White House Poetry Night Limerick

By John Hartery

In the heart of Limerick City but a million miles away from the politics and big budgets of the City of Culture there's a timeless tradition going about its business  in the White House pub.

 A bunch of writers gather to read their work to each other and to those who are there just to listen.

An impromptu running order is developed. The poets proceed to the stage when called and recite their own work or that of others.

Last week there were poems of loss, violence, a very funny one about Elvis still hiding out in Limerick and one as gaeilge. For the week that was in it, the Percy French poem about the Queen's After Dinner Speech was given an excellent airing.

Interestingly, some read from dog-eared copybooks, some from those new-fangled, pesky smart phones and others recited from memory.

The event is free you can buy a drink at the bar and there's complimentary hot snacks thrown in. 

Bravo to all involved and long may it run.

You can read a report on their  bard brethren the Three Legged Stool Poets  from across the Shannon here 

'The Parting'- Launch of Patrick Stack Poetry Collection at Glór

Poets Patrick Stack and Kate O Shea 

I was sorry to miss this event featuring local poet Patrick Stack. Thanks to my guest blogger who captures the atmosphere in this report. I look forward to reading the poems in The Parting The Clare Three Legged Stool Poetry Group meet on the third Saturday afternoon of each month in Glor, Ennis. 

Patrick Stack Book Launch  April 20^th, 2013

Glór Theatre 2 in Ennis was the scene of the launch of “The Parting”, a collection of poetry by Patrick Stack, a Kerryman living in Kilmaley.  This is Stack’s, first collection and it showcases poems written over the past 30 years.  He is a member of the Clare Three-Legged Stool Poets and many comrades- in- poetry were on hand to celebrate with him, among them Brian Mooney, Paul Saalbach, Kate O’Shea, Mike Douse and Martin Vernon.

A nice buzz prevailed as people gathered in the foyer of Glór at three o’clock and Patrick was kept busy signing copies of his book. Wife Anna Marques Stack, daughter Deirdre and son Naoise greeted the crowd. Everyone then moved into Theatre 2 to music provided by piper Andrew Newland with Róisín on fiddle.

Keynote speaker for the launch was poet and novelist Fred Johnston, director of the Western Writers’ Centre in Galway. He spoke of the “violence of silence” in our time, where no one is willing to speak out, to tackle political issues, because of the “innate Irish terror of authority”. However, “there is nothing silent about Patrick Stack”, according to Johnston, “He is dangerous in our time”. Stack’s poetry speaks its mind and invites reaction. He rails against censorship and economic misery, and “a whole world that refuses to say anything”.  

Patrick then read a number of poems from his collection, giving their background stories. A talented linguist, his poetry features English, Irish, Portuguese and Krio Rap from Sierra Leone. The subject matter of his poems ranges from life in his childhood home in Kerry to the Lisbon Underground to a “non-experience” in a bar in Majorca and beyond. This collection provides the reader with a pot pourri of varied experiences, couched in rich language and vivid imagery - plenty of food for thought provoked by this newly published poet.

“The Parting” is published by AmethystDragon Archives and retails at 10 euro.

Written by guest blogger Cinnamon. 

'Flute Player' Personified at Clare Poets February

Featured Poet Brian Mooney 

His was an earthed universe....
When he played 

he seemed

 to gather up 

the notes 

that cascaded down 

from 

his timber flute

   from Flute Player for Des Mulkere

The Clare Poets kept the flame  burning at the monthly poetry vigil in Glór Foyer on 16th February . The featured poet was founder member Brian Mooney . Sadly Brian was indisposed but his daughter Cora read beautifully  from his work. Some of the lines had a particular resonance as special guest  was  Des Mulkere for whom Brian wrote Flute Player quoted above.   We heard Danny Boy and the Last Rose of Summer  and Des , a farmer and musician  knitted a number of threads in his discourse delivered in a rich sonorous voice-the Kiltartan Irish and his family's association with Yeats , Denis Hempson and the Belfast Harp Festival amongst others.  Mike Douse was in the chair  and added a note on John McCormack's recordings of Moore's Melodies. There was a lively open mike session with regulars and newcomers. I enjoyed  Pat Considine's ,The Waking Field and Patricia's eco conscious poem on Fracking, both attending for the first time I believe.    The always impressive Peter Kay picked up the WB thread with his  performances from memory  of  Bulla .  We had a  poem as Gaeilge from Pat McNamara and poems from Arthurs Watson and Joe Cronin.
The Clare Poets meet in Glor, Ennis on the third Saturday of each month. All are welcome, poets or hearers.