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March 2004
*Soiscéal Pháraic, TG4
Special programme on Patrick Kavanagh broadcast on 16th
March 2004 featuring newly-appointed Curator of Centenary
Programme, Emily Cullen.
17 March 2004
Annual Patrick Kavanagh Commemoration
At the Patrick Kavanagh Seat by the Grand Canal. Organised
by Macdara Woods and Eilean Ni Chuilleanain.
Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th April 2004
Poetry Weekend: Revise Your Poem
Directed by Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin
May 2004
Launch of the Annual Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Competition
Friday, 14th - Saturday, 15th May 2004
Tarry Flynn performed by The Castleblayney Players
Patrick Kavanagh Centre, Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan.
Historic Performance of Tarry Flynn for Kavanagh Centenary
On Friday 14th and Saturday 15th May, the Castleblayney
Players gave two special performances of Patrick Kavanagh's
Tarry Flynn at 8pm in the Patrick Kavanagh Centre, Inniskeen,
Co. Monaghan, (formerly St. Mary's Church).
Based on P.J. O'Connor's adaptation, these performances
formed part of the centenary calendar of events commemorating
the 100th anniversary of Kavanagh's birth, providing a unique
opportunity to enjoy what Kavanagh himself described as
'not only the best but the only authentic account of life'
as it was lived in the Ireland of the first half of the
20th century within the centre devoted to Kavanagh in his
native Inniskeen. The Castleblayney Players have been in
existence since 1991 and are well respected drama festival
campaigners. Francis Gerard Duffy directed this performance,
with Michael Carroll in the lead role of Tarry and Ticky
McQuillan as his mother, Mrs. Flynn.
24th May 2004
Patrick Kavanagh Literary Trail
18 plaques featuring lines from Kavanagh's writings launched
by Miss World, Rosana Davison, at the Market Square, Carrickmacross,
Co. Monaghan. Afterwards Rosana visited Inniskeen where
she is pictured.
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22nd July 2004.
Peter Kavanagh Celebrations for his brother
Pubic interview with John Waters at Trinity College, Dublin
(Sponsored by Michael O'Reilly)
18th July 2004
O Commemorate Me Where There is Water
New annual 'Kavanagh Day' of readings of Kavanagh's writings
by waterways in every county in Ireland on the second Sunday
in July, was successfully inaugurated on Sunday, 18 July
2004.
Patrick Kavanagh enthusiasts gathered by a variety of waterway
locations around the country to celebrate his poetry and
prose. Writers groups, Active Retirement Groups, reading
groups and families assembled in counties such as Sligo,
Galway, Clare, Monaghan, Louth, Tipperary, Westmeath and
Armagh to mark the first national day in honour of Patrick
Kavanagh. In Dublin up to two hundred people gathered by
the Grand Canal. Among those who read their favourite Kavanagh
poems were poets Eilean Ni Chuileanain, Michael O'Loughlin
and Greg Delanty; Kavanagh's biographer, Dr. Antoinette
Quinn; authors, Tom Stack and Una Agnew and literary agent,
Jonathan Williams. Jim Kelly, brother of the late Luke Kelly,
gave a masterful rendition of 'Raglan Road' which Pat Good
sang, 'If Ever You Go To Dublin Town'. In the poet's scenic
village of Inniskeen, a large gathering from far and wide
celebrated Monaghan's most famous son by the river Fane.
Inspired by his poem, 'Lines Written on a Seat at the Grand
Canal, Dublin,' Emily Cullen, poet and director of the Kavanagh
centenary celebrations, devised this new annual day which
will take place, henceforth, on the second Sunday of July.
Opening with the line: 'O commemorate me where there is
water', Kavanagh's poem mentions 'mid-July', in a specific
reference to the Summer of 1955 when he recuperated from
lung cancer by the banks of the Grand canal. He described
this period of rebirth as follows: "I would say that
as a poet, I was born in and around 1955, the place of my
birth being the banks of the Grand Canal." - Self Portrait,
1962.
