Kiltimagh, in the parish of Cill Aodáin (Killedan), is the birthplace of the old, blind bard, Anthony Raftery. The community are working on building on his legacy and promoting and developing Kiltimagh as a literary tourism destination. They are working on transforming a narrow alleyway/snicket into a poetry gallery. This, in turn, is to be part of a Poetry Trail that will include and display the work of selected Mayo poets in other locations around the town. Each of the poems would be on limestone plaques of about 35 centimetres square.

‘The Poet’s Way’ runs from Aidan Street – opposite the library and up to the Circular Road next to where the old school/artist’s residence is situated.

It is the intention to begin with five Mayo poets, plus this year’s winner of the annual Raftery Poetry Prize, Darragh Byrne who lives in Sydney but we feel that exhibiting his poem contributes to our overall aim of promoting Kiltimagh as a literary tourism destination. The winner of the annual Raftery Poetry Prize will be added each year.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.