extraordinary five-decade career, revisiting his tender, surreal, provocative, and spiritual works.
Durcan’s poetry bridges the personal and the political, addressing everything from Ireland’s cultural shifts to intimate family dynamics. His acclaimed collections, such as The Berlin Wall Café, Daddy, Daddy, and The Days of Surprise, were read aloud, reminding the audience of his sharp wit, deep emotional resonance, and unmistakable poetic voice.
The evening reflected on Durcan’s many accolades — from the Whitbread Poetry Award and Ireland Professor of Poetry title to honorary doctorates and a Lifetime Achievement Irish Book Award — but above all, it celebrated his enduring role as a companionable and courageous voice in Irish poetry.
𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥’𝐬 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞: 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬
The weekend also offered opportunities to connect with Achill’s breathtaking landscapes through two immersive guided walks.
1️⃣ Nature Walk at Keem Bay
Led by conservation expert Micheál Ó Briain, this walk explored the European conservation importance of Keem Bay, with its two Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) protecting marine life and heathland habitats. Participants learned about local seabirds, ravens, choughs, basking sharks, and dolphins, while gaining insight into wider EU and global conservation efforts.
2️⃣ Guided Walk to Lough Ard
Led by Tomás McLoughlin, an experienced International Mountain Leader, this 6 km walk through the Currane landscape offered stunning views and lively stories about the local environment and history. Covering 200 metres of ascent over country lanes and bog roads, the walk balanced physical challenge with reflection and community connection.
Links to video recordings to the events are available here.
The 22nd annual Heinrich Böll Memorial Weekend, held on Achill Island in May 2025, was a vibrant celebration of literature, art, politics, nature, and cultur...
