Patrick Kavanagh and Advent

As we approach the season of Advent of and the approach of Christmas, the mind turns to Patrick Kavanagh and his poem ‘Advent’. In this the county Monaghan poet lamented how life had changed in the modern world and that:

O after Christmas we'll have no need to go searching
For the difference that sets an old phrase burning….

Kavanagh of course was one of Ireland’s great poets and his ability to write about the local and natural world won him praise and admiration. His death in 1967 was widely lamented. So much so that four years later, according to the Northern Standard newspaper, a gathering was held in Monaghan to preserve his memory, something which remains strong to this day:

Patrick Kavanagh Commemoration at Inniskeen

Members of the Patrick Kavanagh Society, which was formed several years ago in Castleblayney to honour the Inniskeen-born poet and writer, Patrick Kavanagh, who died four years ago, gathered at the poet's graveside in the little cemetery of St. Mary's_, in Inniskeen village, on Sunday last to pay tribute to one of Ireland's greatest poets.

Hundreds of people from all over Monaghan, as well as from Dublin and other parts of Ireland, attended the ceremonies, which included the laying of a wreath on the poet's grave by his niece, Miss Breda McLoughlin, Carricknamanna, Lifford, Co. Donegal.

After the wreath laying ceremonies, readings from the poet's works were given in the local Parochial Hall by the Clones playwright, Mr. Eugene McCabe, and by the twin brothers, Messrs. John and Tommy McArdle, Castleblayney.

The hall was filled to capacity for the occasion and Mr. James Deery, M.C.C., Inniskeen, one of South Monaghan's best known public figures, who is also a prominent member of the Kavanagh Society, presided and introduced one of the poet's sisters, Sister Cecilia, Presentation Convent, Isle of Wight, to those present.

Other sisters of the poet who were in attendance included Misses Mary and Ann Kavanagh, Mucker; Mrs. Josie Markey, Rosdreenagh and Mrs. Lucy Quinn, Longford. Also present were the poet's nephew, Fr. John Quinn, C.C., Lanesboro', and, of course, his niece, Miss McLoughlin.

The general attendance included many literary personalities from Dublin, including the noted Irish writer, Mr. Benedict Kiely, as well as Mr. Ronnie Walsh, R.T.E.

For more information on Kavanagh and his times search the pages of the Irish Newspaper Archives (www.irishnewsarchives.com )