
First Friday: Edwina Guckian in conversation with Paula Carroll
To celebrate International Women’s Day and Ennis Book Club Festival we are delighted to present mother, dancer, producer and artist – Edwina Guckian – artistic director of Leitrim Dance Project, and author of the children’s book Sparks from the Flagstones in conversation with radio talker, concert curator and festival maker – Paula Carroll – in an event that is sure to be as inspiring as it will be entertaining.
Dancer Edwina Guckian hails from outside the village of Drumsna in Co. Leitrim. Having fallen in love with sean-nós dancing early on in life, Edwina began teaching dance at 16 and set up Áirc Damhsa as a culture club for youths to interact with their heritage and culture in a fun, non-competitive environment. Now in its 20th year, the club has over 500 members in 9 counties.
In April 2022, Edwina was received the Gradam Ceoil TG4 Outstanding Contribution award. In 2023 she was selected for the Markievicz Award by the Arts Council and Department of An Taoiseach and in February 2024, Edwina launched her first book for children called ‘Sparks from the Flagstones’ – a treasury of Irish Folk Traditions and Calendar Customs illustrated by Andrea Rossi
“In reflecting on these traditions of yesteryear and seeking to breathe new life into them, making them relevant in today’s world, your ability to bring people together in celebration of our land, nature, communities and culture, echoes the timeless spirit of our Irish ancestors.” Michael D. Higgins