Poetry Ireland Introduction Series Part 2

Part 2 of Poetry Ireland's Introductions series tonight and once again four very different poets to enjoy.

Andrew Jamison, the pride of county Down, had the unenviable task of kicking off the night but he gave it a great start. Lots of humour in his introductions and a lot of poems about buses, as he acknowledged himself. His poems are snapshots of time and very very good.

Stephen Leyland treated us to extracts from his Ramblings of an Unkempt Man, a veritable kaleidoscope of images encompassing the whole world and all of history. This is another writer whose work I would love to sit down and read as there is so much in every line of his that this poor brain couldn't take it all in.

Niamh MacAlister gave an assured performance next with her little vignettes of everyday life and relationships. The sea she admitted had been a powerful influence on her and her poetry, which is crafted with style and thought. Definitely one to watch.

Connie Roberts rounded off the session with what could have easily been an Angelas Ashes depiction of her years in an Irish orphanage but which was written and delivered with superb poise and control. Beautiful images, ugly images, all woven together with the skill of a master storyteller. A very powerful performance.