RTÉ Radio 1: Say a Song

Doireann Ní Ghlacáin approached me some time ago about the Say a Song Project which explores the rich and vibrant sean-nós tradition. I enjoy sneaking references to sean-nós songs into my poems now and then, so I was curious about her proposal. She suggested I take on Molaí Ní Mhaoileoin, a song once recorded by Sorcha Ní Ghuairim. The resulting English translation plus an interpretation of the original by the mighty Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin can be heard on the RTÉ Radio website here. Well worth listening to the entire series and keep an eye out for a further dimension to the project involving visual artists!

Specimen: The Babel Review of Translations

Wonderful to see some Italian translations of my poems in Specimen: The Babel Review of Translations, as translated by Josephine Bohr. I had only heard them read aloud at the Babel festival back in September so it’s great to finally see the texts. Thanks to all who helped make it happen!

Muldoon’s Picnic 17 May 2024

Very excited to be among the performers at Muldoon’s Picnic in The Pavillion in Dún Laoghaire on Friday 17 May, alongside Paul Muldoon, Roddy Doyle, Liz Nugent, and Hugh Buckley.

Here’s how Poetry Ireland describes the show:

Devised and developed by the acclaimed Irish poet Paul Muldoon, the show is hosted by Muldoon and house band Rogue Oliphant – a collective of musicians and composers including Chris Harford (Three Colors, Band of Changes), Cáit O’Riordan (The Pogues), David Mansfield (Bob Dylan, The Alpha Band), Ray Kubian (Electric Six, Chris Forsyth) and Warren Zanes (Del Fuegos). 

The title Muldoon’s Picnic refers to a popular 19th-century New York vaudeville act, which inspired the New York based Paul Muldoon to begin hosting these carefully blended evenings of literature and music back in 2014.  Paul Muldoon describes Muldoon’s Picnic as a direct response to that ancient impulse to perform, to share, to make one’s own amusement:

“It’s one of our most basic instincts; to listen to a song, listen to a poem. Even in this era when people have their noses stuck in their tablets, it still works.” 

Produced by Poetry Ireland and supported by an Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Arts Council of Northern Ireland Touring Grant.

Radio Series: Ómós Áite

Last year, I presented a ten-part radio series on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta called ‘Ómós Áite.’ Along with the series producer, Emma Ní Chearúil, we traveled the length and breadth of Ireland interviewing writers about their connection to place. Among the participants were Dairena Ní Chinnéide, Jackie Mac Donncha, Caitríona Ní Chléirchín, Máire Dinny Wren, Seán Ó Muireagáin, Pauline Nic Chonaonaigh, Áine Uí Fhoghlú, Eoghan Mac Giolla Bhríde, Siobhán Ní Mhuimhneacháin, agus Simon Ó Faoláin. You can listen back to all episodes at this link.