
11th annual Poetry Day taking place nationwide today
This year's celebration, run by Poetry Ireland, has the theme "May Day" which is rooted in Ancient Traditions; including the fire festival of Bealtaine, and asks poets and participants to celebrate renewal, hope and abundance.
Liz Kelly, Director of Poetry Ireland, explains that "May Day" was chosen for this year's event as it marks the start of a month in which "nature seems to be bursting out of her skin, filling hedgerows and fields with wildflowers, the month of fire and light."
She goes on to say that she believes "poetry is an important way to understand and empathise with the world around us, which, at this moment in history, is deeply meaningful."
The day's first event got underway bright and early in Greystones Co. Wicklow with a Sunrise Swim & Poetry morning at 5.50am. Swimmers and poets gathered together to watch the sun rise, have a dip, and listen to poems read in all languages, both original and not.
Representatives from Poetry Ireland, Scríobh Arís, the local poetry group in Greystones, and Dave and Steve Flynn from the Happy Pear, led the charge this morning.
Francis Browner, a local poet in Greystones, a member of Scríobh Arís, and key in the organisation of the event, says it's been going for 4 years now. She says, "initially it was just let's give them all a stone with some poetry on it when they go into the sea, and then people started spontaneously reading poetry when they came out". It has now become a staple in the Poetry Day Calendar.
Deirdre McKernan Crosby is also a member of Scríobh Aris, which she joined through the Greystones Cancer Support group, and she says, " I was writing [poetry] before I knew it and was successfully published early on in my journey."
She says poetry has been "very cathartic" for her.
Also in attendance this morning was Poetry Ireland's Poet in Residence, Anne Tannam. This is the last official event of her tenure.
She told Morning Ireland about the importance of today and celebrating poetry:
"It is one day that we can all, for a moment stop, and really appreciate the incredible diversity of voices across the whole island of Ireland. So, its a really really special day where everybody can stop and share or read or write a bit of poetry and really celebrate our love of language."
There are a wide range of other events happening across the day, all over the country including creative writing and poetry workshops, spoken word events, pop-up poetry performances, as well as online events and a podcast dedicated to poetry.
As part of this year's celebration Poetry Ireland has also selected twelve poems to be showcased. They'll be displayed across the Iarnród Eireann rail network, as well as in libraries nationally. Some of the poets chosen include: Lorna Shaughnessy, Rosamund Taylor, Othuke Umukoro, and Alan Titley.
Another feature of this year's festival is a series of special poetry readings by well-known Irish voices such as Manchán Magan, writer and broadcaster, Joe Duffy, RTÉ radio host, and Michael Darragh MacAuley, All-Ireland Gaelic Football Champion.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
15-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
‘You get funny or starve', fumes controversial ex-RTE star over plea to fund struggling acts as ‘it could kill comedy'
COMIC Dave McSavage has blasted calls for the State to fund comedians and declared: 'You get funny or you starve.' The 59-year-old Advertisement 4 Comic Dave McSavage has blasted calls for the State to fund comedians Credit: Crispin Rodwell - The Sun Dublin 4 He said the thought of comics getting State payments is 'not a good idea' Credit: RTE 4 It comes after Brian Brennan criticised the Arts Council for not helping performers Credit: PR Handout It comes after The TD for Advertisement He has called for a widening of Arts Council guidelines on who can receive funding — to include stand-up performers like Dave. However, the award-winning entertainer disagrees. Dave told 'You need f***-all money to be a stand-up, 'If you create a great piece of comedy, people will pay for a ticket and come and see you. Advertisement 'Put simply, you get funny or you starve. Hunger and poverty can be a great motivator.' Dave added: 'For me, getting free money is not a good idea. In my drinking days, I would have drunk the money and not done anything. 'Unless a comedian had a bad car accident and needed to pay for physio, or needed money to David McSavage reads out mean tweets Dave, who starred in 2014 film Calvary with He said: 'I'd imagine you'd have to tick boxes in the application form and include one-legged people in all your jokes. Advertisement 'Government funding could kill comedy. Too often you have artists walking around thinking just because they have received State funding that validates their work, which is all wrong. 'These people are also adept at getting funding because they know the right things to say and how to present themselves. Wealthy patrons have commissioned artists to paint, sculpt or write for them in the past but I don't believe in Government funding for comedians full stop.' USED TO POLITICS Dave is well used to politics — his dad is former Speaking at a Dail Committee yesterday, Deputy Brennan asked why the current Arts Council exclusion policy exists towards some artists. 