Laments to lullabies, witty ditties to dirges in Kilbixy

There was everything from laments to lullabies, witty ditties to dirges, poignant out-pouring to pithy prose, and from the weird to the wonderful, as 26 poets and literary enthusiasts took to the podium at the ninth annual Kilbixy poetry evening on Friday last.

One of the most moving performances was given by a young mother who recited her poem about losing her hair, and how she kept from her four-year-old daughter the reality that she was wearing a wig. The poem was evocative, yet humorous.

Equally moving was a poem by one of the younger contributors about giving up on love, and another young man gave a powerful recital of his poem about making the world a better place.

Many of the contributors gave lengthy recitals without the aid of notes, among them Michael Coffey, Tom McGahon and Pat ‘Mo’ Heduan, as well as the redoubtable duo of Pat Kenny and Brian McLoughlin.

Patsy Jordan gave a gusty rendition of one of Tom McGahon’s poems while Margaret Kiernan, whose works were recently published, recited a couple of her compositions. Dr Brendan Mahon lightened the mood with his hilarious account of trying to quit smoking.

Kevin O’Brien Junior from The Rectory, just down the road, recited a John Betjeman poem, previously the preserve of the poetry evening founder, the late Watson Mills. Mr O’Brien announced that the Betjeman Society is actively recruiting new members and urged those present to consider joining. He alluded to Betjeman’s connections to the area and to the fact that his poem Sir John Piers was first published by the Westmeath Examiner.

Others who contributed on the night included Rita Tynan, Jacqui Wiley, Josephine Purcell, Patricia and Micheal Baynes, Derek Walsh, Kevin Moore, who recited his poems as Gaeilge and in English, Louise Ryan, Douglas Raeside, Brendan Martin, Naoise Moore, Donna Woods, Lorraine Murphy, Jimmy O’Connell, Niall Sheridan, Chele Crawley, and Shane Dunne.

The poetry evening is organised annually by local ladies Eleanor Murtagh and Betty Murtagh, on behalf of Westmeath Rural Arts. They thanked their cohort of helpers who row in behind them before and on the night. They also thanked organist Miriam Walsh from Churchtown, who entertained the guests with a splendid selection of melodies.

There is no cover charge, but those attending are invited to make donations to the North Westmeath Hospice. Mary Tunney of North Westmeath Hospice thanked the organisers and all who donated and gave an update on the hospice developments and plans.