Through Creative Ireland we are revisiting Edward (the Poet) Egan from the Meelaghans, near Geashill (who was writing poetry at the turn of the last century) through contemporary children’s poetry writing; republishing his work and commemorating him in the streetscape.
Over the past two years spoken word poet, John Cummins has worked with the children of Geashill National School, encouraging them to respond to their own place through the medium of poetry, following in Edward Egan’s footsteps. The form and delivery however is more hip, hop and rap, but passed on to the children with gentle encouragement and patience so that even the most reticent soon join in. The mood lightens, relaxes, and the fun flows as John finds out who is ‘penthusiastic’, or who can ‘make it personal – autobiopic’. During break a football is driven testingly at John. His former career as a young apprentice at Arsenal and his current role as Poet in Residence at Bohemians F.C. dispel any lingering doubts about the ‘coolness’ of writing poetry.
