Ireland: A Celebration in Verse

by Roy Benjamin (editor)

Barnes & Noble 1997

Genres: Poetry, Ireland

150 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1997

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little sampler of Irish verse, most from the early 20th century or before, some written in English and some translated from Irish. The poems are arranged topically, dealing with such quintessentially Irish themes as exile, requiems, remembrance of place, displacement, curses, high times, and love, both tender and fatal. I think my favorite poem of the lot was the somewhat tongue in cheek "Curse of Doneraile" by one Patrick O'Kelly, who heaped hyperbolic curses and slurs upon the town where he lost his watch (or it was stolen) until it was replaced by Lady Doneraile, upon which the curse was released and replaced by O'Kelly's pen with "Blessings on Doneraile". Hard to get more Irish than that.

[Echo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice selection of Irish poetry on different topics.

[Emily Boivin]

good book if you enjoy irish verse