The works of Joyce, Tolstoy, George Eliot and many more have been studied by a group of literature students who meet every Wednesday morning at Portlaoise VEC. Their guide is editor and writer Olivia Hamilton: "We read books that people wouldn't normally tackle alone," she explains.
The students are all women in their 50s and 60s: "The class is open to everyone, but it happens to be all women. I can't believe there aren't adult men available at that time of the day in Portlaoise. What about the retired men?"
The women enjoy meeting writers who are alive and kicking, as well as studying those who are deceased. Ms Hamilton has invited novelists such as John McGahern, Mary Morrissy and Jennifer Johnston to give talks to her students. She is grateful to the Laois Arts Officer, Muireann Ni Chonaill, for organising Bealtaine, the annual Portlaoise literature festival which takes place in May: "My group enjoys it so much. It's another chance for them to meet published writers." Of particular interest have been writers from the area, such as James Ryan and John MacKenna: "It is great for people to see their own life and times in print."
Her 15 students come from Portlaoise, Mountmellick, Abbeyleix and Portarlington. They tell her the class has boosted their confidence: "They say it gives them a buzz of a Wednesday. Their husbands say they come home flying."