Wednesday, March 26, 2008



As part of their class-work, fifth year students wrote to one of Ireland’s most influential poets, John Montague, asking him questions about his work, his life and his career as a writer. The response they received was unexpected: a visit from Ireland’s first Professor of Poetry himself.

Montague joined the class for an informal question and answer session where he discussed his poetry and also talked about his life in America, his relationship with his father and his vocation as a poet.

Montague, 78, was born in Brooklyn, reared in Tyrone, and educated in Cork and Dublin. From 1972 to 1988 he lectured at U.C.C., influencing a whole generation of poets.

The students were clearly impressed by the poet’s visit. “I felt privileged to have this opportunity to discuss his work with him,” commented one. Another student described the experience of meeting a “living legend” as a “once in a lifetime experience”.

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