Extremely successful John O'Connor festival at Milford House
Milford House Collection was delighted welcome the John O' ConnorWriting School & Literary Arts Festival. to 3 Victoria Street from 2nd to 5th November 2017. This was the second John O' Connor Writing School and indeed it was the suggestion of Festival Director Cathy McCullough that the house should be used not only to attract new audiences but in particular with the connection of Robert McCrum - the great great great grandson of Robert Garmany McCrum who built Milford House. Robert McCrum is the son of the late David McCrum the vice Chancellor of Cambridge University and Headmaster of Eton College who indeed is credited with reversing the fortunes of Eton College. Robert is Associate Editor of the Observer newspapers whose most recent book Every Third Thought: On Life , Death and the Endgame published in August 2017. In it he searches for for answers in a world where we are determined to live well at all costs, can we make make peace with what Freud costs the necessity of death? His industry talk in conversation with Adrian Moynes took place on Saturday 4th November.
The John O' Connor Writing School was a huge success at Milford House Collection with poetry and writing classes fully booked and indeed extra places had to be added. Stephen McManus Trustee Director of the Milford BPT said it was "truly wonderful to have the house brought alive with new audiences and creative arts. We were honoured to have the famous Lemn Sissey teaching in the Drawing Room. It was a delight to listen in through the door to hear him reciting poetry to his class! " Lemn Sissay MBE is the author of several books of poetry. He was the official poet for London Olympics and the FA Cup 2015. He is the Chancellor of Manchester University. There is only one Lemn Sissey.
The Rev. John Miller and his wife Joan who are the Patrons of the Trust and the descendants of R.G McCrum came over from Edinburgh especially for the Festival. Indeed they were fortunate enough to be able to attend the fully booked and highly entertaining talk given by Kate and Joan Newman in the Library of Milford House Collection. Joan Newman upon arriving commented on the beautiful decoration of the house and the Library. Cathy McCullough director of the John O'Connor Writing School made the Miller's very welcome and kindly invited them to the launch of the Festival at the Residence of Armagh Robinson Library.
The Trustees on Saturday afternoon gave Isobel McCrum Robert's daughter and his friend Emma Vane a tour of the house. Last year the Trustees gave a luncheon in the Dining room for Robert and Emma - this year Robert was visiting the Seamus Heaney Centre. The Trust felt it was wonderful to have exceiting new audiences in the house and welcome anyone who wishes to hire the house or rooms in it for future events.
