My Poetry Readings with Declan Walsh

• 'On Raglan Road' - by Patrick Kavanagh (Last in Series - S1E13)

  About the Poem'On Raglan Road' was written by a 40 year old Patrick Kavanagh for a young 22 year old medical student, Hilda Moriarty. It was first published in the Irish Press newspaper in 1946 under the title ‘Dark Haired Miriam Ran Away’.    The song we all know as Raglan Road combines the lyrics of Kavanagh poem to the air of the song ‘The Dawning of the Day’. Kavanagh approached , Luke Kelly, from the Dubliners,  in the Baily Bar in Dublin in 1966 and asked him would he sing something he had written back in the 1940’s The rest, as they say , is history ____________________________________About the PoetPatrick Kavanagh was born in Inniskeen, County Monaghan, in 1904 and is generally regarded as one of Ireland most eminent and favorite poets. His first collection of poems was published while he was still working on the farm, and first appeared in 1928 in the Dundalk Democrat and Irish Independent. He died , aged only 63, on 30 November 1967 and is buried in his birthplace  - Inniskeen, in Monaghan____________________________________How to Listen and followYou can listen to the podcast , My Poetry Readings, on iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts by clicking on any of the links above or on the podcast websiteYou can also subscribe and follow the podcast on social media by clicking on the links either on the top banner or the links below:-Facebook -   @mypoetryreadingsInstagram -  @mypoetryreadingsTwitter:-       @mypoetryreadin1Youtube:-      My Poetry Readings with Declan Walsh___________________________________Now for the promotion bit!I hope you enjoy and looking forward to hearing any comments or suggestions that you may have .If you have enjoyed , please spread the word , like , share  (etc!)  -by  clicking the 'Share  Episode' link above.   If you can, please leave a review and star rating on Apple Podcasts. This will help others to also enjoy the podcast.Thanks for listening  - Till next time..Slán go fóillDeclan______________________________________________Other linksOn Raglan Road - Luke Kelly (Song and meeting Kavanagh) On Raglan Road - Tommy Macken (Poem)On Raglan Road - Dermot KennedyOn Raglan Road - Glen Hansard Declan O'RourkeOn Raglan Road - Mark KnopflerOn Raglan Road - Van Morrison & The ChieftainsThe Patrick Kavanagh CentrePatrick Kavanagh - The Pincer Jaws of Heaven (Short Film)

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• 'The Song of the Wandering Aengus' - by WB Yeats (S1E12)

  About the Poem'The Song of the Wandering Aengus' is told from the point of view of an old man who, at some point in his past, had a fantastical experience in which a silver trout fish he had caught and laid on the floor turned into a "glimmering girl" who called him by his name, then vanished; he became infatuated with her, and remains devoted to finding her again.  It has been claimed that the poem's story is based on the Irish god Aengus, and specifically the story of the "Dream of Aengus", which had first appeared in the 8th century, in which Aengus falls in love with a woman whom he sees only in his dreams. It’s more likely that Yeats got a basic idea from the story of how Aengus fell in love with a girl he saw in a dream and then spent years searching for her – a theme Yeats knew only too well, having loved and unsuccessfully pursued the beautiful Maud Gonne for most of his life.____________________________________About the PoetWilliam Butler Yeats, more commonly known as, W.B. Yeats, was born in Dublin, in 1865 and is wildly regarded as one of the influential poets on both the national and international stage.   A pillar of the Irish literary establishment, he was one of co-founders of the Abbey Theatre and  became a Senator in the Irish Free State in 1922 .He died, aged 73, on January 28 1939 in France and was later buried in Drumcliffe Churchyard, Co Sligo____________________________________How to Listen and followYou can listen to the podcast , My Poetry Readings, on iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts by clicking on any of the links above or on the podcast websiteYou can also subscribe and follow the podcast on social media by clicking on the links either on the top banner or the links below:-Facebook -   @mypoetryreadingsInstagram -  @mypoetryreadingsTwitter:-       @mypoetryreadin1Youtube:-      My Poetry Readings with Declan Walsh___________________________________Now for the promotion bit!I hope you enjoy and looking forward to hearing any comments or suggestions that you may have .If you have enjoyed , please spread the word , like , share  (etc!)  -by  clicking the 'Share  Episode' link above.   If you can, please leave a review and star rating on Apple Podcasts. This will help others to also enjoy the podcast.Thanks for listening  - Till next time..Slán go fóillDeclan______________________________________________Other linksReading - Michael GambonReading - Sam NeillSong - Christy MooreSong - The WaterboysSong - DonovanSong - Judy CollinsSong - 10,000 Manics

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• 'You Don't Get to be Racist and Irish' - Imelda May (S1E11)

