The Poetry's Dead Podcast

Poems from the show:Aisling Bonner - Dublin, Oh Dublin (Taken from RTE's 2FM Breakfast Show)Aisling Bonner (@aisling_bon) | TikTokRobert Sheehan - Untitled PoemRobert Sheehan - IMDbClaudine Tierney - Willie Daly, Matchmaker Extraordinaire Claudine Tierney (@claudine_artist) • Instagram photos and videosJames Joyce - Araby (A Short Story)Dubliners - WikipediaNiamh Be - Busy Intrusive ThoughtsBusy Intrusive Thoughts – Niamh Be MusingsBaz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free To Wear SunscreenBaz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free To Wear SunscreenSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

This week's show we keep it a little lighter, but I think in doing so we accidentally got a bit macho. Nightmare really. Especially that chat we have about what dog should you aspire to be. That was definitely a toxic conversation lol.Anyway! Poems this week about being sound, being brave, being aware, being alert to the way you show up in the world and we also have a poem about the naivety of human kindness thanks to James Tate's 'Good Time Jesus'.If you'd like to see this mess of a show in person, we will be at the International Literature Festival Dublin in Merrion Square on Saturday 16th May so see you there!International Literature Festival Dublin | The Poetry's Dead Podcast Live - International Literature Festival DublinPoems from the show:David Hynes - I Am Herehttps://www.instagram.com/hynestein1/Seamus Heaney - From The Republic Of Consciencehttps://www.rte.ie/radio/dramaonone/1349892-from-the-republic-of-conscience-by-seamus-heaneyJohn Keats - When I Have Fears That I May Cease To Behttps://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44488/when-i-have-fears-that-i-may-cease-to-beGood Time Jesus - James Tatehttps://poets.org/poem/goodtime-jesusCiara Ni E - A Different Animalhttps://www.instagram.com/miseciara/Music by Mathilde Lotti - Cumbia Del Amor Perdidohttps://www.instagram.com/matilde_lotti/Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Trigger warning: This episode includes subjects that some listeners might find difficult to listen to, including sexual assault and rape.If you are a long-time listener, you'll know that we like to keep it light. However, we felt after reading the CNN Rape Academy expose that there was a duty to add to the conversation with the help of experts in the field to hopefully raise awareness and, maybe, change a few lives in the process.Aside from discussing the actions of awful men, we discuss our trip to Wolverhampton to see Jan Brierton and Henry Normal, which was just class.We talk about the excitement of being a child at IKEA with the help of Charlotte McDermott, read a section of Strumpett City by James Plunkett and wrap up with one of the most fun-named poets we've featured so far - AB Banjo Paterson.Thanks again for listening guys. As always, if you do like the show and joining us every week, please like and share the show :)Ryan and LeonPoems from the showIsle Of Tiles - Charlotte McDermotthttps://www.instagram.com/charley_mwc/Strumpet City - James Plunketthttps://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/strumpet-city-the-impossible-irish-novel-1.1343043Unmasking - Kemi George Simpsonhttps://www.instagram.com/kemigeorgesimpson/AB Banjo paterson - A Mountain Stationhttps://englishverse.com/poems/a_mountain_stationMusic by Saibhin - Absence Of Touchhttps://saibhin.co/Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Did you ever think you did something awful as a child that didn't actually happen?Yeah, no, mad to think that's something common and not just you, don't you think? We talk about that today on the podcast after we share a poem that was Nelson Mandela's favourite poem. If you don't know what the Mandela effect is, get ready.We share the full version of T.S Eliot's masterpiece 'The Love Song Of J Alfred Prufrock as well today, which is as moving a dipiction of getting older as it gets really.We also have poetry from Christina Hennerman, Aimee Patchell Smith, Ann Bradstreet and a track from Shakalak to wrap up.Enjoy the podcast, share the news. Thanks to everyone who met us in Wolverhampton too this weekend where we joined Jan Brierton and Henry Normal for a few poems.LoveRyan and LeonPoems from the show:The Love Song Of J Alfred Prufrock - T.S Eliothttps://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/44212/the-love-song-of-j-alfred-prufrockIn Reference To Her Children, 23 June 1659 by Anne Bradstreethttps://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43704/in-reference-to-her-children-23-june-1659Christina Henneman - Poem from Birthmarkhttps://www.shearsman.com/store/Christina-Hennemann-Birthmark-p767566784Aimee Patchell Smith - Co-Sleepinghttps://www.instagram.com/musingsbymimiSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

