Pupils show poetic promise in Dan Keane competition
KERRYMAN-SPONSORED COMPETITION SPARKS SLEW OF GREAT VERSE
THE Kerryman- sponsored ‘Dan Keane Poetry Competition’ at Listowel Writers’ Week lived up to its reputation as an academy for the poets of tomorrow as schoolchildren from all over Kerry and further afield recited their verse in English and Irish. For the moms, dads, families, teachers and friends who attended Listowel Community Centre on Thursday evening it was a proud and memorable event.
The Overall Winning Poem was a ‘Poem for Alice’ by Freya Sirr from Dublin who, unbeknownst to Freya, had her poem submitted by her mom to the competition. The Overall Winning School Award went to Ardfert National School and Principal Betty Stack proudly accepted the award.
This competition was started many moons ago by a Moyvane poet, the late Dan Keane, and it continues to flourish in honour of Dan, for he was a man who appreciated the depth of talent in young children and he encouraged it to grow through music, literature and poetry.
Fellow Moyvane poet, Gabriel Fitzmaurice, is the current adjudicator of the competition and he praised the high standard of entries received again this year. This is Gabriel’s last year officiating the competition and the standard of poetry certainly served as a fitting farewell to his term.
“It’s like Kerry footballers, you must have an academy and this is an academy here tonight. We’re in partnership with the schools and that is where they are encouraged to write. This is very important,” Gabriel said.
Gabriel listed Listowel and north Kerry’s centuries’ old tradition from Ballylongford and Ballybunion to Knockanure and Ballydonoghue. It’s a region that has always encouraged children to hone their talents when it comes to the written word.
“The Irish and English language in North Kerry has long produced writers, and these children are the next generation coming up. They’re also very much connected with this tradition. I’ve been privileged to travel all over the country working with young writers, and I just find something special about young writers in Kerry. There’s an environment, a buzz and an appreciation here which I find very electrifying when I visit the classrooms.”
Gabriel added: “We’re delighted The Kerryman has been on board with this event because it’s a major competition and The Kerryman are a major sponsor. Everybody, nationally, knows The Kerryman. So we’re very grateful they are on board with us.”