Role Poet Nationality Irish Spouse Nessa O'Neill (m. ?–1984) | Name Paul Durcan | |
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Parents Sheila MacBride Durcan, John Durcan Children Siabhra Durcan, Sarah Durcan Books Praise in Which I Live and, The Laughter of Mothers, The Berlin Wall Café, Life is a Dream: 40 Years Re, Cries of an Irish caveman Similar People John Montague, Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill, Leland Bardwell | ||
Paul durcan a voice that won t be boxed in
Paul Durcan (born 16 October 1944) is a contemporary Irish poet.
Contents
- Paul durcan a voice that won t be boxed in
- Paul durcan reads paul 1991
- Early life
- Career
- Awards
- Paul Durcan s Diary
- Poetry books
- References
Paul durcan reads paul 1991
Early life
Durcan was born and grew up in Dublin and in Turlough, County Mayo. His father, John, was a barrister and circuit court judge; father and son had a difficult and formal relationship. Durcan enjoyed a warmer and more natural relationship with his mother, Sheila MacBride Durcan, through whom he is a great-nephew of both Maud Gonne, muse of WB Yeats and Irish social and political activist, and John MacBride, one of the leaders of the Easter Rising, which began the Irish War of Independence leading to the foundation of the Irish state.
He studied Archaeology and Medieval History at University College Cork.While at college, Durcan was kidnapped by his family and committed against his will to Saint John of God psychiatric hospital in Dublin, and later to a Harley Street clinic where he was subjected to electric shock treatment and heavy dosages of barbiturates and Mandrax.
In 1966, Durcan moved to live in London, where he worked at the North Thames Gas Board. He met Nessa O'Neill in 1967; they married and had two daughters, Sarah and Siabhra. They lived in South Kensington, then moved to Cork where his wife taught in a prison. The marriage ended at in early 1984.
Career
Durcan's main published collections include: A Snail in my Prime, Crazy About Women, Greetings to Our Friends in Brazil and Cries of an Irish Caveman. He appeared on the 1990 Van Morrison album Enlightenment, giving an idiosyncratic vocal performance on the song, "In The Days Before Rock'n'Roll", which he also co-wrote.
In 2003, he published a collection of his weekly addresses to the nation, Paul Durcan's Diary, on RTÉ Radio 1 programme Today with Pat Kenny. He was shortlisted in 2005 for the Poetry Now Award for his collection, The Art of Life. In 2009, he was conferred with an honorary degree by Trinity College, Dublin. In 2011 Durcan was conferred with an honorary doctorate from University College Dublin.
Between 2004–2007 Durcan was the third Ireland Professor of Poetry.
Durcan is a member of Aosdána.
A number of poems from Durcan's poetry career is studied by Irish students who take the Leaving Certificate.
Awards
Paul Durcan 's Diary
This collection gives a new view of Duncan's work and a more intimate view of him and his poetry. It gives an insight into his childhood and allows readers to reflect themselves.