Poetry Ireland
Poetry Ireland (Irish: Éigse Éireann) is an organisation for poets and poetry, in both Irish and English, in the island of Ireland. It is a private nonprofit organisation that receives support from The Arts Council of Ireland and The Arts Council of Northern Ireland. It was founded in 1978 by John F. Deane and is based in Kildare Street, off St Stephen's Green, Dublin. Its thirtieth anniversary in 2008 was celebrated by events all over Ireland culminating in an event at the Irish College in Paris.[1][2][3]
Mission
Poetry Ireland is dedicated to developing, supporting and promoting poetry throughout Ireland by creating meaningful interaction by the public with poetry. It is committed to creating performance and publications opportunities for poets at all stages of their careers. It seeks to promote access and excellence by embracing and fostering poetry and language as tools for living.
Director
The current director is Maureen Kennelly. Before her, the director since 2001 had been Joe Woods; their predecessors have included Theo Dorgan and Rory Brennan.
Publications
Poetry Ireland publishes Poetry Ireland Review, a journal of Irish poetry, which is published quarterly and includes the work of both emerging and established Irish and international poets. In order to keep the journal fresh, vibrant and progressive, it appoints a new editor every four issues.
Poetry Ireland's bimonthly newsletter Poetry Ireland News includes information on readings, competitions, festivals, opportunities, articles and essays.
Poetry Ireland has recently launched Trumpet, a literary pamphlet intended to be more accessible than the Review to the casual reader.
Education
Poetry Ireland's Writers in Schools Scheme supports visits by writers to primary and post-primary schools throughout the Republic of Ireland.[4] The program has been running for over thirty years. It has proved to be an enriching and informative scheme for both students and writers. In addition it organises a Poetry Aloud competition for school students speaking (reciting) poetry.
Poetry Ireland has cooperated with Schools Across Borders in a creative writing project.[5]
Poetry Ireland is also involved in the Poets' Chair, a film archive of contemporary Irish poets who write in both English and Irish. The archive is a record of living Irish poets for future generations as well as an invaluable educational resource bringing poets and their work to life through film. It includes recordings of Seamus Heaney, Eavan Boland, Moya Cannon, Louis de Paor, Brendan Kennelly, John Montague, Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Ciarán Carson, Michael Longley, Sinéad Morrissey, Cathal Ó Searcaigh, Gerald Dawe, Máire Mhac an tSaoi, Paul Muldoon and Dennis O'Driscoll,
Readings
Poetry Ireland financially supports more than 120 poetry readings annually.[3]
Austin Clarke collection
Poetry Ireland has transferred a collection of books consisting of the library of Austin Clarke and books formerly owned by the poets John Jordan and Tanya Touwen to the Special Collections at the University College Dublin Library . The collection of 5,000 books were once mainly the property of Austin Clarke. Poetry Ireland also transferred a collection of its papers there.[6]
Information and resource service
Poetry Ireland provides information and resources for both new and established poets, as possible. This includes everything from assessments and writers workshops to readings, copyright and general literary advice.
It also offers advice on everything to do with poetry in Ireland, from event advice, contacting poets or suitable books to read.
Readings
Poetry Ireland provides support for readings by poets. Its website provides up-to-date details on readings and events in Ireland.
References
- ↑ "Sligo Arts» » All Ireland Poetry Day". Sligoarts.ie. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
- ↑ "Sat, Oct 11, 2008 - Poetry Ireland celebrates 30th birthday". The Irish Times. 2008-10-10. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
- 1 2 "Poetry Ireland Celebrates: an all Ireland 30th Birthday Poetry Day!". Artscouncil-ni.org. 2008-09-30. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
- ↑ http://portal.unesco.org/culture/fr/files/30048/11401030101Case_study_34_Ireland_Poetry.pdf/Case%2Bstudy%2B34_Ireland%2BPoetry.pdf
- ↑ "Events: Poetry Ireland Partnership 2008/09". Schools Across Borders. 1944-09-19. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
- ↑ Audio Visual Centre, UCD, www.ucd.ie/avc. "Austin Clarke". Ucd.ie. Retrieved 2009-11-12.