The literary world welcomed a new talent in September when the prestigious Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award was given to UCC librarian John Fitzgerald. A virtual unknown, having no previous publications, Fitzgerald was quoted in the Irish Times as saying, “I wasn’t into publishing anything, mainly because I did not think it was up to standard.”
All that changed when his first collection of poems, Leaving My Husband, was released. Since his win, Fitzgerald’s book has been shortlisted for the Hennessy New Irish Writing Award 2015.
Fitzgerald, who hails from Lissarda, Co. Cork, only started writing poetry four years ago. A graduate of UCC he had previously worked as a librarian for Trinity College, Dublin before starting at UCC in 1996. As he noted, “it’s very good to have the day job and to be working in an environment which is hospitable to literature.” He cites Elizabeth Bishop as an early influence and credits his schooling days at De La Salle College in Macroom as a place he said, “developed my love of literature.”
Unpublished Poet Awarded Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Prize
I wrote with the late Harry Chapin…and for Sid Bernstein. Where do I go to make someone aware of my lyrics or poems.
MY IRISH ROSE
In the corner of the pub I stand and raise my glass
and ask the folks to drink a toast to my Irish Lass
the one I left behind – the one with the Irish smile
the one I left behind – the one with the Irish eyes
so raise your glass and drink a toast to my Irish lass
cause hope and dreams of love and life they all go by so fast
she said oh Jimmy please don’t go – you know I love you so
I kissed her lips and held her tight she was my Irish rose
then packed my bags with hopes and dreams and off to old New York
and left her waving on the pier my rose of County Cork
I said someday I would return and marry you my lass
but days and weeks turned into months as years went by so fast
In the corner of the pub I stand and raise my glass
and ask the folks to drink a toast to my Irish Lass
the one I left behind – the one with the Irish smile
the one I left behind – the one with the Irish eyes
so raise your glass and drink a toast to my Irish lass
cause hope and dreams of love and life they all go by so fast
I thought someday I would return with pockets full of gold
but time has not been good to me I’m a penny short of poor
it took me years to find my way back to County Cork
to try and find my Irish lass but she had died the year before
and on her stone the words they read – forever Jimmy boy
I place a flower on her grave – god bless my Irish Rose
By Vincent J Kelly (c)2000
from the song My Irish Rose
vincentjkelly@yahoo.com