The Times' newspaper lost a few subscribers this week after a ridiculous critique of Harry Baker's life show had caused a rightful stir in the poetry community. We talk about the snobbery elitism that hums in the background of the current movement of really sound people performing really powerful words.We're off to Wolverhampton to see Jan Brierton and Henry Normal on tour next weekend, the latter of which we haven't shared a poem from before which we put right this week.Andrea Gibson and Darby Hudson make their Poetry's Dead debuts this week too, before our agony aunt fixes the issue of putting it all off until tomorrow.Thanks again to everyone listening. We really do need all the support so if the podcast if your little secret, change it and spread the word!Ryan and LeonPoems from the showAndrea Gibson - Time Piecehttps://andreagibson.org/Harry Baker - Instructions For My Funeralhttps://www.harrybaker.co/Darby Hudson - Chapters from 'Darby, Love'https://www.darbyhudsonart.com/Alice Murphy - Untitledhttps://www.instagram.com/aliceasks/Music from How I Became A Wave - You Always Had A Way With Wordshttps://www.howibecameawave.com/Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Words That Changed Your LifeWe opened last week’s show with a clip from Hollywood actor Bill Murray talking about art. He shared a story about how, on his darkest day, he was saved by a painting in a Chicago gallery that gave him the hope he needed to keep going. We thought we’d ask our listeners if they have had a similar experience…and thus, this episode was born.We received some beautiful stories from our community about how art had saved them too. Songs, painting and, of course, poetry.We share those words with you on the show this week. Thank you to everyone who had gotten in touch, we couldn’t be more thankful.Poems from the show:Ryan’s pickJohn Cooper Clarke - The List https://store.johncooperclarke.com/products/the-luckiest-guy-aliveLeon’s pickPaul Curran - Drive https://youtu.be/5DBYB_VGCUw?is=BuPO3E_7QWtuZOr5Daniel Flynn’s pickDerek Mahon - Everything Is Going To Be Alright https://anthonywilsonpoetry.com/2012/10/06/lifesaving-poems-derek-mahons-everything-is-going-to-be-all-right/Bev Wilder’s pickJames Mooney - Stay https://www.tiktok.com/@thewanderingpaddy/video/7538889678569671959Nicola Clare’s pickJohn O’Donohue - Beannacht/Blessinghttps://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/beannacht-blessing/Laura Kenny’s pickFontaines DC - No https://genius.com/Fontaines-dc-no-lyricsSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

We both have been chewing the Louis Theroux 'Manosphere' documentary around in hour mouths for a few days so it was only natural we spend way too much time this week talking about it. Hopefully we add something to the conversation of the world of vulnerable men being taken advantage of with a few honest appraisals of the shit show itself.We do also have poems! Poetry from Woody Harrelson, John Steinbeck, Colm Connolly (this one's a banger about cheating in your dreams) and Steve Denehan.We also have a track from the upcoming Pat Ingoldsby album celebrating the poetry of a Dublin icon with some of the country's best poets all recording for the release. We also got invited as well which is cool.Enjoy!Ryan and LeonPoems from the podcastWoody Harrelson - Baby Responsehttps://extra.ie/2022/08/06/entertainment/woody-harrelson-irish-babyJohn Steinbeck - Tortilla Flathttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/163977.Tortilla_FlatColm Connolly - Dream Cheaterhttps://www.instagram.com/colmconnolly84Steve Denehan - Impossible Questions From My Daughterhttps://www.stevedenehanpoetry.com/Agony Aunt - PerfumeSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Not sure what was in the water this week, but f*** me do we have some awful language in the podcastWe celebrate the swearers on this week’s podcast, from Jan Brierton reciting her poem ‘Dear Body’ on The Tommy Tiernan show to Charles Bukowski’s dirty-words ridden story about an orgy in Pasadena.We somehow squeeze in a conversation about Russian literature between the effing and jeffing, as well as help someone struggling with finding the energy to write with the help of our returning Agony AuntMusic this week is from Throwing Snow and Daragh Fleming with a world exclusive of their unreleased track ‘The Welfare Of Forgotten Things’.If the kids are listening this week,we can only apologise Poems from the podcast Jan Brierton - Dear Bodyhttps://www.newisland.ie/shop/p/what-day-is-itRyan Duggins - F***https://amzn.eu/d/0i008OlSPhilip Larkin - Home Is So Sadhttps://poets.org/poem/home-so-sadJessie Welles recites Leo Tolstoy on warhttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DSKz4DiDLAB/Charles Bukowski - Notes From A Dirty Old Manhttps://www.penguin.co.uk/books/402924/notes-of-a-dirty-old-man-by-bukowski-charles/9780753513828Music by Throwing Snow and Daragh Fleming https://throwingsnow.bandcamp.com/track/pedalling-feat-daragh-flemingSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