'Put simply, you get funny or you starve. Hunger and poverty can be a great motivator.' Dave McSavage He said: 'There is good work currently being done providing funding for some sectors and I encourage continued support for artists at a grassroots level. Advertisement 'The Arts Council funding aims to generate high quality experiences for the public to engage, develop talent and a programme to provide services that support the work of artists. 'DIFFICULT PROFESSION' 'With this in mind, we need to know how organisations such as the Fleadh Cheoil and talented people such as comedians are not included? 'To me, a comedian getting up on a stage is a really difficult profession and a wonderful art form. 'They should have the same opportunity to access funding.' He added: 'The Arts Council of Ireland's current strategy, Making Great Art Work, is all about strengthening the position of the arts in Irish life through supporting artists, promoting public engagement and fostering a diverse and vibrant arts sector. Advertisement 'RESPECT THEY DESERVE' 'Why are only certain artists included? Why should a Comhaltas artist differ from an opera singer? 'The Arts Council must ensure that all artists are treated with the respect they deserve by broadening its interpretation of art and ensuring more artists receive funding opportunities and resources.' 'Government funding could kill comedy. Too often you have artists walking around thinking just because they have received State funding that validates their work, which is all wrong." Dave McSavage Responding to Dave's comments, Brennan said: 'Comedians and other artists deserve the opportunity to apply for funding to support them in their performances. 'Not all comedians on the circuit have enjoyed the same success as Dave, who is a household name.' He added: 'Funding could be the vital difference in keeping them going rather than some of them having to give up performing.' Advertisement 'FUNDING EVALUATION' A spokeswoman said: 'The Arts Council has for some time funded the platforming of comedy through our support of arts centres and festivals, thereby providing important regional performance opportunities for a wide range of comedy. "The Arts Council is currently undertaking a large-scale research project into current and emerging artforms and art practice in Ireland. "The results of this research will assist in evaluating how we can be more inclusive of evolving artforms and arts practices in our funding. 'At present, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary artists who include or combine comedy with other artforms within their practice can apply for Arts Council funding via the multidisciplinary arts team.' 4 Dave starred in the 2014 film Calvary with Brendan Gleeson Advertisement


The Irish Sun
04-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
BBC comedy legend sparks concern as he cancels string of public appearances due to ‘medical situation'
A BBC comedy star sparked concern after cancelling a string of public appearances due to a 'medical situation'. Red Dwarf aired on and off from 1988 to 2020, with stints on BBC Two and Dave. 3 Red Dwarf aired on and off from 1988 to 2020 Credit: Alamy 3 Chris Barrie played Arnold Rimmer in the series Credit: Alamy 3 The hit comedy's core cast members Credit: Alamy Chris Barrie, 65, who played the holographic Arnold Rimmer, has cancelled upcoming public appearances owing to a "medical situation". Over the weekend, the actor had been set to appear at London Comic Con. Chris would have joined co-stars Craig Charles, Posting on his website, the star shared: "Hello everyone. Read more on BBC comedies "I'm going to be brief, but over the last week I have been dealing with a medical situation which I am only just beginning to get my head around. 'In the light of this I shall be attending no more events over the summer and into the autumn . "Updates on all this will be issued as and when.' Continuing, Chris confirmed he would be keeping one date in his calendar for the time being. Most read in News TV Namely, his November 9 appearance at Newcastle comedy event Scarborough Unleashed. He explained: "In the meantime I shall leave Scarborough on the itinerary for now and will look forward to returning there in the early winter . Red Dwarf's Craig Charles reveals there will be more specials of hit show "Obviously I shall miss not being with the posse in London this Sunday but I'm afraid that is the way it is. Enjoy!' Red Dwarf follows the adventures of a group of oddball characters who are stranded on a spaceship three million years in the future . The show's main character Dave Lister wakes up after three million years in suspended animation to find out the rest of the crew on his spaceship were killed in an accident. Red Dwarf cast members Sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf first aired on BBC2 in 1988 and ran until 1999, before it moved to UKTV channel Dave ten years later. Its cast members include: Craig Charles as Dave Lister Chris Barrie as Arnold Rimmer Robert Llewellyn as Kryten Norman Lovett/Hatty Hayridge as Holly This would have left him alone in outer space - if not for the strange companions he met along the way. This includes the hologram of his former bunkmate, the ship's computer, an android he rescues from a shipwreck, and the creature that evolved from what was his pet cat. It first aired on BBC2 in 1988 and ran until 1999, before it moved to UKTV channel Dave ten years later. Last year, it was announced the Comic Con Scotland in Edinburgh .


