If you have a penchant for poetry or love to listen to literature, Westmeath Rural Arts wants to hear from you.
On Friday, August 23 at 7pm, they will host the ninth ‘An Evening of Poetry’ in St Bigseach’s Church, Kilbixy with all donations going to North Westmeath Hospice.
Previous years have seen over 30 performers take to the stage to read their own compositions, or favourite pieces, with some choosing to regale prose. A firm date in the diary of creatives from around the county and the community alike, everyone is welcome to take to the stage and entertain, with complimentary wine and nibbles provided.
The evening is the brainchild of Watson Mills, who along with friends Betty Murtagh and Eleanor Murtagh organised the annual event until he sadly passed away in 2021. The two women were deeply saddened by his passing but have continued on his good work in his memory.
Watson Mills
“Watson is the founder member, it was his idea from the word go,” Eleanor told Topic. “He loved poetry and had huge admiration for the Westmeath Hospice and the work they do.”
The idea was conceived when Watson approached his neighbours with a challenge.
He said, ‘I want you to do something for the hospice,’ and tasked us with coming up with something,” Betty recalled. “He suggested poetry which he loved and was very good at reciting. He read at the event every year, right up until he passed away. We have continued the event on because Watson wouldn’t be happy if we didn’t. We do it in his honour.”
“We have lost some great performers over the years but they are always in our thoughts. ”
With reading slots of up to five minutes, Eleanor has this guidance for budding bards.
“Anyone can perform, that has always been our ethos. You don’t have to have written the poem yourself, you can pick a favourite poem, maybe one you learned at school – everybody has one of those.”
“Having that ethos brings the whole community out, not just the poets, even though they are talented and we love to have them,” Betty added. “When a talented and creative person comes up, it really shines through them but it is the spoken word that is important. To read a poem to yourself is so different from hearing it performed by a person in their own accent and in their own vocabulary. That vernacular is so important and is the reason Westmeath Rural Arts in the first place, to bring art into the rural areas.”
Rural Arts
Westmeath Rural Arts was set up to encourage and nourish arts in rural areas and to network between different areas. The friends were there from the start, and Eleanor would love to see a ‘renaissance of the rural arts.’
“When we first started, we were in Ballynacargy, Milltown, Sonna, Streete and Rathowen,” she said. “It gave creative people from those areas a venue to perform and participate. We brought photography, drama classes, singers and musicians out of the big towns and into the local halls. It’s a pity that we don’t have more committee members because we could do so much more. If anyone is interested in becoming involved, we would love to hear from them and if there are artists who want to promote their own work, get in touch.”
The Venue
The community space in St Bigseach’s church is the perfect size for the 50-70 poetry fans who gather every year and provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the enchanting evening.
“The venue is so important,” Betty continued. “Poetry sounds better in places suited to it and people like Kilbixy, returning every year; people like Matty Coffey and Pat Murtagh, who have been with us from the start. Matty recites poems by the Canadian Robert Service without any notes, beautifully and word perfect.
“We have quirky numbers too that go down a treat. Brian McLoughlin, Marty Mulligan and Pat Carton come to mind, they always get a great reaction.”
Go for it!
Over the years, Betty has witnessed many who wanted to step up but were too nervous.
“There have been people dying to get up, but just haven’t had the confidence, and I’m sure there were many more who never said. If someone is considering it, I’d encourage them to give it a go, they’ll be delighted with themselves afterwards.”
Due to the numbers taking part, performances are limited to five minutes, with multiple pieces welcome within that time frame. Beyond that, anything goes.
“We welcome everyone and everything,” Eleanor said. “Contact us to get your name on the programme and if you get the urge on the night, just let us know. Likewise, if we omit you from the lineup, please remind us. It is definitely not intentional.
“It’s a lot of work but a great feeling at the end of the evening when people are happy and everyone had a good time. We have great support from the community, especially from Violet Medford, David Miller and Aidan O’Rourke, but we appreciate all the help we get,” Betty concluded.
To get on the programme or for more information, contact bettybligh@gmail.com
