National Poetry Day

The Poetry Ireland page for this year's National Poetry Day seems a bit empty. There are many more readings going on that are featured. Unfortunately in some places it's a case of wheel out the old familiars, no new names or innovation. Not the best way to increase exposure to contemporary poetry IMHO.

Antrim - (Seriously? Nothing in Antrim?)
 

Armagh - 7.30pm, Armagh City Library, Market Street, Armagh

The John Hewitt Society and Armagh City Chapter, in association with Poetry Ireland, present and All-Ireland Poetry Day Poetry Reading with Gráinne Tobin, whose second collection from Summer Palace Press, The Nervous Flyer's Companion, was published in May, and Iggy McGovern, whose new collection, Safe House, is due for publication by Dedalus Press in October.
For more information contact Armagh Libary on t 028 3752 4072 or e armaghlibrary@librariesni.org (booking is advised)

Carlow -

Cavan - 10.30 - 1pm, Johnston Central Library, Farnham Street, Cavan Town
Cavan County Arts Office presents a reading by poet Noel Monahan, winner of the 2001 Poetry Ireland / Seacat National award. For more information contact: heatherbrett22@hotmail.com




Cavan - 8pm, Chapter 1, Main Street
Meath/Cavan LitLab Writers Group present a poetry reading.

Clare - 7pm, Courthouse Gallery, Ennistymon


Salmon Press presents readings by Rita Ann Higgins, Mary Mullen, Susan Millar DuMars, Kevin Higgins, Mary Madec and Glenn Shea.





Cork - 8pm, Library Building, County Hall Campus, Carrigrohane Road, Cork
Cork County Library and Arts Service present a reading by poet John Montague. Montague was the first Ireland Professor of Poetry, and recently named as a recipient of the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur. He has taught at UCD, the Sorbonne, and for many years at UCC. Montague has published nine collections of poetry including The Great Cloak (1978) and The Dead Kingdom (1984).



Derry - 2pm, Verbal Arts Centre, Stable Lane and Mall Wall, Bishop Street Within, Derry / Londonderry
The Verbal Arts Centre and Abridged Magazine present a joint celebration of All Ireland Poetry day from 2pm – 4pm at the Verbal Arts Centre. Gregory McCartney, editor of Abridged will be introducing readings from a selection of Abridged contributors, past and present.
Abridged Magazine is one of the leading Irish contemporary poetry/art publications and presents in each issue the best of local, national and international poets and artists. The magazine is unique in that the poetry and art are completely integrated and not merely illustrative. Each issue is themed and recent issues have been 'Time' and 'Absence'. The new issue 'Magnolia' is available now featuring Paul Muldoon amongst many others.

Donegal - 8ú, Tigh Hudaí Beag, Gaoth Dobhair
Filíocht agus ceol le scríbhneoirí agus ceoltóirí áitiúla. Scoth den litríocht agus an ceol. Soláistí curtha ar fáíl. Saor in aisce.

Down - Welcoming the Wild Geese event in Strangford (on the 9th though)


Dublin - 1.00pm, National Library of Ireland, 2 Kildare Street, D2
Poetry Ireland in association with the National Library presents a reading by Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, whose latest collection The Sun-fish won the 2010 Griffin Poetry Prize. Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin is a former editor of Poetry Ireland Review, and a founder and editor of Irish literary magazine Cyphers.

Fermanagh - 1pm, Higher Bridges Gallery, The Clinton Centre, Belmore St, Enniskillen

Fermanagh District Council presents poetry readings by Damian Smyth, poet and Head of Literature and Drama at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and Kevin Quinn, poet, critic, and director of the 'Talking Poetry' lecture programme.

Galway - Kevin Higgins and Máire Holmes in the chapel of University College Hospital Galway, starting at 11am. The reading is organised by Galway University Hospitals Arts Trust and for All Ireland Poetry Day every patient in the hospital (and in five other hosptials around the country too) will receive 'a Menu of Poems' with their breakfast which will feature 12 poems by 6 poets from each hospital's area

Kerry -


Kildare -


Kilkenny - 10am - 6pm, MacDonagh Junction, Kilkenny
Kilkenny County Council Arts Office presents Poethon - Poetry in the air on the square. A marathon of readings by poets Janet E Sahafi, Elinor Mountain, Frank Marshall, Michael Massey, Frances Cotter, Willie Joe Meally, Carmel Cummins and others of original poems and favourite works. The nearby Stone House bookshop will host a poetry book swap basket.


1.30pm, City Library, John’s Quay
Kilkenny County Library presents a reading by Mark Roper, former editor of Poetry Ireland Review, and winner of the 1992 Aldeburgh Poetry Prize, as well as readings from contributors to the library’s poetry project “Poets on Boards". 