  About the PoemYou Don't Get To Be Racist And Irish" documents Irish people's history of immigration and emigration and May says that it is now time for Irish people to return the favor.The poem also touches on Ireland's history and heritage, pointing out the hypocrisy of singing songs glorifying Irish freedom, the Famine, and martyrs in the struggle for Irish independence while simultaneously ignoring or looking down on people who are now suffering. The poem took centre stage on 200 billboards across the country in 2020 and coincided with the launch of Rethink Ireland, a new Government backed  equality fund set up to help those most affected by inequality.____________________________________About the PoetImelda Mary Clabby, professionally known as Imelda May, is an Irish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.  Described as "a unique vocal talent," May is known for her musical style of rockabilly revival and has also been compared to female jazz musicians such as Billie Holiday. Born and raised in The Liberties area of Dublin in  1974, May began her career in music at 16 by performing with a number of local bands and musicians. She formed her own band in 2002, and released her debut studio album, in 2003 and has released a further 4 albums since then, Her next album, 11past the House is due for release in April 2021 Although known primarily as a singer, she also plays the bodhrán, guitar, bass guitar and tambourine. And Most recently, she has been sharing some of her poems, Her debut spoken word EP of 9 poems set to music  - "Slip of the Tongue" was released in 2020.____________________________________How to Listen and followYou can listen to the podcast , My Poetry Readings, on iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts by clicking on any of the links above or on the podcast websiteYou can also subscribe and follow the podcast on social media by clicking on the links either on the top banner or the links below:-Facebook -   @mypoetryreadingsInstagram -  @mypoetryreadingsTwitter:-       @mypoetryreadin1Youtube:-      My Poetry Readings with Declan Walsh___________________________________Now for the promotion bit!I hope you enjoy and looking forward to hearing any comments or suggestions that you may have .If you have enjoyed , please spread the word , like , share  (etc!)  -by  clicking the 'Share  Episode' link above.   If you can, please leave a review and star rating on Apple Podcasts. This will help others to also enjoy the podcast.Thanks for listening  - Till next time..Slán go fóillDeclan______________________________________________Other linksReading by Imelda May - RTE for Culture June 2020

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• 'The Planter's Daughter - by Austin Clarke (S1E10)

  About the PoemThe society depicted in the poem , The Planters Daughter,  is one reminiscent of images of Ireland in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. A planter was usually an English or Scotsman, brought in by the British, who bought  confiscated land in  Ireland  quite cheaply , who then employed local people to work on it In effect, he was the local landlord, living in the ‘Big House’ , often seen as people of wealth and be of  higher class – and would certainly not mix with the lower classes. However , in this poem, Austin Clarke portrays the planter's daughter, rather than being aloof, as a down to earth and approachable person who certainly doesn't see herself as above anyone else. The most interesting feature of ‘The Planter’s Daughter’ is the indirect way in which Clarke presents the subject of the poem and this indirect treatment creates a certain mystique around her.____________________________________About the PoetAustin Clarke was born in Stoneybatter, Dublin in 1896He was one of the leading Irish poets of the generation after W. B. Yeats  and  he also wrote novels, plays and memoirs. His main contribution to Irish poetry was the rigour with which he used technical means borrowed from classical Irish language poetry when writing in the English language.In addition to some twenty volumes of poetry and numerous plays, Clarke published three novels  and two volumes of memoirs, and while all of these prose writings are of interest, Clarke's reputation rests firmly on his poetry.He dies in Dublin in March 1974____________________________________How to Listen and followYou can listen to the podcast , My Poetry Readings, on iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts by clicking on any of the links above or on the podcast websiteYou can also subscribe and follow the podcast on social media by clicking on the links either on the top banner or the links below:-Facebook -   @mypoetryreadingsInstagram -  @mypoetryreadingsTwitter:-       @mypoetryreadin1Youtube:-      My Poetry Readings with Declan Walsh___________________________________Now for the promotion bit!I hope you enjoy and looking forward to hearing any comments or suggestions that you may have .If you have enjoyed , please spread the word , like , share  (etc!)  -by  clicking the 'Share  Episode' link above.   If you can, please leave a review and star rating on Apple Podcasts. This will help others to also enjoy the podcast.Thanks for listening  - Till next time..Slán go fóillDeclan______________________________________________Other linksBord Na Mona Advertisement

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• 'Begin' - by Brendan Kennelly (S1E9)

  About the PoemCommunicated through the description of a morning walk across the Grand Canal in Dublin, the poem is a philosophical reflection on starting something new again. It starts off as a celebration of a new day, full refreshing opportunity, and goes on  to examining the harder things in life. It is filled with the sense of determination to be grateful for everyday experiences. Even though the poem is full of hope, it acknowledges that promises and beginnings are “born in light”, only to die “in dark”. The themes of loneliness and persevering in the face of adversity are both very much evident in this poem.____________________________________About the PoetBrendan Kennelly is one of Ireland’s most distinguished and best loved poets, as well as a renowned teacher and cultural commentator.He was Professor of Modern Literature at Trinity College,  in Dublin until 2005 and since his retirement he has been titled "Professor Emeritus" by the same university. A prolific and fluent writer, he has more than fifty books of poetry to his credit, and his poetry, at times, can be quite down-to-earth and colloquial.  He is popular and controversial, and sometimes quite irreverent and avoids intellectual pretension.  His vision defies any attempt to impose strict categories on the world. As a native Irish speaker , he has translated and published many Irish poems into English and in 2010 he was awarded the Irish PEN Award for his contribution to Irish Literature.  He now lives in Listowel, Co. Kerry. ___________________________________How to Listen and followYou can listen to the podcast , My Poetry Readings, on iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts by clicking on any of the links above or on the podcast websiteYou can also subscribe and follow the podcast on social media by clicking on the links either on the top banner or the links below:-Facebook -   @mypoetryreadingsInstagram -  @mypoetryreadingsTwitter:-       @mypoetryreadin1Youtube:-      My Poetry Readings with Declan Walsh___________________________________Now for the promotion bit!I hope you enjoy and looking forward to hearing any comments or suggestions that you may have .If you have enjoyed , please spread the word , like , share  (etc!)  -by  clicking the 'Share  Episode' link above.   If you can, please leave a review and star rating on Apple Podcasts. This will help others to also enjoy the podcast.Thanks for listening  - Till next time..Slán go fóillDeclan______________________________________________Other linksBrendan Kennelly - Begin - Listowel Writers Week 2017In Conversation with Brendan Kennelly

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