Ireland: Its land, its beauty, its people Poetry performance in Templemore

Poetry performance in Templemore

By Leanne Donegan

Emmy-winning writer Alan Cooke will perform a selection of poetry and prose at his event titled ‘Coming Home, A Journey Through the Celtic Landscape in Poetry and Words’ in Templemore on June 23.

According to Mr Cooke, also known as the Wild Irish Poet, the event in Slí Eile aims to connect us back into the essence of our soul connection to our native Ireland. After spending a huge portion of his life in the west of Ireland, after moving from New York, Mr Cooke began exploring the world of nature and Celtic heritage surrounding him.

It was Mr Cooke’s Emmy-winning documentary that led him to translate these experiences into prose and poems to help others connect on a deeper level with their Irish culture.

“When I made my New York documentary 'Home’, I would take to the streets with a notebook and a pen and script and sculpt moments into a poetic prose, which became seminal in the film. I took that skill and my experiences back to the beauty, wildness, harshness and elemental soul of the west of Ireland, and the poems flowed.”

Mr Cooke believes that poetry is not only a vocation, but an immensely powerful medium that conveys a lifetime of feeling and thoughts in a few lines.

“Ireland is a poem to me, so expressing it in this form can be elemental. We have a history of the poet having a high standing in Ireland.

“A poet's true calling is to bring beauty back to the soul of words. And in these dark times, that is essential.”

The event takes place at 8pm on June 23 in Slí Eile, Templemore. Although there is no set pricing, a donation of €15 is suggested.

Seats can be booked by sending a text message to 087 179 1410.

COMING HOME - EVENT IN TIPPERARY JUNE 23RD