Image source Éigse Michael Hartnett
Once again I’ve missed Éigse Michael Hartnett , held in his hometown of Newcastle West in Co Limerick from September 15-18th. I particularly wanted to go this year as both Michael’s daughter and son, Lara (with her family) and Niall were home from their foreign homes for the occasion.
Unfortunately I have not developed the knack of bi-location, despite a youthful interest in Blessed (now St) Martin de Porres, who had it off pat. Another dear friend was visiting me.
Niall however emailed me to say he would be on Ratttlebag (RTÉ Radio), but this has probably been the busiest summer of my life, so I missed that too.
Now today, in Temple Bar Food Market, Pat, who provides me with muesli and several other foods I did not grow up with (and some that I did), informed me that his wife heard my name mentioned by Niall Hartnett on Rattlebag.
This evening, I get an email from Niall asking me if I’d heard it and reminding me that it’s on the web. So, after all, I got to hear it, and a very fine and moving interview it is, too. Part of the intereview dealt with the book of tributes and photos Niall is compiling and making as a tribute to his father, and I’m very happy to feature in it.
Incidentally, The Sky Didn’t Fall by Kerry Hardie and The State of the Prisons by Sinead Morrissey have been selected as the joint winning volumes of poetry in English for the
Michael Hartnett Poetry Award 2005 by the judging panel of Medbh McGuckian,
Niall Mac Monagle and Eugene O’Brien. The award of €6,350, co-funded by Limerick County Council and the Arts Council, is to support and encourage poets in the furtherance of their career.
Photos from Niall Hartnett’s book on his website
Interview with Niall Hartnett on Rattlebag (requires Real Audio)
MsRiposte — September 04, 2009 — Michael Hartnett recites poems in Irish and English at the Patriot Inn, Kilmainham 1992
