Borrow a Poet at Cork City Library June 2026

 Thanks to Kemi George for inviting me to participate in 'Borrow a Poet' hosted by Cork City Library June 2026.

The event was expertly curated by Kemi and the audience provided a warm reception. Kemi recorded my reading of my poem 'Beyond'. I gave a talk which included the background to how the poem came about and its journey since and I brought the physical painting ('Narkissos Beyond' by John Philip Murray) which was the initial trigger for this poem into the library so that participants could see and experience the actual painting.

Further details on The Poets Library.

 

Link to 'Beyond' published by Colin Dardis on Poem Alone, Nov 2025

Poetry Day Macroom Library 2026

I was so pleased to finally share a reading with the wonderful poet and person, Eileen Sheehan at Macroom Library on 28th May 2026 to mark Poetry Day.

The theme for Poetry Day was 'Home' so as you can imagine we had lots of 'home' poems. I called the event Poetic Triptych for three reasons: to celebrate Poetry Day, Bealtaine & Africa (Day) and the reason for including the latter is that I have been invited to read at a poetry festival in a small university town in Kenya in Oct. It's with trepidation that I plan my journey but am encouraged with a travel award from Culture Ireland. I know that I will learn more from Africa than anything I might impart whilst there. We also celebrated the coming together in Cork of a poet from Donegal and one from Kerry.

Thanks to Cork County Council Library & Arts Service for their support and to Sheila Fitzgerald, The Corkman and all who participated and attended the event.

Those who participated in the open mic. From left to right: Miriam Logue, John W. Sexton, Bernadette Gallagher, Catherine Sheahan, Eileen Sheehan, Helena Kelly, Janet O'Leary and Patrick Walsh.

Spring 2026

This past Winter and early Spring has showered on me a quietness from which I am slowly emerging. 

Tá clóca ceoach orm ach tá a fhios agam nach bhfuil an ghrian fada uainn.

Recent publications:

January saw my poem 'Ganga to La Croix' published by Live Encounters, editor: Mark Ulyseas. This poem was first published and written in response to a request from Friends of the Mississippi River, Write to the River, Fall 2019.

During February the poet and editor, David Cooke, published 'REPENTANCE AT KILLING A SLUG' in the Spring 2026 edition of  The High Window.

During March Anna Blasiak translated this poem into Polish for Babiniec Literacki

Readings:

Women in Revival (Press); Kinsale Library, 7th March / International Women's Day

On Saturday 7th March 2026 I will be reading with poet friends Fiona Smith & Anne Rath in the library in Kinsale, County Cork. This will be a celebration of International Women's Day. Thanks to Fiona for organising this event supported by Poetry Ireland and Cork County Council Library & Arts Service / Kinsale Library. 

        

Bilingual Poetry Reading & open-mic, Macroom Library, 14th March / Seachtain na Gaeilge

On Saturday 14th March 2026 2:30 to 3:30pm / Dé Sathairn an 14th Márta

Macroom Library @Briery Gap / Leabharlann Mhaigh Chromtha

Poetic Voices from the Community / Guthanna Fileata ó Mhaigh Chromtha agus na ceantair máguaird

Beidh beirt fhile Bernadette Gallagher agus Jeanna Ní Ríordáin ag léamh filíochta dá gcuid as Béarla agus as Gaeilge agus ina dhiaidh sin, tabharfar cuireadh daoibh bhur ndánta féin, nó dán le duine eile, a léamh.

Beidh fáilte mhór romhaibh go léir!

Urraithe le Seirbhís Leabharlainne & Ealaíona Comhairle Chontae Chorcaí