The Poetry Programme: Series 2

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Programme 31: 5th July 2008

Programme 30: 28th June 2008

Programme 29: 21st June 2008

Programme 28: 14th June 2008

Programme 27: 7th June 2008

Programme 26: 31st May 2008

Programme 25: 24th May 2008

Programme 24: 17th May 2008
Poet, Aosdána member and one of the founding editors of literary review 'Cyphers', Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin speaks to Gerald Dawe on tonight's The Poetry Programme.

Programme 23: 10th May 2008

Programme 22: 3rd May 2008
In the second of two programme on the life and works of Samuel Beckett, Gerald Dawe talks to Eoin O'Brien, author and lifelong friend of the Nobel Prize winner. They are joined by actor Barry Mc Govern whose one man show 'I'll Go On', based on the writings of Beckett, has been acclaimed wherever it has played around the world.

Programme 21: 26th April 2008
Poet and playwright, Austin Clarke, was a hugely influential figure in the forty years after the establishment and growth of the new Irish State from the 1920s on. His life and work coincided with the emergence of the New Ireland and Clarke was, in his poetry and writings, a major commentator and often critic of what he saw as the hypocrisy of the new state in allying itself with the Catholic Church, the imposition of censorship and the enforced learning of the Irish language.

As both poet and playwright, he was rooted in the mythology and literature of the Gaelic past. His translations from the Irish language are among the finest ever done - 'The Blackbird of Derrycairn' - and his first collection, 'The Vengeance of Fionn,' drew on that rich and inexhaustible tradition. He founded the Dublin Verse-Speaking Society and his first novel 'The Bright Temptation' was banned in 1932.

Novelist, award winning and celebrated playwright, former Professor of English at UCG, Aosdana Member Tom Kilroy talks to Gerald Dawe about his lifelong admiration for and fascination with that unique man of letters that was Austin Clarke. In the programme you can hear the unmistakable gravely-voiced Clarke reading some of his most admired poems.

Programme 20: 19th April 2008
This week's The Poetry Programme features Hungarian poet and translator George Szirtes. George Szirtes was born in Budapest in 1948 and after the revolution in 1956 he fled to England as a refugee. He began publishing poetry in the 1970s and won several major awards for his writing including the T.S Eliot prize in 2005.
In conversation with Gerald Dawe he explores his relationship with the two languages central to his life and work - English and Hungarian. He also talks about the difficult art of translation and reads some of his poems which span over thirty years of publication.

Programme 19: 12th April 2008
THE POETRY PROGRAMME: CELEBRATES THE POETRY OF SAMUEL BECKETT

Although known internationally as perhaps the greatest playwright of the 20th century, Samuel Beckett also has a considerable reputation as a novelist and poet. While his plays and novels are suffused which inventive and startling imagery, it is his poetry which is the focus of The Poetry Programme this week.
Gerald Dawe is joined in studio by Eoin O'Brien, Beckett scholar and author of 'The Beckett Country: Samuel Beckett's Ireland' and Barry Mc Govern, the greatest living exponent of Samuel Beckett's work whose one man show 'I'll Go On' and performance as Vladimir in 'Waiting for Godot' have been acclaimed on stages throughout the world.
In the programme Eoin O'Brien talks about the man he knew since the early 1970s and his lifelong fascination with his writing. Barry Mc Govern, a performer and interpreter of Samuel Beckett's work, reads a selection of the poems and explains how, after years of performing Beckett on stage, he still finds his work an endless source of inspiration and enrichment.

Programme 18: 5th April 2008
HE POETRY PROGRAMME: CELEBRATES THE LIFE AND WORK OF DAVID MARCUS

On the occasion of the publication of Lost and Found - Collected Poems by David Marcus The Poetry Programme salutes a man who has been an extraordinary inspiring force in shaping the course of Irish writing for more than half a century.
In this programme presenter Gerald Dawe talks to two of David Marcus' protégées, writers Gerard Fanning and Anthony Glavin, who speak with warmth, appreciation and great affection of a man who has been a giant in Irish literature.

Programme 17: 29th March 2008

Programme 16: 22nd March 2008

The Poetry Programme this week previews the DLR Poetry Now Festival which takes place from 3 - 6 April in The Pavilion, Dun Laoghaire. One of the biggest and most prestigious literary festivals in the country, this year Poetry Now brings together some of the most exciting voices from home and abroad. Belinda Mc Keon, Curator of the Poetry Now Festival and poet Thomas Mc Carthy talk to Gerald Dawe about the highlights of this crowded three day feast of writers and writing.
Among the poets reading will be Nobel Prize winner, Seamus Heaney and visiting poets Ruth Padel and George Szirtes. One of the special events will be a celebration of the life and work of the American poet Theodore Roethke with Richard Murphy. Richard knew the poet during his stay in Ireland. Thomas Mc Carthy's poetry has been greatly inspired by Roethke.
In the programme you can hear an archive recording of Theodore Roethke reading one of his most famous poems 'The Waking'. Also in the programme Thomas Mc Carthy reads a new poem he wrote in tribute to the master Roethke.
Guest Belinda Mc Keon brings a fresh energy and vitality to an established festival while poet Thomas Mc Carthy reminds us that in the business of writing "words alone are certain good."