There's not a podcast out there that will cover both Shakespeare and the bliss of receiving a free bowl of chips at an Irish pub, and that is something we will forever be proud of.Back with a banger where we rant about phone addiction, praise the wild ones and simmer into the beauty of words and the power of them.Poetry from Donna Ashworth, Spoken Word from Kate Ireland, we discuss our favourtite books and then we have a powerful reading from Yuri Herrera's 'Signs Preceding The End Of The World' which we know you'll love.Share the podcast, support us on Patreon and enjoy the poems.Ryan and LeonPoems from todayDonna Ashworth - Wildflowerhttps://donnaashworth.com/growing-brave/The Twins - Henry Sambroke Leighhttps://allpoetry.com/poem/8566255-The-Twins-by-Henry-Sambrooke-LeighKate Ireland - Here's To Youhttps://www.kateireland.uk/Leon Dunne - BansheesYuri Herrera - The Snake That Lies In Waithttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21535546-signs-preceding-the-end-of-the-world(Taken from Signs Preceding The End Of The World)Music from The Clockworks - Magnificent Sevenhttps://www.live4ever.uk.com/the-clockworks-single-magnificent-seven/Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

We are back just as the moon is arriving a little later and the garden is whispering to you saying - 'Remember me? - Get that lawn mower!'A little hello from us welcoming you to season 3 of The Poetry's Dead Podcast that returns on Monday and will be with you EVERY Monday in 2026! Imagine! Where are you going to put all the poems?We've missed you, and its great to be back.Ryan and LeonSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Jesus. That year went by fecking quickly, but life tends to slip by when it’s greased up with so many bloody brilliant poems.In our final podcast of the year, we celebrate the winners of our Quillkeeper collaboration that all have won a page in our second anthology that will be out next week! Well done again to DK, Brenna and Katy for bringing absolute fire to us.We have a lovely Christmas poem by JRR Tolkein, a piece about lovers from different worlds by Seán Óg Ó Murchú, a tribute to those we won’t be spending time with this Christmas from Ryan and our agony aunt is back helping someone who needs a hand finding their tribe.As is standard, we share what little we know about all the bloody things those poems bring up including border crimes, how to maintain a relationship with your parents and what problems we think AI will actually solve that isn’t just writing better emails.We’ll be getting the book details locked down this week and hopefully have it available in time for Santa 🎅🏻 As we’ve been saying a lot recently, every person who listens to the show means the absolute world to us. It’s been such a fulfilling year for us, and a lot of that is down to the connections we’ve found through the show so to each and every one of you, a huge thank you and a Merry Christmas.Thanks guys Ryan and LeonPoems from the show Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

