In 2008, as a mature student in Galway, I encountered again Paula Meehan’s The Statue of the Virgin at Granard Speaks. It came as a jolt to realise that, unlike me, most of the class were not even born when Ann Lovett died in 1985. For many, the poem served as their introduction to the tragedy.
It was a powerful reminder of what good poetry can do – and of why it is necessary.
Meehan has dedicated much of her work to an exploration of the lives of the oppressed and the marginalised in society. Other favourite poems for me are My Father Perceived as a Vision of St Francis (a loving paean to her father) and Playing House.
I love her verbal energy and the profound compassion that I find in her work. She is a dynamic public advocate for Irish poetry. I was thrilled when she was announced as Ireland Professor of Poetry. In that role, she has set out her stall as being to join the street to the academy – I can think of no-one better placed to do so.
Paula Meehan is Ireland Professor of Poetry 2013 - 2016. Her collections include The Man Who Was Marked by Winter, Pillow Talk and Painting Rain.
Other favourites: Vona Groarke and Claire Keegan
Maureen Kennelly is director of Poetry Ireland