Programme 15: 15th March 2008

Programme 14: 8th March 2008

Programme 13: 1st March 2008

Programme 12: 23rd February 2008

Programme 11: 16th February 2008
Gerald Dawe speaks with guests Johnathan Williams, a literary agent and Sarah Binchy, writer and radio producer.

Poetry in Motion ranging from poems on the DART to poetry in public places including the great variety of recordings out there in the wide world of audio CDs and websites.

Programme 10: 9th February 2008
THE POETRY PROGRAMME CELEBRATES THE APPOINTMENT OF MICHAEL LONGLEY TO THE IRELAND CHAIR OF POETRY (2008 - 2011)

"I live for those moments when language takes over the enterprise, and insight races ahead of knowledge. Occasionally I have things to say, or there is something I want to describe. But these are not my main reasons for writing."
Michael Longley

Belfast born poet , Michael Longley, who has recently been appointed to the Ireland Chair of Poetry which celebrates the exceptional contribution of Irish poets to the world of literature, is Gerald Dawe's guest on The Poetry Programme on RTE Radio , Saturday 9th February 2008. The Ireland chair of Poetry was the first cross-border chair and is co-funded by the two Arts Councils of Ireland, Queen's University Belfast, Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin. The first occupant of the Chair was John Montague, the second Nuala Ni Dhomnaill and the third Paul Durcan. Michael Longley, who is the fourth poet to be honoured as Ireland Chair of Poetry, has been described as "one of the finest lyric poets of our century." (John Burnside)

Michael Longley was born in Belfast in 1939 and was educated at the Royal Belfast Academical institution and Trinity college Dublin. His first collection of poetry, "No Continuing City," was published to great acclaim in 1969. he has been awarded several prodigious literary awards including the Whitbread Poetry Award, The T. S. Eliot Prize and. He is a member of Aosdana. He lives in Belfast with his wife, the critic, Edna Longley.

"Michael Longley's poetry bursts from the mainsprings of language and feeling, It signals, too, his gift as a lyric poet whose structural creativity and obversational and acuity have flushed out the conventionality of the lyric form, and brought it to a fresh set of engagements with traditional themes; nature and war, love and death."
Eve Patten (2002)

In a personal and fascinatingly wide-ranging interview with fellow Belfast poet and presenter, Gerald Dawe, Michael Longley talks about his growing up in Belfast, his love of jazz, his early tentative steps in writing poetry, his friendship with Seamus Heaney and Derek Mahon, his love of nature and the forces and passions that have shaped his life and his writing. A short four line poem which opens his collection "The Ghost Orchid" might indeed be said to set the agenda for this very special edition of The Poetry Programme :

FORM
"Trying to tell it all to you and cover everything
Is like awakening from its grassy form the hare:
In that make-shift shelter of your hand, then my hand
Mislays the hare and the warmth it leaves behind."

Programme 9: 2nd February 2008
Irish poet, playwright and Professor of Creative Writing in University College Dublin, Frank Mc Guinness, is Gerald Dawe's guest in The Poetry Programme this Sturday night. His fourth collection of poetry entitled "Dulse" has just been published and is suffused with the aura of myth and folk tale, of travel and the power of memory.

In the programme he discusses the strong influence on his life and writing of his native Donegal, the influence and friendship of artists he has known, poems written in memory of journalist Mary Holland and novelist John Mc Gahern and the powerful influence of nature in an ever-changing world.

"The swans have deserted.
They leave the pond for Tir-na-nOg.
But age fetters them.
They eat their young.
Their feathers are red
Ice cream, their wings hems."

From "Blackrock Park"

"Dulse" by Frank Mc Guinness is published by The Gallery Press.

Frank Mc Guinness' version of "Miss Julie" by August Strindberg is currently playing at the Peacock Theatre in Dublin.

Later The National Theatre in London will be performing his version of "Oedipus" starring Ralph Fiennes.