We couldn’t start the podcast any other way than with a poem from Sean Watmore of celebration for the Ireland Football Team getting the job done in Hungary. World Cup 2026? COYBIG!We are so thrilled with the amount of poems that were submitted for the book, especially the many amazing submissions we got as part of the competition with Quilkeeper Press. Nicole Zwolinski didn’t get into the top 3 to win, but we wanted to give a special mention to her and read out her poem Stolen Wishes.We talk about the aggressive attacks poet Aoife Dunne has been receiving and discuss what exactly is it that triggers so many men online, and why.A first play too on the podcast for Jamaican dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson as we have a lot of fun with his words and swag. Thanks to Allie Asiri and her book A Poet For Every Day Of The Year for giving us a nudge in his direction.Leon announces a very special guest joining his Rising Tide show at Pearce Street Library with the actor Robert Sheehan taking the stage. We share his short story Funeral on the podcast. Our next show will be the final episode of the year. The podcast has given us so much joy in 2025. We’ve travelled to the UK to perform, we’ve hosted our first culture night event and we even interview a rock star! We have no idea what 2026 will bring us, but we know it’s going to be fucking poetic.Poems from the podcast Sean Watmore - Daring To Dreamhttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DRKVyc5iAsO/A Singing Lesson - Jean Ingelowhttps://www.poetrynook.com/poem/singing-lesson-1Nicole Zwolinski - Stolen Wisheshttps://www.nicolezwolinski.com/aboutRobert Sheehan - FuneralRobert Sheehan - Funeralhttps://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/funeral-a-new-short-story-by-robert-sheehan-1.4704886If I Woz A Tap-Natch Poet - Linton Kwesi Johnson https://poetryarchive.org/poem/if-i-woz-tap-natch-poet/Music from DC Dolls - Countesshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-5Hz1v-ZX8Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Thanks to everyone who has submitted a poem for us for our 2nd volume of The Poetry's Dead Anthology. Submissions are now closed, and we have over 200 poems to read through to bring you a lovely book perfect for Christmas this year.Today's show we have a lot of beautiful poems for you, along with conversations about poetry really can help turn a life around. We talk about phone addiction, how easy it is to slip into crime and how stories can save you.We would really appreciate it if you do like the podcast to do your bit to get the word out. We love hearing from you too so don't be a stranger and get in touch with your poetry stories to [email protected] from the showT.S Elliot - The Love Song of J. Alfred PrufrockRead by Sir Anthony Hopkins with Stephen Colberthttps://www.tiktok.com/@colbertlateshow/video/7567195063692954894Chris Eubank Sr recites Adi Shankara - Song Of The Soul https://www.amritapuri.org/40614/shankaracharya.aumCosta Del Joy (Without The Costa) - Leon Dunne and prisoners of Mountjoy Prison, Dublin https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ4pcj5gCI8/Heather Peteroy - On My Relationship With The Internethttps://www.instagram.com/bettydogood/?hl=enRobert Cullen - Untitled Poemhttps://www.instagram.com/rc1991/?hl=enWilliam Wordsworth - I Wander Lonely As A CloudJane Lightbourne - The Bridgehttps://www.janelightbourne.co.uk/Music by Left Iris - Escitalopramhttps://leftirisband.com/Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

OK fair, we are a few days late, but keep the skeletons out for a bit longer as we bring you our Halloween special!Frankenstein, Dracula, the Rock DJ video where we strips his skin off, we leave no tombstone unturned as we take you to the darkest corners of horror with a few poems in the couldron thrown inThe podcast builds up to Leon reading one of popular culture’s most terrifying short stories ‘The Lottery’ by Shirley Jackson. We’re sorry in advance.We’re current accepting submissions to our second anthology collection so email your poems to [email protected]. Deadline November 14th - 40 lines max per poemEnjoy the podcast…BOO!Ryan and LeonPoems from the showVincent Price - The Thrillerhttps://youtu.be/bfREGjSHD1g?si=S48t7XG88RiOM3hoSuzanne Meehan - Shadyhttps://www.instagram.com/suzie433?igsh=MXNmc3Bsd3A1N2R6dA==Conrad Aiken - The Vampirehttps://poets.org/poem/vampireLeon Dunne - The Hotelhttps://www.instagram.com/nomanticz?igsh=MXRmNnZ0OGtud2ZwNQ==Shirley Jackson - The Lottery https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1948/06/26/the-lotteryMusic by Molly Donnery - Pull Me Underhttps://open.spotify.com/track/6mjgRcLY4Bl76b4bltHk9L?si=tqWGSHz8SjGkEkadf6PR4gSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Join us this week for a special men's mental health podcast in collaboration with Movember. It's not easy out there. Juggling responsibilities, craving rest where there is little time, keeping struggles to yourself. Life can be a very difficult thing to navigate, and today's episode we hope to help with some honest chat interwoven between poems from both established voices and new writers sharing gifts to help through darker days.A special thank you to Daragh Fleming who has created a poetry anthology with Movember where you can find all the poems we share and a heap load more. MO Poems by Movember and Daragh Fleming is available now and all proceeds go to the Movember charity. If you'd like a copy, click the link in our bio or drop us a message.I know we all say its time to talk, but doing that isn't easy. Hopefully this podcast starts a few more conversations from anyone struggling.Ryan and LeonThe Poetry's Dead PodcastPoems from the show:Lee Sheridan - Why Men Have Nippleshttps://www.writing.ie/member-authors/lee-sheridan/Ryan Duggins - Peacehttps://amzn.eu/d/jh45bB2Phil Scully - Other Menhttps://www.instagram.com/philscullyMyla Kortaba - PulseLeon Dunne - This Existencehttps://www.poetryireland.ie/education/writers-directory/leon-dunneJames Mooney - I Was Losthttps://www.instagram.com/the.wanderingpaddy/#Calum Stanley - Echoes Where You Werehttps://www.instagram.com/calum.stanley.art/#Music by Artsipolo - Slow Downhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sX47rSU4FZABuy MO Poems by Daragh Fleming and Movember https://jv5m8a-eq.myshopify.com/products/mo-poems-anthology-volume-1Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

