Introduction

The poems that appear in this anthology reflect the broad spectrum of relationships that exist between the city and those that inhabit, however briefly, its public and private spaces. From speakers who trace their Dublin roots through generations, to those who visit the city for a short time, perhaps to visit a hospital there, these poems express the varying emotions generated by the experience. Featuring reflections on poems by Patrick Kavanagh, Brendan Kennelly and John Montague, among others, this talk considers the poetry of the Dublin streets and what it tells us about the relationship between the city and its people.

Micheal O'Siadhail

Micheal O'Siadhail is a poet. His Collected Poems, which draws on thirteen published collections, appeared from Bloodaxe Books in 2013. His work has won a number of awards, including the Irish American Cultural Institute Prize (1982) and the Toonder Prize (1998). He was short-listed for the Wingate Jewish Quarterly Prize in 2003. His poem suites, The Naked Flame, Summerfest, Earlsfort Suite, Dublin Spring and At Night a Song is with Me were commissioned and set to music for performance and broadcasting. O'Siadhail has been described by Louis Simpson as 'a delightful poet' and by Richard Wilbur as 'a rare and distinctive voice'.