'Ireland is lush with fine poets, and I will be meeting many of them on this special evening.'
Ahead for a forthcoming evening at Galway's Town Hall Theatre celebrating her life and work, poet Rita Ann Higgins muses upon one of the most un-Irish of concepts... learning to take a complement.
I'm in there with an awful lot of other people who find it difficult to accept praise. I think it is something you were brought up with, possibly linked to religion. Never ever praise yourself and die a thousand times with shame when anyone else praises you. The second part you inherit from knowing about the first part.
In my blissfully innocent and oftentimes joyous childhood, I learned at an early age to love God but I never got the memo that said liking yourself is ok too. The self was more of a notion that you picked up as a teenager, something that you had on loan like a TV for the summer. It was a part of a part of you, not inherently you. In the place of lack of self you had a cavity that you could put anything into but it always fell out. In essence you limped along with your part-time self and you could cope with that. After all, half a self is better than no self at all.
Watch: Rita Ann Higgins reads They Trespass Against Us on The Late Late Show
When Tracey Ferguson said to me quietly enough, that Fergal Mc Grath, director of the Town Hall Theatre would like to have a special night to celebrate my work. I think I was so shocked that I pretended not to hear her. Then when she said it again some time later I realised this might be happening. Ever since then I am aware that there is something happening and it might well be about me. The next part of the process, and it is all a process, is coming to terms with something truly good and positive and it includes you.
Ireland is lush with fine poets, and I will be meeting many of them on this special evening.
The celebratory event in the Town Hall makes me believe there is still great warmth and goodwill out there. To be held in such high esteem in my own town by poets and other artists whose work I have admired and respected for years is deeply humbling.
Watch: Rita Ann Higgins reads ten poems
The speed at which people replied to Tracey Ferguson's request is also very heartening.
Some of the readers on the night will include, Eva Bourke, Mary O’ Malley, Moya Cannon, Michael Gorman, Elaine Feeney, Colette Nic Aodha, Sara Clancy and Jessie Lendennie.The public interview on the evening will be facilitated, by poet dramatist and broadcaster, Vincent Woods.
My husband Christy will be there if he does not get the call for a long-awaited knee surgery. My four grandsons and my two daughters, Heather and Jennifer will be in attendance.
I have nothing to compare this event to, I am overwhelmed with love and gratitude to all concerned.
An Evening Celebrating the Work of Rita Ann Higgins takes place at Galway's Town Hall Theatre on March 20th 2024 - find out more here.