We are paying tribute this week to the late writer and researcher of all things Irish, Manchán Magan who has departed our current world for the next one. We talk about his influence on the recent fire under the belly of Irish culture and share a few pages of his book '99 Words For Rain'.Good news for the artists of Ireland came in the form of the basic income scheme for artists being stamped as permanent. We hear from writers, playwrights and poets on what this news means and the reality of being an artist in Ireland.We've got a load of Irish sayings courtesy of listenter Theresa McCormack, a circle of life poem from Tanaaz about her own Granny and a banger of a poem from Derek Walcott as a reminder to be kinder to ourselves.Our Agony Aunt is back helping someone who has a certain itch to scratch. Filthy carry on, really.Music this week is from Ciaran Lavery who was recently shortlisted for the Northern Ireland Music Prize. Hopefully see a few of you at the Rising Tide event this Wednesday. Ryan and LeonPoems from the showMánchan Magan - 99 Words For Rainhttps://www.easons.com/ninety-nine-words-for-rain-and-one-for-sun-manchan-magan-9781804583340?srsltid=AfmBOoqb6KOMGIik3tc1OAUqANYGgiHJ3iML-zn-Vz0QUicV1sOZRep4Derek Walcott - Love After Lovehttps://allpoetry.com/love-after-loveLeon Dunne - Scars On The LandscapeTanaaz Kothawalla - Mangoes And GrannyInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/poe_tryforme/Agony Aunt - A ManMusic by Ciaran Lavery https://ciaranlaverymusic.com/Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Alright, alright, alright...it was too tempting to type so leave us alone. How else do you expect us to start this podcast description when we're celebrating the poetry of Matthew McConaughey? Exactly. There are many poems we could have shared from his new books 'Poems and Prayers' but we went with Tips Included. Its a 2 hour listen to complete the audiobook, so create some space in your week and listen to his new book on Spotify asap.After a week in Benalmadena, Ryan came home to Ireland gasping for a bit of Irish craic and, as fate would have it, that is exactly the subject of Irish Times columnist Brianna Parkins' column in the weekend edition that we picked up on arrival home, so we share her piece.We have poetry from Norma Gill about believing in the future when grief arrives, a poem about a lesbian date that came with an unexpected twist and we also have our first ever trilingual poem!Thanks for everyone's support. We would love to see the show expand so if you do like the show, please do review, like and tell your mates.Yup poetryRyan and LeonPoems from the podcastTips Included - Matthew McConaughey https://greenlights.com/Brianna Parkins - Good chat? Only when you leave Ireland, you realise it isn't universal - Irish Times Weekend Magazine Column - 27th September 2025https://www.irishtimes.com/tags/brianna-parkins/Norma Gill - The Rocky Patchhttps://www.instagram.com/_words_to_soothe_/?hl=enOla Majekodunmi - On Her Own Termshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn9iQ_9lWi8Hannah Porter - Lesbian Vanhttps://www.instagram.com/hannahkatep_/Agony Aunt - Thought InvaderMusic from Ben Reid - The Risen Peoplehttps://www.tiktok.com/@benreid___/video/7554574732532649218Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

We have a chonky boy of an episode for you this week!Due to the magical powers of our sound man, the wonderful Finn O'Reilly (@finnreuben), we present to you our Culture Night episode recorded live at The LAB in Dublin. This episode is an absolute banger, where we cover everything from poetry, comedy, storytelling and music ( interpretive dance doesn't transfer over to audio very well sadly).  First up we have the amazing Aoife Dunne (@aoife_is-never_dunne) who opens up our show and not only has our audience in fits of laughter, but also strums on the heartstrings with her personally reflective poetry. Ryan is in then for a post-performance chat with Aoife about all things writing. Next up the Corkonian Bard that is Daragh Fleming (@daraghfleming) speaks of the dark side of masculinity and how he plans to raise the baddest men on the planet (by making them be sound). Leon swoops in after for a sophisticated chat about Daragh's writing process. Third up the amazing Eve (@allthingsevemusic) serenades us with her incredible lyrics and powerful voice. Leon chats with Eve about what it's like writing in a different language. The last of our fantastic performers- Danni Culllen (@dannicullen_gypsy_soul) lures you into the ancient art of storytelling with a tale from the myths of Irish folklore. Ryan is up after to chat about where one can go to learn such a craft.Finally to wrap up the show, we have several audience members grace the stage with some amazing poetry that they wrote on the night! It was amazing to hear such incredible pieces that were made up on the hoof. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you to everyone who contributed xSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