The Irish Sun
04-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
My intimate afternoon with Dave Grohl at The Savoy explains how he won back his wife after his baby with someone else
DAVE Grohl and his wife Jordyn Blum put on a united front as they returned to the Royal Box at Wimbledon in their first public appearance together since it was revealed he had fathered a secret love child with another woman - and I know exactly how he managed to win his partner of 22 years back. Twelve months is a long time in showbiz and it was a London tennis tournament last June. Advertisement 12 Dave Grohl and wife Jordyn Blum looked to be on happier terms at Wimbledon this week Credit: Getty 12 The Foo Fighters singer previously came forward about having an affair and admitted to having fathered a child with Jennifer Young (pictured in February) Credit: BackGrid 12 The pair beamed as they watched the tennis on Wednesday - following his baby scandal Credit: Alamy 12 The Sun's Fabulous Assistant Editor (celebrity) Kelly Allen met Dave at The Savoy in 2017 for a press event Credit: Supplied They appeared together last year where fans noted he seemed 'snappy and irritated' - but later in the summer the truth about his infidelity emerged. Advertisement His wife was already well aware of the affair and pregnancy but the mea culpa public announcement was a last ditch attempt to save their relationship. The 56 year old frontman welcomed a baby girl with Jennifer Young, a 38-year-old LA-based, rock-and-roll fan. "I've recently become the father of a new baby daughter, born outside of my marriage ", he "I love my wife and my children, and I am doing everything I can to regain their trust and earn their forgiveness." He added: "We're grateful for your consideration toward all the children involved, as we move forward together. Dave." Advertisement Since his shock admission, the couple have been trying to get their marriage back on track. In February those close to them revealed that Jordyn, 49, had 'forgiven' her husband. No one was more shocked by the news than me. I have been a huge fan of Dave since the 90s when he was a drummer in Nirvana and I believed he was one of the 'good guys'. I saw the Foo Fighters for the first time in 2003 at the Oxegen Festival in Punchestown, Ireland and was totally obsessed with Dave. Dave Grohl's alleged 15-Year affair and secret love child I remember as a young assistant producer back in 2007 working on BBC Radio 1 the excitement around the station broadcasting live backstage at a Foo Fighters gig in Wembley . Fearne Cotton told me beforehand: 'Dave Grohl is just the nicest man. He's so supportive of new musicians.' I was thrilled when I caught a glimpse of him from afar. Advertisement It was the same in 2015 at Radio 1's Big Weekend in Norwich. Everyone at all levels had nothing but good things to say about him. I saw first hand the former Nirvana drummer stand at the side of the stage watching Catfish and the Bottleman as well as a then much less famous Taylor Swift take to the stage before them. There was a sense that he wasn't a typical 'rockstar' but a family man as he told the 25,000 strong crowd: "I'm officially obsessed, she might want to get a restraining order. "To my opening band, Taylor Swift . Taylor and the Swifts. My kids will kill me for saying this, but this one is dedicated to Taylor Swift.' While he often had lots of women (me included) swooning in his presence it appeared there was no one he had eyes for apart from Jordyn - who he met in 2001. Advertisement People always commented about how his eyes lit up when he talked about her and how in love they seemed. 12 Relations appeared frosty between Dave and Jordyn last year at Wimbledon Credit: Darren Fletcher 12 Fans noted he seemed 'snappy and irritated' at the tennis championship in 2024 Credit: Darren Fletcher 'My future ex-wife' He previously revealed he met his wife at the Sunset Marquis Whiskey Bar in Los Angeles in 2001. He was with the band's late drummer Taylor Hawkins, who was chatting up Jordyn's friend. Advertisement He revealed: 'I spotted these totally hot chicks appear, like a vision - my friend's date and her friend. "They didn't really want to talk to me, probably because I looked gross, so I did what any man in my position would have done: I got them totally drunk. "In the end, I wound up writing, 'You're my future ex-wife' with my number on a piece of paper and giving it to Jordyn. 12 Dave met 'hot chick' Jordyn in 2001 and gave her his number on a piece of paper that said 'you're my future ex-wife' Credit: Getty 12 The pair went on to have three daughters together, Violet Maye, 19, Harper Willow, 16 and ten-year-old Ophelia Saint Credit: Getty Advertisement 12 The whole family often went on tour with Dave and the band Credit: Getty "We started to see each other but then I got a bit freaked out by being in a relationship and stopped calling. "Anyway, we went on tour and our drummer overdosed. [Tayor later died in 2022 from a separate overdose]. It was bad. Really bad. And it made me put things into perspective. "When we got back to LA, I called her up and said, 'Let's go for a drink'. Just to wind me up, she appeared wearing a wedding ring... and we've been together ever since.' I love my wife and my children, and I am doing everything I can to regain their trust and earn their forgiveness Dave Grohl The pair went on to have three daughters together, Violet Maye, 19, Harper Willow, 16 and ten-year-old Ophelia Saint. Advertisement The whole family often went