Best Loved Poems: Favourite Poems from the South of Ireland is a wonderfully illustrated anthology, filled with moving, accessible poems which will delight the general reader as well as the poetry specialist.
Its Kerry launch will be held in Woulfe’s Bookshop in Listowel from 2pm tomorrow, Saturday, November 19th.
The event will be conducted by Listowel stalwart Danny Hannon and many of the Kerry-based poets will be there to read excerpts of their work.
The book was edited by Moyvane born poet and writer, Gabriel Fitzmaurice and I was asked last year by Gabriel to supply a set of photographs from various areas around Munster to sit alongside the poems.
Invaluable Guidance
In this task I got invaluable guidance not only from Gabriel himself but also from the staff of Currach Press – the publishers.
On the road around the province, Eamon Fleming – himself a keen photographer – proved a Godsend in pointing out some of the locations – photographs from which made it into the book.
In this book you will find poems from the ninth century along with contemporary favourites, some translated from the original Irish, the rest written in English. This book articulates the passions of Munster women and men and opens a window to the soul of Ireland. It sings of love and death, religion and spirituality, faith and doubt, of mothers, fathers and their children.
A Passionate Account
There are political poems, in particular The Betrayal, a passionate account by President Michael D. Higgins of the failure of the Irish state that grew out of the struggle for independence in the period 1916-1921.
There is a large number of poems written by, and about, women – from the 9th century “The Old Woman Beare” translated lovingly from the Irish by Brendan Kennelly to Leanne O’Sullivan’s contemporary celebration of her grandmother’s life and death. Scartaglin born, Killarney resident poet, Eileen Sheehan has a poem Ego included in the anthology.
Poems of Poverty and Emigration
There are cursing poems, homages to the Irish language and to our native games of Gaelic football and hurling as well as poems of poverty and emigration.
Includes contributions from Michael D. Higgins, Brendan Kennelly, Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Paul Muldoon, Bernard O’Donoghue, Seán Ó Ríordáin, Michael Hartnett, John B. Keane, Bryan MacMahon, John O’Donohue, Brian Merriman, Eibhlín Dhubh Ní Chonaill, Desmond O’Grady, Dáibhí Ó Bruadair.
More about the Book
Best Loved Poems: Favourite Poems from the South of Ireland (ISBN: 9781782188902) is published by Currach Press and priced €24.99. The book is available in all good shops and can be ordered from www.currach.ie.
For more details please contact Ellen Monnelly on E: ellen@columba.ie T: 01 687 4096.
Signing Dates
Listowel: Saturday 19 November 2pm.; Dublin at Hodges Figgis, Wednesday 23 November 6-8pm.; Cork at Waterstone’s, Thursday 24 November 5-6 pm; Tralee at O’Mahoney’s Friday 25 November 6.30pm.; Ennis on Tuesday 29 November 6pm.; Thurles at Bookworm on Friday 2nd December 6.30 – 8 pm. Limerick and Castleisland signing sessions to be confirmed.
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