Paul Durcan, the poet known for bringing attention to the walk to Poolbeg Lighthouse, celebrates his 80th birthday today. The Dubliner, born on October 16, 1944, is described as a poet “ahead of his time,” according to Niall MacMonagle, editor of a new book titled 80 At 80, which honors Durcan’s work.
MacMonagle praised Durcan’s lasting impact, noting that Leaving Certificate students across Ireland are studying his poetry. He highlighted Durcan’s poem, “Martha’s Wall,” which recounts a walk to Poolbeg Lighthouse. MacMonagle emphasized how Durcan vividly describes the sky, the sea, and the tranquility experienced beneath the red lighthouse at the end of the causeway.
“He is unlike any other poet. His voice is distinctive, giving him a unique presence in the literary world,” MacMonagle said. “You never know what to expect from Paul Durcan. He creates many different personae. He presents a scenario and then surprises you. His ability to capture the spirit of the times and write about Ireland and the world is always interesting and exciting.”
With over 20 books published, Durcan’s poetry has provided a soundtrack to MacMonagle’s life for more than 40 years. He praised the inclusion of Durcan’s work in the Leaving Certificate curriculum, describing it as liberating and dynamic. The poems selected for study include powerful themes, such as homelessness after a marriage breakdown and the tragic deaths of five nuns in a fire.
Other notable poems include one celebrating the birth of his first granddaughter, Rosie Joyce, and pieces with striking titles like The Wife Who Smashed The Television Screen Gets Jail and The Man With A Bit Of Jizz In Him. “Father’s Day,” another significant poem, begins with madness but evolves into a meditation on his two daughters and his feelings of loneliness.
Durcan’s poetry has reached audiences worldwide, offering a glimpse into Dublin and Ireland. “He has a huge following and has performed in Australia, Latin America, Russia, New Zealand, America, and all over Europe,” MacMonagle said.
His works cover a wide range of topics, including the church, the divorce referendum, the election of Mary Robinson, and the Northern Troubles. Poems like I’ve Got the Premier League Blues, Kilfenora Tea Boy, and Making Love Outside Áras an Uachtaráin reflect life in Ireland. His poem Cardinal Dies of Heart Attack in Dublin Brothel challenges readers to rethink their perspectives.
Durcan often writes about his upbringing in Dartmouth Square, where his father served as a Circuit Court judge, while his mother, Sheila MacBride, nurtured his poetic talent. He recalls a vivid childhood memory in The MacBride Dynasty, where he visits his grand-aunt, Maude Gone, who was an iconic figure and the great love of Yeats.
A celebration of Paul Durcan’s 80th birthday and the launch of 80 At 80 will take place at the Gate Theatre on October 21. The event, organized by Poetry Ireland and the Gate Theatre’s Gatecrashes series in partnership with Dublin UNESCO City of Literature, will feature live readings of some of Durcan’s best-loved poems.
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