We don't agree with CMAT, even though we love her. We think Larkin would have been her biggest fan.Not yet discussed on the podcast, we share Aubade one of Larkin's masterpieces.We then talk about that ability of turning the mundane into art a lot on today's show. We also talk about men, and the value of the stories of men. We also talk about the almost zero value in male advice without a story.Leon reads out a piece from Ernest Hemingway that hammers home the violence and devastating manipulation of man, before we take a look at the many different stories of the people who are claiming welfare with the help of playwright Graham Donlon.A beauty of a track from Eve wraps up this week's show. Hope you enjoy it! Stay away from men who advise!Poems from the showCraig Doyle - The Last Smokehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gf3ZMtOKF5wPhilip Larkin - Aubadehttps://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/48422/aubade-56d229a6e2f07Ernest Hemingway - Hills Like White Elephantshttps://anthologydev.lib.virginia.edu/work/Hemingway/hemingway-hillsGraham Donlon - A plastic floor tile one point five metres from the post office counterInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/sbt_quiz/?hl=enMusic by Eve - June MoonSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

The President of ireland has a spoken word albumLet us do that one more time for you.The President of Ireland has a spoken word album. What a sentence, and you know what, it’s a brilliant piece of work. We discuss the release with chairman of Claddagh Records James Morrissey about the release, spoken word in Ireland and how the project came to be. If you were at the live podcast of Keep It Light with Deidre O’Kane and Emma Doran at Electric Picnic, you’d have also heard the presidents voice. Well, it was a good impression at least by Lee Sheridan who took to the stage after the conversation between the comedians turned to poetry and that no one can recite a poem off the cuff…or so they thought We also catch up on our own EP weekend, share the bad poems we forced festival goers to write for us and wrap up the show with Luke Clerkin who was brilliant in his set on the Sunday. Thanks to all our new followers after James Mooney took one of Ryan’s poems and turned it into something special last week. Stick around and get some poems into ya!Ryan and LeonSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

This podcast is an absolute must listen if you were lucky enough to be at the Oasis concert last weekend at Croke Park. Leon was there, and spends a lot of this podcast gushing over Liam and Noel Gallagher, which we should all be here for.We look then to the Glastonbury of Ireland, Electric Picnic which kicks off August 29th. We take the best poetry of the festival and give you a peak into what is coming at The Word stage this year. We also have Jan Brierton on, sharing the schedule for the Manifesto stage which includes Roisin Ingle and Rosie O'Donnell. Crazy.Thanks again to everyone new to the podcast. If you like the show, we'd really appreciate you shouting about it, both offline and online ideally!Roll on the picnicRyan and LeonPoetry from todayNoel Gallagher and John Cooper Clarke - Beasley Streethttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37QUUwp9xIsDave Hynes - Motley Crewhttps://www.poetryireland.ie/education/writers-directory/david-hynesHollie Hughes - Stop The Feelinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z95NleyqPgKate Dempsey - Mashhttps://www.doirepress.com/writers/kate-dempseyNiamh Bagnell - Useless Thingshttps://stingingfly.org/author/niamh-bagnell/The Poet Geoff - January 1919https://www.broadsheet.ie/2019/01/21/january-1919/Dom Byrne - Working Hard Or Hardly Workinghttps://www.instagram.com/dombyrnepoetry1Music from Blue Lilac - Let In The New Lighthttps://open.spotify.com/track/6wSTXMsswjz7uZoqdcWPvI?si=907482daf8d540dbSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

