About the Poem

'On Raglan Road' was written by a 40 year old Patrick Kavanagh for a young 22 year old medical student, Hilda Moriarty. It was first published in the Irish Press newspaper in 1946 under the title ‘Dark Haired Miriam Ran Away’.    

The song we all know as Raglan Road combines the lyrics of Kavanagh poem to the air of the song ‘The Dawning of the Day’.

Kavanagh approached , Luke Kelly, from the Dubliners,  in the Baily Bar in Dublin in 1966 and asked him would he sing something he had written back in the 1940’s 

The rest, as they say , is history

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About the Poet

Patrick Kavanagh was born in Inniskeen, County Monaghan, in 1904 and is generally regarded as one of Ireland most eminent and favorite poets.
 
His first collection of poems was published while he was still working on the farm, and first appeared in 1928 in the Dundalk Democrat and Irish Independent.
 
He died , aged only 63, on 30 November 1967 and is buried in his birthplace  - Inniskeen, in Monaghan

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How to Listen and follow

You can listen to the podcast , My Poetry Readings, on iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts by clicking on any of the links above or on the podcast website

You can also subscribe and follow the podcast on social media by clicking on the links either on the top banner or the links below:-

Facebook -   @mypoetryreadings
Instagram -  @mypoetryreadings
Twitter:-       @mypoetryreadin1
Youtube:-      My Poetry Readings with Declan Walsh
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Now for the promotion bit!

I hope you enjoy and looking forward to hearing any comments or suggestions that you may have .If you have enjoyed , please spread the word , like , share  (etc!)  -by  clicking the 'Share  Episode' link above.   

If you can, please leave a review and star rating on Apple Podcasts. This will help others to also enjoy the podcast.

Thanks for listening  - Till next time..

Slán go fóill

Declan
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Other links

On Raglan Road - Luke Kelly (Song and meeting Kavanagh)
On Raglan Road - Tommy Macken (Poem)

On Raglan Road - Dermot Kennedy
On Raglan Road - Glen Hansard Declan O'Rourke
On Raglan Road - Mark Knopfler
On Raglan Road - Van Morrison & The Chieftains


The Patrick Kavanagh Centre

Patrick Kavanagh - The Pincer Jaws of Heaven (Short Film)

About the Poem

'The Song of the Wandering Aengus' is told from the point of view of an old man who, at some point in his past, had a fantastical experience in which a silver trout fish he had caught and laid on the floor turned into a "glimmering girl" who called him by his name, then vanished; he became infatuated with her, and remains devoted to finding her again. 

 It has been claimed that the poem's story is based on the Irish god Aengus, and specifically the story of the "Dream of Aengus", which had first appeared in the 8th century, in which Aengus falls in love with a woman whom he sees only in his dreams. 

It’s more likely that Yeats got a basic idea from the story of how Aengus fell in love with a girl he saw in a dream and then spent years searching for her – a theme Yeats knew only too well, having loved and unsuccessfully pursued the beautiful Maud Gonne for most of his life.

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About the Poet

William Butler Yeats, more commonly known as, W.B. Yeats, was born in Dublin, in 1865 and is wildly regarded as one of the influential poets on both the national and international stage.   
A pillar of the Irish literary establishment, he was one of co-founders of the Abbey Theatre and  became a Senator in the Irish Free State in 1922 .

He died, aged 73, on January 28 1939 in France and was later buried in Drumcliffe Churchyard, Co Sligo

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How to Listen and follow

You can listen to the podcast , My Poetry Readings, on iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts by clicking on any of the links above or on the podcast website

You can also subscribe and follow the podcast on social media by clicking on the links either on the top banner or the links below:-

Facebook -   @mypoetryreadings
Instagram -  @mypoetryreadings
Twitter:-       @mypoetryreadin1
Youtube:-      My Poetry Readings with Declan Walsh
___________________________________

Now for the promotion bit!

I hope you enjoy and looking forward to hearing any comments or suggestions that you may have .If you have enjoyed , please spread the word , like , share  (etc!)  -by  clicking the 'Share  Episode' link above.   

If you can, please leave a review and star rating on Apple Podcasts. This will help others to also enjoy the podcast.

Thanks for listening  - Till next time..

Slán go fóill

Declan
______________________________________________

Other links

Reading - Michael Gambon
Reading - Sam Neill

Song - Christy Moore
Song - The Waterboys
Song - Donovan
Song - Judy Collins
Song - 10,000 Manics

About the Poem

You Don't Get To Be Racist And Irish" documents Irish people's history of immigration and emigration and May says that it is now time for Irish people to return the favor.

The poem also touches on Ireland's history and heritage, pointing out the hypocrisy of singing songs glorifying Irish freedom, the Famine, and martyrs in the struggle for Irish independence while simultaneously ignoring or looking down on people who are now suffering. 

The poem took centre stage on 200 billboards across the country in 2020 and coincided with the launch of Rethink Ireland, a new Government backed  equality fund set up to help those most affected by inequality.
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About the Poet

Imelda Mary Clabby, professionally known as Imelda May, is an Irish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. 

 Described as "a unique vocal talent," May is known for her musical style of rockabilly revival and has also been compared to female jazz musicians such as Billie Holiday. 

Born and raised in The Liberties area of Dublin in  1974, May began her career in music at 16 by performing with a number of local bands and musicians. She formed her own band in 2002, and released her debut studio album, in 2003 and has released a further 4 albums since then, Her next album, 11past the House is due for release in April 2021

 Although known primarily as a singer, she also plays the bodhrán, guitar, bass guitar and tambourine.

 And Most recently, she has been sharing some of her poems, Her debut spoken word EP of 9 poems set to music  - "Slip of the Tongue" was released in 2020.

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How to Listen and follow

You can listen to the podcast , My Poetry Readings, on iTunes, Spotify and Google Podcasts by clicking on any of the links above or on the podcast website

You can also subscribe and follow the podcast on social media by clicking on the links either on the top banner or the links below:-

Facebook -   @mypoetryreadings
Instagram -  @mypoetryreadings
Twitter:-       @mypoetryreadin1
Youtube:-      My Poetry Readings with Declan Walsh
___________________________________

Now for the promotion bit!

I hope you enjoy and looking forward to hearing any comments or suggestions that you may have .If you have enjoyed , please spread the word , like , share  (etc!)  -by  clicking the 'Share  Episode' link above.   

If you can, please leave a review and star rating on Apple Podcasts. This will help others to also enjoy the podcast.

Thanks for listening  - Till next time..

Slán go fóill

Declan
______________________________________________


Other links

Reading by Imelda May - RTE for Culture June 2020