HonouringFrancis

THE FRANCIS Ledwidge museum and the village of Slane will come centre stage as it recalls their fallen hero, warrior poet Francis Ledwidge in June and July.

A series of events have been organised which will include an art exhibition; tours, talks, and lectures; a poetry dinner on 23 June; children’s’ events and prize giving for best oration of a Ledwidge poem on 25 June; a poetry book launch; Slane Tidy Towns Commemorative Planting in the Village Garden on 30 June; a gala concert at Church of Ireland Slane on 1 July.

The Museum Committee and Friends will visit the poet’s grave at Artillery Wood Cemetery Belgium at the end of July.

On 27 July An Post will issue a Francis Ledwidge commemorative stamp to mark the centenary.

Meath County Council’s library service, is also working with Poetry Ireland, to produce a special commemorative publication dedicated to Francis Ledwidge. This will be published 31 July, the anniversary of Ledwidge’s death. It is edited by Meath poet Tom French and will feature works by leading Irish writers.

Other events include readings from the poet’s work by major Irish writers; National Print Museum workshops and a series of outdoor installations at Kells Type Trail Festival, by national and international artists and students from Dundalk and Athlone institutes of technology 23 June to 31 July; an exhibition by contemporary visual artists at the Solstice Arts Centre Navan entitled, A Name Unmade: Francis Ledwidge, which will run until 16 June.