ALL IRELAND POETRY DAY 2009

I'm reading tomorrow in Athlone Library for All Ireland Poetry Day.

Venue: Aidan Heavey Public Library, Athlone Town Centre, Co Westmeath

Time: 7pm, 1st October

There are hundreds events on all around the country so do try to get to something.

I'll read from Molly's Daughter, Tattoo:Tatú and my forthcoming pamphlet Portrait of the Artist with a Red Car.

LÁ'LE PÁDRAIG FAOI MHAISE!

Lá 'le Pádraig faoi mhaise / Happy Saint Patrick's Day, y'all!!

I have one Paddy's day poem (based on actual events!) which was in Tattoo:Tatú my last collection, so here it is:


SAINT PATRICK’S DAY, GALWAY

Two tame-as-a-lapdog elephants
march their own private parade
across Quincentennial Bridge,
their keepers suited and smiling.

I buy a moonstone, to balance
my raging yin and yang, try to
sidestep splats of piss and vomit,
the gaggles of green-clad drunks.

A footpath slaps up to meet me,
my sober steps none-too careful,
kneecaps and pride dented, I joke
ruefully with the ambulance crew.

WORLD BOOK DAY GIVEAWAY

AND THE WINNER IS...LIZ!!



Happy World Book Day!

I will send a signed copy (anywhere in the world) of Tattoo:Tatú to one reader of Women Rule Writer, in honour of this celebratory day.

Just leave a comment in the comments box to say you would like to be in the draw and I'll tell you who has won tomorrow!

Tattoo-Tatú featured on Raw Light

The title poem from my last collection Tattoo-Tatú is featured on Jane Holland's Raw Light blog for her Short Season of Other Poets here.

Jane Holland is a poet, novelist and editor of the online arts magazine, Horizon Review. She is also a newly appointed commissioning editor at Salt.

Tattoo - Tatú - Review & Interview

Language enthusiast Aidan Walsh, over at the Faoiseamh Blog, reviewed Tattoo:Tatú here.

He subsequently interviewed me about the book and the writing process and that interviews appears today here.

Big thanks to Aidan for his interest. Be sure to read his other posts on what it's like to live in Holland, with a Polish wife, bringing up three kids trilingually. Fascinating stuff.