Abbey celebrates legendary poet Brendan Kennelly

THE Abbey Theatre will honour one of Kerry’s famous sons, poet, Brendan Kennelly, as part of the Ballylongford bard’s 80th birthday year. A star-studded line-up which includes academics, actors, poets and singers will converge on the Abbey on Sunday, October 23, and President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina have also been invited to attend the special event.

Brendan’s poems continue to resonate with readers as they capture his special links to rural and urban life having lived for most of his time in Dublin. Such is the ‘perpetual now’ of Brendan’s work it has recently been announced that twelve of Brendan’s poems are to feature on the Leaving Cert curriculum for 2019, which will introduce a whole new generation to his genius.

Brendan turned 80 this summer and he recently returned to Kerry again where he is convalescing in a Listowel nursing home and enjoys regular daytrips to Ballybunion and Carrigafoyle where he enjoys the soothing seascape and tranquil setting of destinations that so inspired his work. Noel O’Grady, a long-time friend of Brendan’s, is extremely excited about the upcoming event.

“It’s an opportunity for family and friends to gather and honour one of Ireland’s greatest poets,” said Noel.

“Few poets have managed to leave the sort of impression on people that Brendan has for over fifty-years. The day promises to be an exciting celebration of a remarkable man. Sean Ahearn will sing ‘By the Kerry Coast’ and it’s a song that mentions both Dublin and the Kerry coast in its lyrics, - two important parts of Brendan’s life,” added Noel.

Among the list of guests will be Abbey chairman, Bryan McMahon, Alan Gilsenan (former student of Brendan’s at Trinity), Prof Terence Brown – former colleague of Brendan’s at Trinity and publisher of an anthology of Brendan’s work, Katie Donovan, Mannix Flynn, while Mary Black has been invited to sing ‘Raglan Road’.

Tickets are expected to sell fast and anyone interested should contact the Abbey Theatre box-office on: 01 8787222.