Brendan to receive council honour

BALLYLONGFORD poetBrendan Kennelly will receive a reception in honour of his lifetime contribution to literature by Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr. Michael O’Shea, on Saturday (21st) at 2pm in the Parish Hall, Ballylongford.

Brendan is currently back living in Kerry and this reception is but one in a long list of events honouring the world-famous poet since he turned 80 last year. In August 2015 a bust of Brendan (pictured right) was unveiled in the church grounds of St Michael the Archangel in Ballylongford.

Brendan spent most of his adult life in Dublin where he lectured as professor of Modern Literature at Trinity since 1973. However, links with his native North Kerry seldom drifted from his mind, especially his study days at St Ita’s College, Tarbert, under the tutelage of secondary school teacher, Jane Agnes McKenna – a woman described by Brendan as ahead of her time in her teaching techniques.

Brendan published more than 20 poetry collections including My Dark Fathers (1964), Collection One: Getting Up Early (1966), Good Souls to Survive (1967), Dream of a Black Fox (1968), Love Cry (1972), The Voices (1973) and Poetry My Arse (1995).

The publication of ‘Cromwell’ in 1983 caused a sensation as the work gave a contemporary and chilling voice to one of Ireland’s most feared historical figures. His work, ‘ The Man Made of Rain’ also earned Brendan global recognition for its deep exploration of the subconscious mind tinkering on the edge of death, existence and memory.