In his lecture, titled "Becoming a Writer: the things that hurt, the things that help", Richard Ford will talk about the experiences that led him to becoming a writer, including his delight in the story-telling of Frank O'Connor.

UCC's English Department, in association with Anglo Irish Bank, recently announced the establishment of an annual lecture series in honour of Cork's most celebrated writer, Frank O'Connor to be delivered by distinguished writers and critics. Speaking at the launch of the lecture series, Professor Colbert Kearney of the English Department, UCC said: "We are delighted that the inaugural lecturer will be Richard Ford, arguably the outstanding contemporary writer of fiction in English".

Richard Ford, one of the outstanding novelists of our time, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his novel, Independence Day, the second of a trilogy which opened with The Sportswriter and concluded this year with The Lay of the Land.  Among his many awards was an honorary degree from the National University of Ireland.  He has long been an admirer and champion of Frank O'Connor and a supporter of the annual Frank O'Connor Award for the best collection of short stories.

Earlier this year, UCC launched the 'Frank O'Connor Web Pages', a specially commissioned resource celebrating the work and life of the writer (www.frankoconnor.ie)

Members of the public are invited to attend the lecture.  Admission is free.

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