Reading at Yeats Summer School

I was delighted to read poetry in Sligo yesterday at the final day of the 54th Yeats International Summer School. The Yeats Memorial Building is a great venue and the room was full.

I read with two other fine Sligo poets, Ann Joyce and Peggie Gallagher. Ann had already featured in the Summer School having delivered an excerpt from her work Meadbh -The Crimson Path at the Yeats Summer Suite of Music, Spoken Word and Dance. This collaborative performance piece relates the legend of the fabled warrior queen of Connacht and journeys through the ancient and mythical landscape of first century Ireland.

Peggie Gallagher was winner of the Listowel Writers’ Week Poetry Collection in 2012 and her collection, Tilth, published by Arlen House, was launched at this year's Listowel Festival. Two great poets, very good readers of their work, and the audience enjoyed them.

We each read for twenty minutes which gave us time for relaxed introductions and a good selection of material. I rambled from Coolaney to Florence, from early childhood to later life, included some from Asking for Directions and more recent ones including the Fermoy poem.

Eilo, as usual, was a great host and set a wonderfully relaxed tone for the readings. The School Director, Meg Harper, said some kind words at the end. It was a great thrill to be a part, even a very small part, of the Summer School. Thanks to all involved.