Award-winning poet Lauren O’Donovan was one of four debut poets selected by One City One Book 2024 awardee Theo Dorgan to participate in a Master Class, the results of which is the finished chapbook Taxidermy Heart. In Dorgan words: “at once a considerable achievement and a serious statement of intent, with a number of moving and shrewd reflections on being a daughter, on birth and motherhood, touching and yet devoid of sentimentality. As all poets should hope to, Lauren O'Donovan earns our trust. Her craft is unimpeachable. For these things alone we should be grateful, but what most impresses is the earned, persuasive, wisdom of the heart that rings through in poem after poem. I salute a remarkable debut.” 

TAXIDERMY HEART will be launched at the Cork World Book Festival in April 2025 and then follow a nationwide tour, serving as a calling-card for her future full-length collection. 

At the heart of this project is a commitment to engaging young creatives, embracing international and linguistic diversity, and connecting with the public. The design and publication will be made by local Cork printers Badly Made Books, all of whose paper is sourced from FSC certified forests, whose packaging is made with recycled material, and who thus honour the sustainable ethos of this project. 

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.