Patrick Kavanagh, one of the foremost Irish poets of the twentieth century, was born in Inniskeen on 21st October 1904. His first volume of poems ‘The Ploughman and other poems’ was published in 1936.

Kavanagh went to Dublin in 1939 where he worked as a journalist and film critic. In the early 40s his poems began to attract attention. In Dublin, his beloved second home, he was immortalized according to his wishes: “O commemorate me with no hero-courageous tomb– just a canal-bank seat for the passer-by.”

The Trustees of the Patrick Kavanagh estate organised a centenary celebration outside Parsons bookshop in July of this year to honour his memory. Peter Kavanagh, his brother, who lives in New York, was there to address the crowd.

Patrick lived in Raglan Road and used to drink in the local pubs. He is especially remembered by Dubliners for his great poem ‘Raglan Road’. This poem was recorded and popularised by Luke Kelly and set to the traditional air ‘Fainne Gael an Lae’ (The Dawning of the Day).

On Raglan Road of an Autumn day
I saw her first and knew,
That her dark hair would weave a snare
That I might someday rue.
I saw the danger and I passed
Along the enchanted way.
And I said, “Let grief be a fallen leaf
At the dawning of the day.”

Events
Screening of Patrick Kavanagh related films in the Irish Film Centre, Eustace Street on 14th October. (6793477)

Official Centenary Commemoration, 21st October in The City Hall, Dublin 13.00 to 14.30 featuring well-known actors and musicians. All welcome.

Special Kavanagh Commemorative Evening on 21st October in the National Concert Hall, organized by Noel O’Grady.