THE POETIC WORD, ACCORDING TO FR CON
PRIEST LAUNCHING ‘THE LAST IRISH ROMANTIC’ BOOK
“THE LAST Irish Romantic”, a book of poems by Boherbue native Fr. Con Buckley will be launched during Writers Week in that world famous literary hostelry John B Keane's in William Street, Listowel.
Fr. Con, who served in Knocknagree Parish for five years before taking a two year sabbatical to write in 2012, told the Corkman that while some of his work has already been featured in various publications, this is his first book of poems.
“I've been writing poetry all my life” Fr. Con said, “I have a whole stack of notebooks full of poems, some date from my youth when I started writing around the age of 16, inspiration comes from nature, and my experiences from various places, and I'm still writing poetry every day”.
Fr. Con went to Doon National School, and as a young student did a doctorate in Oxford, he worked in the Holy Land for seven years, followed by three years as associate professor of English Literature at the University of Manila in the Philippines. He was ordained in 2002 and subsequently worked in various parishes in North Kerry before serving in Rathmore and Knocknagree for five years from 2007 - 2012.
“The first person I met when I arrived at Oxford was Bernard O’Donoghue from Cullen,” Fr. Con told the Corkman, “he was don in one of the colleges there at the time and we formed a little Irish society where Séamus Heaney was also a member”.
The well of creativity is truly overflowing for Fr. Con - further volumes of poetry are imminent, as well as a collection of homilies, a book about the sermon on the mount, and a work of fiction which is currently being considered for publication by a well known Dublin firm.
Readers can delve into 63 wonderful pieces which touch the mind, heart, and soul on many facets. Copies will be on sale in Bookshops around North Cork and North Kerry, and can be obtained by writing to Fr. Con Buckley at Ardoughter, Ballyduff, Co. Kerry or by emailing him at conbuckley1946@gmail.com
The book will be launched by Kerry poet Gabriel Fitzmaurice at John B Keanes in Listowel on next Saturday at 3.30pm, there will be readings, music, and refreshments and everybody is welcome.