On today's pod, we celebrate the release of the second album from For Those I Love, as well as hearing Olivia Rodgrido’s advice about poetry being the foundation for all songwriting, which we’d be on board with.We also dive into the work of Nikita Gill the hidden-in-Instagram-captions genius poetry from Teyindhi Ramsewak and talk about Alice Kinsella’s new collection ‘The Ethics of Cats’We also share a powerful and completely unique poem about Joan Of Arc by Pip McGough that’ll get your blood pumping before we help a listener problem with our agony aunt section all about feeling misunderstood.Great to be back and thanks to everyone who listened to last week’s return of the podcast.In the words of David, go enjoy that good dryingRyan and LeonPoems from the showAlice Kinsella - The Walkouthttps://www.rte.ie/culture/2025/0704/1521257-the-ethics-of-cats-alice-kinsellas-new-poems/Nikita Gill - If You Asked Me How To Live Foreverhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7757886.Nikita_GillPip McGough - Joan DeluxInstagram - @manifest_gothicTenidhi Ramsewak - If I Leave The HouseInstagram - @syllabic_nomadDavid Balfe - Of The Sorrowshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp-f6cG6rcoSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Difficult third series? F*** that! We missed you guys and are delighted to return to your moistened ears as you go on your jog around the park that you hate to help you through another 5k.Or whatever you're up to listening to us, we're very bloody grateful.We have had a lovely few months off, so lots to fill you in on. From poems in English village pubs to bopping to The Fleadh.As for poems, we've both been writing a ton so have some poems to share, as well as poems from the competition winners for our prompts. A huge congrats again to Joe and Hayley for winning a place in our second anthology that will be out this Christmas, absolutely deserved.Our agony aunt is back, helping someone who needs a little career advice.We'll be back until December, so get used to us keeping you company for a while :)Ryan and LeonPoems from the show:Andy Porter - Unsuitable Activity For PoetsNeighbour's Got a New Hot Tub: Amazon.co.uk: Porter, Andy: 9798280992061: BooksPassage from The Bell Jar by Sylvia PlathThe Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath | GoodreadsRyan Duggins - Men In Group Chats After Diogo Jota DiedRyan Duggins (@ryanduggins) • Instagram photos and videosLeon Dunne - lámhLeon Dunne (@nomanticz) • Instagram photos and videosHayley Louise McDonnell - All Roads Lead To The Quiethttps://www.instagram.com/hayleylouisepoetry?igsh=MWxld2k1NHVrajJtOA==Joe Spivey - The Step Joe Spivey | SubstackBarbagianni - Out Of My Head feat. Katie Ryanhttps://open.spotify.com/track/0KZ71kIJcZtESD032yU3iT?si=1f5b80c3eedc47f0Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Our last podcast was our 50th show lads. 50! Mad.On Monday, we have a load of poems and stories for, starting with some info about our live podcast at Swords Castle next Saturday with Wavin Words where there’s also a young poets slam for anyone between 14-18 years of age. If you know of a future world champion slam poet, bring them.Speaking of being inspired by young people, thanks to Katriona O'Sullivan sharing a post a few weeks back, we have poetry from Reece, who penned a powerful poem about the pre-conceptions he faces from the reputation of where he’s from.We were incredibly moved and got in touch with his teacher Nadine  who sent us the story of the poem's creation and what it’s like to teach poetry in schools. She also pushed Reece to recite the poem for us, incredible.We have poems from Clonakilty’s own James Harpur, Dara Clear from @theclearoutpodcast and music from Derry’s own ‘James-Arthur-but-better’ Conor McLain @cmclainmusicCongrats Conor on killing it at Whelans last night and best of luck on the rest of your tour Hope to see you at Swords Castle for our live podcast!Poems from the showDara Clear - Timehttps://shows.acast.com/theclearoutReece - LabelledJames Harpur - Poemhttps://eblanapress.com/Fritz Von Ostini - We Snort And We Injecthttps://www.newstatesman.com/culture/2016/11/nazis-drugs-how-kick-crystal-meth-powered-blitzkriegMusic from Conor McLain - Adored By Youhttps://open.spotify.com/track/1DHTO5w62FnC6jx1zirAwCSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

