Bog Gothic: Boglands in Irish Literature
Creative Writing
“They've taken the skeleton
Of the Great Irish Elk
Out of the peat, set it up
An astounding crate full of air.”
From "Bogland", Seamus Heaney
Mysterious and otherworldly, bogs have inspired Irish writers for centuries. This reading and writing workshop delves into the cultural impact of boglands on Irish literature, their metaphorical significance, and their potential as gothic settings for creative writing.
After exploring selected excerpts of bog-inspired poetry, prose, and non-fiction, the tutor will guide you through a series of exercises to help you respond creatively to this iconic natural landscape.
“Then the convulsion of the bog grew greater; it almost seemed as if some monstrous living thing was deep under the surface and writhing to escape.”
From The Snake’s Pass, Bram Stoker
About the Tutor
Jen Herron is a writer, journalist and teacher whose work has been featured in Haunted Words Press, Seaside Gothic, Hearth and Coffin, Bowery Gothic, The Irish Times, BBC Radio and others. She won the Seamus Heaney Award for New Writing, 2022.
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