Stars come out to help Philip launch new poetry book

THE esteem in which Liscarroll poet, publican and farmer Philip Egan and his family are held within the local and wider community was reflected in the capacity gathering at the Charleville Park Hotel on Monday night for the launch of his fourth collection of poetry, entitled A Verseman’s Harvest.

Among the sporting luminaries present at the event was Olympian Sonia O’Sullivan, the manager of the All-Ireland winning Limerick hurling team and Philip’s long-time friend, John Kiely, and former GAA commentator Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh, and his family relative, Michael Moynihan T.D., who was also the MC for the evening, and officially launched the new poetry collection.

The evening started off with Philip’s daughter, Helena providing an insight into how her father had compiled his latest collection of poetry, and how the poems inspired the young charges in her first school as a newly qualified teacher in Co. Kildare. Ms Egan recited ‘A Teacher’s Farewell’ from the collection, which was written to commemorate her mother Kathleen’s retirement from teaching at C.B.S. Primary Charleville after thirty-six years.

John Kiely recalled his first meeting with Philip when the latter went to Galbally in Co. Limerick to coach the local football team there, and the qualities and the spiritual element he imparted to the squad during his time with them in 2003. He recited ‘A Barman’s Tribulations.’

Olympian Sonia O’Sullivan told how Philip’s poetry related to her, especially those with a sporting theme, and one of the poems she recited was ‘ The Autograph,’ which had particular resonance for her .

Launching the collection, Michael Moynihan TD also referred to the poetry collection and said he had known Philip Egan since his time as chairman of the board of management of the Liscarroll national school, and he had worked with him on many projects. “I attended his wedding to my cousin, uninvited, and in later years Philip and Kathleen repaid the compliment and attended my own wedding, also uninvited,” he said.

It was a fantastic night of reminiscing and a bringing together of communities and sporting figures, who paid fitting tributes to one of the most prominent poets in North Cork, who is keeping up the literary tradition of the parish, as it was in nearby Churchtown that another prominent Jacobite poet, Sean Clarach Mac Domhnaill was born all those centuries ago, and whose memory endures to this day.

Along with Philip’s wife Kathleen, also present at the launch were his sons Sean, Padraic and Philip junior and his daughter Helena, and a host of friends, neighbours and supporters from all over the Liscarroll, Churchtown, Milford and Charleville areas.

Group pictured at the launch of Philip Egan’s new poetry collection. Included at back: The Egans, Sean, Padraic and Philip junior with Helena and in front; Kathleen Egan, Sonia O’Sullivan, Philip Egan, Miceál Ó Muircheartaigh and John Kiely.

Brian and Margaret Henderson and Anne Brazill of Liscarroll were at the launch.

Kathleen and Helena Egan pictured at the launch.

Philip Egan and his wife Kathleen with special guests Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh and John Kiely at the launch of his new collection of poetry, A Verseman’s Harvest.

John Kiely with Norma Healy and Padraic Egan at Philip Egan’s new poetry collection launch.

Gerry Murphy, Michael Moynihan, T.D. who launched the poetry collection with Noreen O’Connor.

Heather Sillett and Trevor Murphy of Ballymore Athletic Club Cobh were at the launch.