Laois -


Leitrim - 8.30pm, THE DOCK, Carrick-on Shannon
Leitrim poet/playwright and radio presenter Vincent Woods will launch and introduce poets from the recently published anthology, Landing Places.  The anthology featrues sixty-six international poets who have made their homes in Ireland. The evening will feature poets who have published in Landing Places alongside new writing from immigrants and locals in Leitrim, some who have just completed a series of poetry workshops at The Dock with poet Alice Lyons.


Limerick -


Longford -


Louth - 1pm, DkIT Library Rooftop Garden Atrium, Dundalk IT
DkIT Library hosts a Lunchtime Garden Poetry reading, with the theme of ‘Transitions’. Those who want to read their own work or work by well-known poets and anyone is welcome to listen in.  

Drogheda Library, Stockwell St

Writer and poet Marie MacSweeney will read from her work at 1.30pm, and the Viaduct Bards host their own poetry session from 6.30 to 7.30pm.  




7.30pm,  Holy Trinity Heritage Centre, Carlingford


Jaki McCarrick, poet, playwright and fiction writer, will read from her work. McCarrick has published poetry in Poetry Ireland Review, Revival, Boyne Berries, Southword, Cyphers, Cathach, among many others. Her recent play Leopoldville, was short-listed for the Adrienne Benham Award, and selected by David Hare as a finalist in the 2010 Yale Drama Series Playwriting Competition; the play has also just won the 2010 Papatango New Writing Award. 

8.30pm,  McGeough’s, Roden Place, Dundalk
'Meitheal Open Mic' series, where all are welcome to sign up and read their poems alongside featured readers, The Poetry Divas. 






Mayo - 6.30pm, Mayo County Library, Castlebar


Mayo Arts Office & Mayo County Library present readings by Anne Le Marquand Hartigan and John F.Deane. For further information please contact Mayo Arts Office on 094 9024444 ext 7471/ 7558 or by e-mail mayoarts@mayococo.ie



Meath - 7pm, Navan Library, Railway St
Meath County Council Library Service and the Meath Writers Circle presents a poetry open mic for readers to read their favourite poem. For more information contact 046-9021134 or by email navanlib@meathcoco.ie


12pm, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Loman St, Trim
The Boyne Writers Group presents a poetry reading session, all are welcome to attend and read a favourite poem, a poem of their own, or just to listen to the readings.

5pm, Resource Centre, Carrick St, Kells
The Boyne Writers Group presents a poetry reading session, all are welcome to attend and read a favourite poem, a poem of their own, or just to listen to the readings.

Monaghan -


Offaly -

Roscommon -


Sligo - 1pm, Sligo Central Library, Stephen Street,
Sligo Central Library will present readings by Mary Branley, Macdara Woods and Dermot Healy. 




Tipperary - 8pm, County Museum, Clonmel, Co Tipperary

South Tipperary Arts Office and County Museum present an open-mic and networking event featuring guest poet Grace Wells. For further information contact Sally O’Leary, Arts Officer, South Tipperary County Council 052 6134565 or email sally.oleary@southtippcoco.ie







8pm, Lough Derg Yacht Club, Dromineer


Dromineer Literary Festival in association with North Tipperary Arts Office presents a reading by Dave Lordan.





Tyrone - 7.00pm, Strabane Library, Railway Road Strabane

Northern Ireland libraries service presents a reading with Maureen Boyle, winner of the 2007 Strokestown International Poetry Competition.

Waterford - 1.15pm, Waterford Regional Hospital
The Waterford Healing Trust in association with the Waterford City Council Arts Office presents a Menu of Poems featuring two poems by local poets that will be distributed on every breakfast tray in University Hospital Galway, St. Patricks Hospital, Waterford Regional Hospital, Adelaide and Meath Hospital and Naas General Hospital. At 1.15pm in the Church at Waterford Regional Hospital, poet Michael Coady will give a public poetry reading from his book One Another (Gallery Press, 2003), including the series The Place of Hurt and Healing about his experiences of being a patient in hospital. This simple project aims to provide a poetic reverie for patients in the course of their day in hospital. Anyone wishing to get a copy of the Menu of Poems should contact Mary Grehan on mary.grehan@hse.ie or phone 051 842664.

Westmeath -

Wexford - 10.45am, Wexford Town Library, McCauley's Carpark, Wexford
Wexford Town Library presents an open mic for anyone to read their favourite poem - as well as joining in the discussion led by 3 poems chosen by writer and teacher Niall McMonagle.




Wexford - 7pm, Wexford Town Library, McCauley's Carpark, Wexford
Wexford Town Library presents a poetry reading and discussion for reading circles, book clubs, poetry groups and friends. The evening, hosted by the Thursday Night Reading Circle, will feature poets with a Wexford connection.  

Wicklow -