Welcome to my new podcast, A Celebration of Irish Poetry!
Poetry Day Ireland was celebrated last week on April 30th and it inspired me to look back over some of the poetry I have read and loved, both in my studies and over the years since.
Listen to the podcast below to hear my three favourite poems by Irish writers.
A Constable Calls – Seamus Heaney
This poem is told from a young Heaney’s perspective as a child when an English constable comes to the farm to check his father’s taxes. It’s a powerful recount of the tension between the Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland during the poet’s childhood.
Going Home to Mayo, Winter 1949 – Paul Durcan
Another poem presented from the perspective of the poet as a boy; in this Durcan recalls a visit with his father to their family in Mayo and how it offers them respite from their life in Dublin and a chance to reconnect, with the West and with each other.
A Ballad of Home – Eavan Boland
This poem explores the transition from house to home and the love between the couple that made it so. I wanted to include a poem of Boland’s after I was saddened to hear of her passing last week on April 27th. She was one of our finest poets and I hope you enjoy this poem.
I hope you enjoyed listening to this podcast, let me know if you did and head over to the Silver Linings Facebook group to share some of your favourites!
