Growing up in Mucker
Patrick followed his Dad into the shoemaking trade when he left school after 6th class. However, his education continued at his father's side as he carried out the routine chores on the little farm.
Patrick Kavanagh Centre, Inniskeen
The Centre houses exhibitions on local history and on Kavanagh, a sixty-seat Audio- Visual Theatre, and a Research Library. Also on view are twelve specially commissioned paintings illustrating Kavanagh's epic poem "The Great Hunger", a miniature model depicting Kavanagh's classic, "A Christmas Childhood", Kavanagh's Death Mask and other memorabilia associated with the poet. There is also a performance tour of Kavanagh Country, which takes in many local sites immortalised by Inniskeen's most famous son, with anecdotes, historical facts, wild rumours and the odd poem along the way.
www.monaghantourism.comPatrick Kavanagh Centre, Inniskeen
www.monaghantourism.com
www.monaghantourism.com
Patrick Kavanagh Centre, Inniskeen
The Centre houses exhibitions on local history and on Kavanagh, a sixty-seat Audio- Visual Theatre, and a Research Library. Also on view are twelve specially commissioned paintings illustrating Kavanagh's epic poem "The Great Hunger", a miniature model depicting Kavanagh's classic, "A Christmas Childhood", Kavanagh's Death Mask and other memorabilia associated with the poet. There is also a performance tour of Kavanagh Country, which takes in many local sites immortalised by Inniskeen's most famous son, with anecdotes, historical facts, wild rumours and the odd poem along the way.
www.monaghantourism.comHe began to write verse in his early teens and it quickly became his life. Nevertheless, he lived like a normal lad of the time: he played in goal for the local Gaelic football team, cycled to dances and went to Sunday mass. All the time though, he continued writing.
By the time he was 32, Patrick's reputation was growing in Ireland. Soon a publisher in London came knocking and his first book "Ploughman and Other Poems" was released in 1936. However, Patrick was not satisfied and felt that he would need to leave Monaghan to develop into a great poet.
Making sense of Monaghan
A fruitless five months in London followed before Patrick decided to return to Ireland and settle in Dublin.
The Kavanagh Wedding
This lively photo was taken on Patrick's wedding day to Katherine. She sands to his right. Patrick met Katherine Moloney in London in 1957. Patrick and Katherine were married in Dublin in April 1966.
courtesy The National Library of Ireland (thanks to Katherine Kavanagh Trust)The Kavanagh Wedding
courtesy The National Library of Ireland (thanks to Katherine Kavanagh Trust)
courtesy The National Library of Ireland (thanks to Katherine Kavanagh Trust)
The Kavanagh Wedding
This lively photo was taken on Patrick's wedding day to Katherine. She sands to his right. Patrick met Katherine Moloney in London in 1957. Patrick and Katherine were married in Dublin in April 1966.
courtesy The National Library of Ireland (thanks to Katherine Kavanagh Trust)Kavanagh had mixed success in the Irish capital. He struggled from a professional point of view, earning a poor living as a journalist. However, he prospered creatively, producing his epic poem The Great Hunger and classic novelTarry Flynn.
Both books were initially banned because the authorities thought that they showed rural Ireland in a poor light. Patrick took another opinion. He said of Tarry Flynn that it was "the only true account of rural life in Ireland."
Libel, cancer and new poetic vision
In 1954 two major events changed Kavanagh's life: firstly he embarked on an unsuccesful libel action. Then shortly after this ordeal, he was diagnosed with cancer and had a lung removed.
Patrick Kavanagh statue
This photo shows a picture of the Patrick Kavanagh statue on the banks of the Grand Canal in Dublin. It was here that Kavanagh found much of the inspiration for his later poetry. The Statue was erected in response to the final two lines of Kavanagh's famous poem, 'Lines Written on a Seat on the Grand Canal, Dublin' "O commemorate me with no hero-courageous Tomb - just a canal-bank seat for the passer-by."
Wiki CommonsPatrick Kavanagh statue
Wiki Commons
Wiki Commons
Patrick Kavanagh statue
This photo shows a picture of the Patrick Kavanagh statue on the banks of the Grand Canal in Dublin. It was here that Kavanagh found much of the inspiration for his later poetry. The Statue was erected in response to the final two lines of Kavanagh's famous poem, 'Lines Written on a Seat on the Grand Canal, Dublin' "O commemorate me with no hero-courageous Tomb - just a canal-bank seat for the passer-by."
Wiki CommonsWhile recovering from this operation by relaxing on the banks of the Grand Canal in Dublin, Kavanagh rediscovered his poetic vision and a brilliant phase of poetry followed.
He became a literary celebrity and was a much sought after lecturer. In 1967, the Abbey Theatre had a major success with their stage version of Kavanagh's Tarry Flynn. While attending the opening performance, Patrick was taken ill and taken to a Dublin nursing home, where he died on 30th November 1967.
In death though, his popularity flourished further still and the mass appeal of his poetry suggests that it will survive for many generations to come.
He became a literary celebrity and was a much sought after lecturer. In 1967, the Abbey Theatre had a major success with their stage version of Kavanagh's Tarry Flynn. While attending the opening performance, Patrick was taken ill and taken to a Dublin nursing home, where he died on 30th November 1967.
In death though, his popularity flourished further still and the mass appeal of his poetry suggests that it will survive for many generations to come.