This year's Kilbixy Poetry Evening will be tinged with sadness

Kilbixy Poetry Evening, now a firm favourite on the cultural calendar of Westmeath, will is taking place today Friday August 26 at 7pm. This year’s event will be tinged with sadness as it will be the first year the event will go ahead without its founder, Watson Mills, who passed away last December.

A poetry lover himself, it was Watson who came up with the original idea of holding a poetry evening at his beloved Kilbixy Hall and, over the years, he remained an inspirational motivator behind the event. Watson also participated each year, reciting works by his favourite poet, John Betjeman, with fervour and an uncanny recall.

Being of an instinctual inclination to support good causes, combining a night of good poetry with supporting the North Westmeath Hospice, was of great importance to Watson.

His two trusty sidekicks, Eleanor Murtagh and Betty Murtagh, are determined to carry on Watson’s legacy, although they are saddened to be doing so without their “friend and motivator”.

They will be hosting this year’s evening in Kilbixy Hall, the community space attached to St Bigseach’s Church, on Friday August 26.

The evening is run jointly by the Westmeath Rural Arts and North Westmeath Hospice. There is no admission fee and donations go to the hospice service.

Poets, amateur and experienced, and poetry lovers are invited to recite a poem, either one of their own or one from a favourite poet. This popular event always attracts a lot of participants and a large audience. So, come along for a unique evening of culture and conviviality.