New book of poetry to be launched in Cookstown this evening

A DRUMQUIN-born poet will launch his third collection of poems with a special book signing event in Cookstown this evening.’

The Leap Year’ by Patrick Gormley is a collection of 41 poems written by the Tyrone native who currently resides just outside Cookstown.

Speaking of the subject matter and themes throughout his latest collection of poems, Patrick said: “It covers a bit of everything really. It’s as simple as this if I get an idea for a poem in my head, it goes straight to the page. It could be literally anything that inspires me.”

Having had some of his previous works published in the USA, the poet will launch his newest collection this evening at Cookstown Library from 6.30pm where he will be in attendance to sign copies of the book and meet fans of his work.

“I’ll also be holding a second book signing event up in Draperstown Library on May 13 at 7pm,” Patrick added.

Patrick’s previous work includes two books ‘Amber Roses’, which has been published in New York, and ‘Northern Irelaugh’ – a book that, he says, takes a rather humorous look at Northern Ireland within a collection of limericks.

“I get inspired to write poems in many ways,” said Patrick.

“My poem, ‘Round About The Roundabout’, came to me when I was travelling home on the bus.

“When the bus came around the roundabout, the words came to me, and I had the full poem in my head by the time I got home.

“Sometimes, poems come to me without any inspiration, as was the case with ‘The Bee Race’,” he added.

Patrick is also a member of two local writing groups – ‘The Burnavon Writers Group’ in Cookstown and the ‘Five Roads Writing Group’ based in Draperstown where he currently resides.

Patrick, who is also the secretary of the Burnavon Writers Group explains, “We have been meeting up in the Burnavon every second Wednesday for over seven years now.

“The Five Road’s Writing Group have been getting together regularly for about four years, and it’s just great to meet up with like-minded people with similar interests.”