A big thank you to everyone who made the inaugural Kavanagh
Day the huge success that it was. Next years 'Kavanagh Day'
will take place on Sunday, 14th July 2005. All Kavanagh
enthusiasts are once again invited to get involved.. Please
contact your local Authority Arts Officer if you would like
to participate in a reading in your area for the national
Kavanagh Day. Times and waterside locations are flexible.
Inaugural Kavanagh Day, 18th July, Grand Canal Dublin 2004,
3pm
1. Introduction by Emily Cullen - Canal Bank Walk
2. Eilean Ni Chuileanain - The Hospital
3. Michael O'Loughlin - Who Killed James Joyce and Cronin's
poem about Kavanagh
4. Antoinette Quinn - Lines Written on a Seat
5. Jonathan Williams - Kerr's Ass
6. Pat Good - sang 'If Ever You Go To Dublin Town' - music
and song with Jimmy Kelly on guitar
7. Fr. Tom Stack - Advent
8. Fr. Benedict Cullen, OFM Cap. - Peace
9. Sr. Una Agnew - Shancoduff
10. Aine Miller - In Memory of My Mother
11. Tony Sheils - Ploughman
12. Mary Enright - In Memory of My Mother
13. Greg Delanty -
14. Hugh McFadden - Travelling with PK (own poem)
15. Jimmy Kelly - sang 'Raglan Road'
16. Finale
Saturday, 24th July 2004 at 1.00pm
Unveiling of plaque to Patrick Kavanagh
Monaghan Association - Dublin. Organised by Peter McDonnell
Unveiling of plaque to Patrick Kavanagh (1904 - 2004)
Parson's Bookshop, Baggot Street Bridge, Dublin
14th June
Official launch of Raglan Road Festival
Pictured are Leo Moran of the Saw Doctors (centre) with
the McArdle Brothers John and Tommy at the official launch
of the Raglan Road Festival. Official launch, by Adge King,
Director of Community & Enterprise, Monaghan County
Council, of the inaugural Raglan Road Festival (30th July
- 1st August 2004). Speeches by Paul McCloon, Chief Executive
of North West Tourism, Emily Cullen, Festival Director and
Leo Moran of the Saw Doctors.
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 Friday
30th July - Sunday 1st August, Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan
Raglan Road Music Festival (to include the annual Writers
Weekend)
Dr. John Hume officially opened the first Raglan Road festival
at 1pm in Inniskeen on Friday, 30th July 2004. This new
festival of music and literature aims to bring Kavanagh
back to his native Inniskeen. A three-day, weekend festival,
highlights included performances by Brian Kennedy, George
Murphy, and The Saw Doctors; the launch of John Montague's
new poetry collection, Out of That Childhood Country by
the McArdle Brothers and the Writers Weekend masterclasses
which were directed by Christine Dwyer Hickey.
'Raglan Road Festival' a Huge Success
The inaugural Raglan Road Festival of music, poetry, theatre
and song was an outstanding success in Patrick Kavanagh's
native Inniskeen over the August Bank Holiday weekend. Kavanagh
enthusiasts flocked to the picturesque Co. Monaghan village
for three days of sunshine, culture and craic. One of the
big initiatives of the local Inniskeen Enterprise Development
group and the Director of the centenary events, Emily Cullen,
this highlight of the Kavanagh centenary fused some of the
magic of the poet's Dublin with that of his native parish.
Visitors for the festival were treated to a broad thematic
range of activities focusing on Kavanagh, the rural, the
folk, the ballad and bardic traditions. The opening on Friday
afternoon saw John Hume officially start the celebrations.
His full-hearted rendition of Raglan Road struck a powerful
chord with the crowd who willingly joined in. The Kavanagh
Centre provided the perfect location for the launch, by
Noel Monaghan, of John Montague's new poetry collection,
Drunken Sailor, which also formally launched the annual
Writers' Weekend. The latter ran in conjunction with the
festival and was highly successful under the direction of
acclaimed author, Christine Dwyer- Hickey. Following his
book launch John Montague spoke to a packed audience entertaining
all present with his own memories of Kavanagh.