on tour with the band with Dave sharing previously: 'Having had such a good relationship with my mom and dad, I always imagined I'd have a family myself one day. I just couldn't see it happening while I was playing in a band and going on tour and being a working, travelling musician. "Then it dawned on me that you can do both and, fortunately, we are able to. A lot of people struggle with it and [the band] knows how fortunate we are that we can have the luxury of touring less and having our families come out when we want or need them to.' GROHL MEET UP 12 Kelly interviewed Dave before his Glastonbury gig Credit: Getty Having been to see Foo Fighters more times than I can count, I was devastated when I failed to get tickets to see them headline Glastonbury Festival in 2017 - so I was thrilled when I was sent to interview them in London the day before they went to the festival instead. I - along with another newspaper journalist - waited excitedly at the posh five-star Savoy Hotel on the Strand, London for our moment with the band. Advertisement Eventually, we were ushered into the grand suite with giant opulent velvet sofas and plush floral curtains - it felt like the wrong environment to be sitting down with Dave and his bandmate Taylor. We swear the whole f**king time. I basically say f**king in every sentence. I think I have anxiety driven Tourette's Dave Grohl We were offered tea poured into fancy tea cups before the chat about what it meant to them to headline at the Pyramid stage at Worthy Farm meant to them. They had been forced to pull out in 2015 after the frontman fell off the stage and broke his leg in Sweden . I was utterly charmed by them both - particularly Dave who gave enthusiastic answers to all my questions. 12 The Foo Fighters headlined Glastonbury Festival in 2017 Credit: Getty Images - Getty Advertisement He was particularly amused when I told him headliner Adele had been scolded the previous year for swearing 33 times in 90 minutes. "You aren't allowed to f**king swear at the show? Good luck,' he warned the BBC. 'Oh god, they are in for a big surprise with that one. Sh*t I didn't realise that. We swear the whole f**king time. I basically say f**king in every sentence. I think I have anxiety driven Tourette's." Even his leg injury was treated with humour admitting: "There is no problem with my leg at all. "The only thing that I can't do it cross my legs. It doesn't even go off going through the security in airport. I'm so f**king bummed. I would love to tell that story." Advertisement ROYAL CONNECTIONS 12 Prince Harry embracing Dave at the Invictus Games closing concert in 2014 Credit: Paul Edwards - The Sun He also revealed close pal Prince Harry [Foo Fighters played the Invictus Games closing concert in 2014] came to see him while he was recuperating from the operation in London. "Just after surgery, the first person to visit me was Will, the drummer from Coldplay and he brought me a paper. When I got to the hotel then Harry came over. He brought me a gift. It was a pillow you put your iPad on. It was really thoughtful. He's f**king great. Our nanny Alexis came in and it took her five minutes before she realised she was sitting in a room with Prince Harry . He's pretty unassuming. He's great." After posing for a snap , Dave said with a glint in his eye 'Make sure you watch our set'. Of course I tuned in at home. Dave took to the stage and said: 'Yesterday we were doing an interview and someone said 'You know you're not supposed to swear. Advertisement "There's no swearing at Glastonbury.' I was like 'What the f**k is that supposed to mean?' and I guess Adele holds the record for the most f**ks at Glastonbury. "Now I love Adele but guess what f**k, f**k, f**k….. Ok I think we've broken the record. I think that was more than 33.' I was absolutely bowled over by him mentioning my interview on stage in front of all those people. While recovering from an affair is never easy - I imagine that charm and cheekiness has him get his marriage back on track. There is no doubt the loss of Taylor three years ago had a profound effect on Dave but I'm hoping this Advertisement Dave Grohl's career timeline Nirvana's beat keeper Grohl first pounded his way into the limelight as the powerhouse drummer for grunge gods, Nirvana. With his thunderous rhythms driving classics like "Smells Like Teen Spirit," he became the heartbeat of a generation. But tragedy struck when frontman Kurt Cobain's untimely demise in 1994 left fans and bandmates reeling. Foo Fighters: From grief to glory Grohl swapped his drumsticks for a guitar and microphone, birthing the Foo Fighters in 1995. The band's debut album, recorded entirely by Grohl himself, was an instant hit. Dave recruited a fine ensemble of musicians to make the band a more collaborative effort and they have gone on to rack up an enviable greatest hits collection including "Everlong", "The Pretender" and "Learn to Fly". Collaborations and cameos: A star-studded rock odyssey! Never one to rest on his laurels, Grohl's star power attracted collaborations with rock titans like Queens of the Stone Age, Nine Inch Nails and Paul McCartney. His uncanny knack for blending genres saw him jamming with everyone from punk legends to pop icons. Documentaries and directorial dreams Grohl's talents extend beyond the stage. He directed the acclaimed documentary "Sound City" in 2013, celebrating the iconic recording studio. His 2014 HBO series "Sonic Highways" took fans on a musical road trip across America, blending history and harmony.