iPhone Application Features Work Of Ennistymon Writer

Arts and Entertainment - Books

Wednesday, 10 March 2010 15:30

Written by Mark Dunphy

An iPhone application featuring the work of a well known Clare writer has just been launched.

Inspired by Ennistymon native Eddie Stack’s classic collection of short fiction, The West, the application includes an ebook of 7 short stories; 60 minutes of spoken word by Stack with traditional Irish music by Feakle fiddler Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill; the song ‘Memories’ by Ron Kavana; and scenes of County Clare by North Clare based artist Phillip Morrison.

The Observer newspaper commented: “Never sentimental, often funny, always accurate, this is pithy, finely tuned writing of a high order.” A New York Times book review added: “Variously fantastic, comic, elegiac and nostalgic, Mr. Stack’s fiction is versatile and engaging...a vivid, compassionate, authentic voice...securing (him) a place in the celebrated tradition of his country’s storytelling.”

Eddie Stack was born in Ennistymon and emigrated to the United States in 1986. He settled in San Francisco and founded ‘The Island,’ an Irish journal. In 1991 he received a Top 100 Irish American Award in response to his first book of short fiction, ‘The West: Stories from Ireland.’ Eddie Stack is co-founder of the Irish Arts Foundation, a San Francisco-based organisation.

‘The West’ iPhone application - Available March 2010 from Apple; Price $1.99; Compatible with Apple iTouch and forthcoming iPad.