On Friday and Saturday night Tom & John McArdle lifted
the roof with their two sell-out performances of Out of
that Childhood Country. As they say themselves, they are
'the only two men in Ireland who could put a one-man show!'
The young and gifted singer, George Murphy provided Friday
nights musical entertainment with backing from the accomplished
Terry Woods Band.
A lunchtime concert on the Saturday provided a rare opportunity
to experience sounds from Hungary, Poland, Estonia, Latvia
and the Czech Republic. The virtuosity of the musicians
was commented on by all while their knowledge of the European
gypsy music tradition and its origins ensured a very unique
recital. On Saturday evening Tom MacIntyre enthralled his
audience with a riveting discussion of how he adapted Kavanagh's
epic poem, 'The Great Hunger' for the Abbey stage. Brian
Kennedy's sublime voice echoed memorably through Kavanagh's
old St. Mary's church, now the Kavanagh Centre, on Saturday
night.
The sun shone down while host of open-air entertainment
allowed people to stroll around the village taking in the
unique ambiance and the high nellie bicycles and vintage
cars on display. On Sunday afternoon Rock 'n' Roll bard,
Patrick Carton, brought a unique and refreshing mix of the
oral tradition and contemporary pop culture to an enthusiastic
audience in the Kavanagh Centre. The literary events concluded
with a special storytelling session by local men, Gene Carroll,
Peter Murphy and Barney Cunningham. This packed event recalled
local lore and stories of Kavanagh which revealed the poet's
genorosity to children, among other things. The perfect
finale to such a successful festival was provided by Tuam's
legendary, Saw Doctors whose rousing performance, to a packed
community centre, pushed the feel-good factor off the scale!
"All the feedback has been highly positive," says
festival director, Emily Cullen. "There is unanimous
agreement that the Raglan Road Festival should happen again
next year because the demand for such an event is so substantial
and because Kavanagh lovers from all over welcome an opportunity
to visit the beloved parish he made so famous."
Tuesday, 14th September 2004
Remembering Patrick Kavanagh
Venue: Buswells Hotel, Dublin
Monaghan Association - Dublin - Celebrating Patrick Kavanagh
1904 - 2004
Speakers
Eddie Holt - Dublin City University and Irish Times
Derek Hand - St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra
Peter McDonnell - Monaghan Association Dublin
* Lecture on 'Patrick Kavanagh's Collected Poems'
Lecture on the centenary edition of Patrick Kavanagh's Collected
Poems (Allen Lane/Penguin) by Antoinette Quinn in the National
Library at 7.00pm.
October 2004 2-month Centenary Festivities
begin
5th October 2004
Annual Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Competition
Annual Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Competition 2004 winner
announced and
launch, by Paul Durcan, of the new anthology, Dancing With
Kitty Stobling
featuring work by all 32 previous winners of the Patrick
Kavanagh Award.
Venue: Royal College of Surgeons, St. Stephen's Green, Dublin
2.
Monday, 11th and Tuesday 12th October 2004
Theatre Production: Patrick Kavanagh's The Green Fool
by Upstate Theatre Project
Stage adaptation of The Green Fool to be performed by
Upstate Theatre Project Drogheda, to be performed in the
Patrick Kavanagh Centre, Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan, and subsequently
in Drogheda and on national tour.
Date: Monday, 11th and Tuesday 12th October 2004
Venue: Patrick Kavanagh Centre, Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan
13th October 2004
Book Launch: Patrick Kavanagh's Collected Poems (Allen
Lane/Penguin)
Launch,
by John McGahern, of the centenary edition of Patrick Kavanagh's
Collected Poems
(Allen Lane/Penguin) Pictured are Dr. Rory O'Hanlon, Antoinette
Quinn, biographer of Kavanagh
and TP McKenna, actor friend of Kavanagh.
Venue: Hop Store, St James's Gate, Dublin
Hosted by Diageo Ireland.
17th October 2004
Writers of Ireland Reading
Kavanagh Evening at the Gate Theatre, Dublin, - organised
by the Trustees of Katherine Kavanagh Estate.
