Dub-Lines – BOOKED OUT An afternoon of conversation, readings and music celebrating Brendan Kennelly and his Dublin life

In Partnership with Poetry Ireland

Presented by Poetry Ireland and UNESCO Dublin City Of Literature

Join us for a very special celebration of the late and much-loved poet Brendan Kennelly. Born and reared in Kerry,  he spent most of his writing life in Dublin and enjoyed the weft and weave of the city he called home.  As a Professor of Modern Literature (1973-2005) he won the affection of students for his wide-ranging and uninhibited approach, humour and compassion. This afternoon we meet past students of Brendan Kennelly including poets Paula Meehan, Rachael Hegarty, writer and filmmaker Alan Gilsenan,  TCD colleague and poet, Gerald Dawe, poet Katie Donovan, poet Gerard Smyth and friend Des Geraghty as they read his poems and explore his legacy. Also joining us will be musicians Lisa Lambe and Steve Cooney. Mary Shine Thompson will chair the event.

Mary Shine Thompson works to promotes Irish cultural engagement, especially poetry. She serves on the boards of directors of Fire Station Arts Studios and of Restorative Justice Services, and is a member of DCU Visual Arts Committee and of its Women’s Impact Network. Formerly she lectured at St Patrick’s College, DCU, and was called to the bar in 2016. She has chaired the boards of Poetry Ireland, Imram, and Encountering the Arts Ireland. Recent publications include: Poems for When You Can’t Find the Words (in assoc. with Poetry Ireland & Irish Hospice Foundation) (Dublin, Gill, 2022); ‘William Macquorn Rankine’s “gorgeous city of Mullingar”’, Iarmhí: Journal of the Westmeath Archaeological & Historical Society 2022-2023 (2022), 79-90; Pathway to Participation (National Museum of Ireland, 2022) (co-ed. L. Comer); ‘Westmeath: Literary “Stories so Far”’, Westmeath History & Society, eds W. Nolan, S. O’Brien (Geography Publications, 2022); Ciarán Benson et al., Time, Vocabulary, & Art’s Thoughtful Uses of Feeling? (Arts Council, 2021) (ed.); Michael Kirby, Skelligs Haul (Lilliput, 2019) (ed.).