Patrick Kavanagh Weekend

I hope to attend at least some of this weekend's annual Patrick Kavanagh Weekend in Inniskeen, Monaghan, a celebration of the life and work of one of Ireland’s best loved poets. It takes place from Friday to Sunday. Friday evening will see the announcement of the results of the Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award which is now in its 39th year. This is a competition for a poetry collection and past winners include many who have become well known names in the Irish poetry world including Eilean Ni Chuilleanain, Paul Durcan, Conor O'Callaghan, Pat Boran and Peter Sirr. Last year's winner was Geraldine Mitchell from Co. Mayo.

Poet, playwright, novelist Brian Lynch is the Judge for this year’s competition.

Also on Friday evening the Keynote Address entitled A Stake in the Country will be delivered by Irish Times columnist, Frank McNally. He was born close by in Carrickmacross. Later at 9pm award winning poet and flute player Ciaran Carson, one of Ireland's most celebrated and prolific poets, will read from his own works and will be joined by local singer Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin, accompanied by internationally acclaimed harpist Helen Davies in a concert of words and music: From Amergin to Kavanagh.

The full programme, including poet John F. Deane reading from his recent collection A Little Book of Hours, is available at the link above.

Kavanagh painting above by William Mulhall from the Apollo Gallery website. Check out his portrait of Dylan!