Programme 8: 26th January 2008
SALMON POETRY (1981 - 2007)

Presenter Gerald Dawe presents a programme celebrating and assessing the impact of Salmon Poetry, one of the most innovative and exciting publishers of Irish and international poetry. The book under discussion in Saturday night's programme is the new anthology reflecting the wide scope and variety of Salmon Poetry over 26 years : "Salmon : A Journey in Poetry, !981 - 2007." The anthology, which will be discussed by Salmon poets, Maurice Harmon, Ann Hartigan and Rory Brennan, selects some of the finest poems from the 200 volumes that have been published by Jessie Lendennie, one of the most imaginative, hard-working and dedicated of Irish publishers.

Over the years many tributes have been paid to Salmon Poetry :

"Unquestionably the most important publisher of poetry in Ireland." Fintan O'Toole, critic and journalist

"Salmon Poetry has contributed enormously to making poetry a popular and regular shopping commodity." Books Ireland

"Salmon Poetry is one of the most innovative, perceptive and important publishing houses in the U. K. or Ireland. It has fostered and supported the work of new writers and has established them in the public consciousness." Poet Eavan Boland

Guest poets on The Poetry Programme, Maurice Harmon, Ann Hartigan and Rory Brennan will be reading from their own poetry as well as discussing the significance

of this landmark Salmon Poetry volume which publishes poets, both Irish and international, ranging from Carol Ann Duffy and James Simmons to Ray Bradbury and Mary O'Donnell.

Programme 7: 19th January 2008
The first edition of the Poetry Programme with new presenter Gerald Dawe celebrates the life and work of the great Irish poet Sean O Riordain who died thirty years ago. Writing in "The Field Day Anthology" Professor Eoghan O hAnluain assesses the importance of O Riordan in the Irish literary tradition :

"With Sean O Riordain one is aware of being at a frontier of both language and sensibility. The interaction of these has produced poems, at times elusive and obscure, but his extension of both language and sensibility marks one of the finer achievements of Irish Literature."

The programme features the voice of Sean O Riordain reading some of his poems and broadcaster and editor of the O Riordain selected poems (Scathan Vearsai), Cian O hEigeartha with Alan Titley, Professor of Irish at University College Cork discussing this major poet.The programme attempts to assess O Riordain's poetic imagination, his honesty in the face of despair and suffering and his invigoration of the Irish poetic tradition after four hundred years.

For those only vaguely acquainted with the work of O Riordain the programme will be a revelation. For those familiar with the work of of the poet who stretched the poetic and linguistic limits of the Irish language, the programme will send them back to the work of one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.

Programme 6: 12th January 2008

Programme 5: 5th January 2008
Students from Zion Parish Primary School in Rathgar, Dublin read from and discuss their remarkable poetry publication, "and who am i," which is lavishly illustrated by the students themselves. Their visionary teacher, Tom Conaty, who is a poet himself and Enda Wylie, poet, teacher and childrens' author discuss the teaching of poetry in schools and the remarkable process that led to these eleven year old students arriving at an appreciation of poetry that is fresh, vital and imaginative.

Programme 4: 29th December 2007
Pat Boran and guests discuss an exciting new anthology from Bloodaxe Press. "Soul Food" - Nourishing Poems for Starved Minds. Drawn from many traditions, this anthology presents a selection of poems to stimulate thought, celebrate life in all its variety and cause us to reflect in the hectic times in which we live.

Programme 3: Christmas Day 2007
"Round the Christmas Tree"
Pat Boran is joined by guests who celebrate the day by choosing their favourite poetry, music and personal highlights of the year. Adding to the Christmas spirit will be poet, Rita Ann Higgins, cartoonist and man of letters, Tom Mathews, Indian born novelist and columnist, Cauvery Madhavan and former diplomat, novelist and now editor of "Magill," Eamon Delaney.

Programme 2: 22nd December 2007
In the company of actor and broadcaster, Sharon Hogan and poet and editor, Peter Sirr, presenter Pat Boran will be looking back at some of the highlights of the year's poetry published in 2007. Among the publications under review will be "The Best of Irish Poetry" from Southword Editions and "Poetry Ireland Review" which was edited until recently by Peter Sirr.

Programme 1: 15th December 2007
The Poetry Programme, presented by Pat Boran, returns with a feature on one of the most exciting and enjoyable anthologies of the year. "Ireland's Other Poetry" - Anonymous to Zozimus, is an exciting and hilarious collection drawn from four centuries of poems by the famous and the forgotten.

These entertaining poems, parodies, songs and bawdy verse reveal a hidden Irish literary heritage often neglected. From Jonathan Swift to Shane Mc Gowan and from Percy French to Brendan Behan, this Lilliput publication (illustrated by Hector Mc Donnell) will be discussed by the book's editor John Wyse Jackson and actor and broadcaster, Sean Rocks, who will be reading their favourite gems from the anthology.