DESCRIPTION : The New Irish Poets is a landmark
anthology of the newest generation of Irish writers now making
their mark in poetry at the start of the 21st century.
Selina Guinness's lively selection
covers over 30 poets of all ages from all parts of Ireland who've
produced first collections over the past ten years, offering
rare insights into how the freshest writing talents have responded
to a period of profound social, cultural and political change
in the Republic and in Northern Ireland.
Dynamic and confident in their
diverse voices — whether conversational, caustic or solemn
in tone — these poets open up the world to unexpected horizons,
unsuspected pleasures and surprising conclusions. The book supplies
a new measure for Ireland in the coming times.
The New Irish Poets features all of the prominent new poets
who've received major awards and international critical recognition
as well as giving a platform to less well-known new writers published
by small presses. Illustrated with photographs and helpful editorial
commentaries, the book includes a parallel-text selection of
poems by three new Irish-language poets.
Nearly half the writers are women,
and there's a broad mix of young and old, ranging from Fergus
Allen, now in his 80s — but who made his début ten
years ago — to the youngest, Leanne O'Sullivan, who is only
21 : her first collection Waiting for Her Clothes
is published by Bloodaxe at the same time as this anthology.
With its wide-ranging, up-to-the-minute
selections, The New Irish Poets bears witness to the amazing
growth and flowering of contemporary Irish poetry over the past
decade.