Readings by renowned poets and writers including a reading
of the Great Hunger
Venue: The Gate Theatre, Dublin
21st October 2004
Official Centenary Commemoration
Official Centenary Commemoration of Patrick Kavanagh's
Birth
City Hall, Dublin, 13:00 - 14:30 on Thursday, 21st October.
Featuring well-known actors and musicians celebrating Kavanagh.
Venue: The City Hall, Dublin
21st October
Kavanagh's Official Birthday Celebration
The Patrick Kavanagh Centenary Committee marked the poet's
birthday on October 21st with an appropriately lively lunchtime
celebration in Dublin's City Hall. Taking as their themes
Kavanagh's own lines: 'Any touch of boringness and you're
in the wrong shop' and 'Lovers alone lovers protect', the
organisers assembled an impressive group of people who have
been influenced by Kavanagh in a diversity of ways and who
came to pay their birthday respects to him. Guests were
greeted on arrival with a choice of Kavanagh's work as the
City Hall was turned into something of a fair by simultaneous
events taking place on different parts of the floor: John
and Tommy McArdle were offering a list of 50 poems from
which guests may request one or more to have recited for
them; extracts from Tarry Flynn wereperformed by Castleblayney
Players, Upstate Theatre's new stage adaptation of 'The
Green Fool' was given a sneak preview, and Gene Carroll
told stories from Inniskeen about Kavanagh and other famous
personages in the area, and he might throw in a poem or
two. At 1.45pm, the event will centre on the podium. Four
well-known people who have a particular or peculiar relationship
with Kavanagh and his work read their favourite Kavanagh
poem and said a few words about their reasons for choosing
it. This was followed by the main address of the occasion,
given by Paul Durcan. And all this was surrounded by the
harp music of the Cullen Harpers of Farney Castle, who played
and sang their new setting of 'Raglan Road' as well as Shay
Healy's 'Tarry Flynn'.
21st October 2004
Commemorative Evening
Special Kavanagh Commemorative Evening
National Concert Hall, - organised by Noel O'Grady.
Featuring Brendan Kennelly and friends. MC is Seamus Hosey.
Venue: The National Concert Hall
21st October 2004
Commemorative Stamp Issued
Kavanagh Centenary commemorative stamp was issued by
An Post
On the 21st October 2004
Centenary Patrick Kavanagh Exhibition
At the National Library of Ireland from September 20th
23rd October 2004
Unveiling of Inniskeen road Commemorative Plaque
Celebrating Kavanagh's Birth 100 Years Ago
- To mark the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of
Patrick Kavanagh in Inniskeen, Co. Monaghan a special commemrotative
plaque was unveiled by Keelin Kavanagh, daughter of Peter
Kavanagh (the poet's brother) on Inniskeen road in the townland
of Mucker. Pictured are Peter Murphy, IEDG and Keelin Kavanagh.
Friday 29th and Saturday 30th October
Patrick Kavanagh Conference
International Conference on Patrick Kavanagh at Boston
College, Massachussetts, USA, Friday 29th and Saturday 30th
October,
Speakers included:
- Nobel laureate, Dr. Seamus Heaney
- Dr. Antoinette Quinn
- Fr. Tom Stack
- Peggy O'Brien
- Tony Quinn
- Eamon Grennan
Hosted by the Centre for Irish Studies at Boston College,
Mass. U.S.A.
Venue: Boston College, USA
Poets' Corner on the Dart
Poets' Corner on the Dart in Dublin carried 6 of Kavanagh's
poems throughout the month of October.
 20th
November 2004
Patrick Kavanagh's Holy Door
Una Agnew, author of "The Mystical Imagination of Patrick
Kavanagh" delivered a day entitled "Patrick Kavanagh's
Holy Door" on Saturday, November 20th, 2004. Una explored
Kavanagh's sense of place, his sense of God and his pilgrim
soul. The God of Patrick Kavanagh : Una Agnew
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Emily Cullen,
26th
- 28th November 2004
Keynote
address :
Remembering
Patrick Kavanagh :