We’re back not with a bang lads, but a SLAM!We were at the International Literature Festival Dublin this week as Leon hosted this year’s Slamovision with @rising.tide.eventsThe place was packed, and the performances on the night were insane. A night where artists stepped up one-after-another to tell stories that need to be told from voices that needed to be heard.We were able to grab a chat with the winner Cat Brogan @cat.brogan who shivered with us and had a chin wag about poetry and life on the border.We chat to Daragh Fleming, Sheila Ryder, Matteo from Arts Bubbles, Julie from the team at @dublins.finest Nicola Clare and Jenny Fagan too in a dash for the chats before we all were kicked out.Someone we hadn’t heard poetry from before was Megan Atkinson  who has kindly given us the poem she made the final with to share with you lot on the podcast.We also have a banger of a poem from Colm Keegan @colm_keegan as he sets out on tour with Erin Fornoff next week. Dates and venues below:        Thursday, 29th May – Droichead Arts Centre, Drogheda Drogheda EBT         Guest poet: Tom French Guest musician: Farah Elle Friday, 30th May – Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Kildare Kildare EBT Guest poet: Liz Quirke | Guest musician: Fiach MoriartyThursday, 5th June – Ramor Arts Centre, Virginia, Cavan Cavan EBT Guest poet: Noel Monaghan | Guest musician: Jinx LennonFriday, 6th June – Backstage Theatre, Longford Longford EBT Guest poet: Darragh Coady | Guest musician: Dion MercurySaturday, 7th June – Roscommon Arts Centre, Roscommon Roscommon EBT Guest poet: Louise G Cole | Guest musician: Bianca FachelThe song on the post is from Aaron Rowe with his new release Hey Ma. An inspiring artist who has worked his balls off gigging around the country and now has this incredible tune which we are delighted to share. Yup poetryRyan and LeonSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Tristram Fane Saunders, Poetry In Liverpool And The Hillsborough DisasterThis week, we look back on our incredible weekend in Liverpool hosted by Rachel and Hayley at Giz A Word (Instagram @gizaword.collective) where we met some of the city’s creatives and got a taste of what Liverpool is all about. Spoiler: Karaoke and non-stop craic Instagram handles of the lovely folk in question:@racheywilts @twistedtales.hlg19 @sketchedbyneve @garyharperart @body_confidence22 @petesartpage On a walk through the city, we stumbled on the Hillsborough memorial, which had carved into stone a poem by the late David Charters, who worked for the Liverpool Echo as well as offering poetry to the world. We talk about that awful day in 1989 and share the poem.We also invited Tristram Fane Saunders onto the podcast this week where we discuss his collection ‘Before We Go Any Further’, his residency at Cambridge and seeing poetry as a friend.We have a poetry too from Colin Anderson about the young men going to war, and a banger of a track from Roo Elizabeth with her song ‘Bad Dream’IThanks to everyone for listening to our ‘Understanding Masculinity Through Poetry’ episode, it’s set to be our most popular podcast so far so thank you. If you haven’t listened, then do. Yup poetry!Ryan and LeonSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Understanding Masculinity Through PoetryWell, we give it a go anyway and thank the fecking lord we have poetry to help us. We’re share a piece from ourselves as well as work from Simon Armitage, Ursula Walshe and Hayley Gordon Want to say a massive thank you to everyone we met in Liverpool this weekend. Everyone was so sound, what a night the Giz A Word girls Hayley and Rachel run.Enjoy the podcast and have a whopper Bank Holiday!Poems from the pod:Simon Armitage - I Am Very Botheredhttps://www.poetrynook.com/poem/i-am-very-botheredHayley Gordon - Homehttps://www.instagram.com/twistedtales.hlg19/Ursula Walshe - The Forgotten Graffiti Of Adolescent Masculinity Ryan Duggins - Do Not Judge The Man Reading Jordan Peterson On A Bushttps://www.instagram.com/ryanduggins/reels/Leon Dunne - Let’s Talk About Masculinity https://www.poetryireland.ie/education/writers-directory/leon-dunneMusic from Lisa Knapp And Gerry Diverhttps://www.lisaknapp.co.uk/Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

We have pretty much everything covered this week.We read a note from Albert Camus, a poem written by Easter Rising leader Padraig Pearse about his mother and we have issues pronouncing Hercule PoirotLots of beautiful poems are snuck between those bits, but a special highlight is hearing from Jameson Newell.An American trans man living in Ireland, Jameson opens up on what it’s like living and existing since the trans rights of Americans were revoked this year. Thank you Jameson for sharing your story and poetryWe have belters about a coat pocket, the Irish abortion vote in 2018 and we hear from Agatha Christie who is helping us fill in for the agony aunt this weekPoems from the podcastAlbert Camus - Poem from his notebook (1951-1959)https://www.easons.com/personal-writings-albert-camus-9780241400272?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5azABhD1ARIsAA0WFUH7T2RwXic2ESxlHRvJnWdMbenygRwhMNXQb8gj5BlNOoGVHeWGo2EaAlioEALw_wcBPadraig Pearse - The Motherhttps://www.independent.ie/irish-news/rising-poems-the-mother-by-patrick-pearse/34382053.htmlRobbie Hood - Catholic Cityhttps://www.instagram.com/robbie_hood_poetry?igsh=MXRyd2NienRtbHVzYw==Jameson Newell - Dandelions https://www.instagram.com/fuckingaguys?igsh=MTZhZXc0YTk0OTRiZA==Faye Elizabeth Marshall - St Patricks Day Parade 2019https://www.instagram.com/fayeelizabethmarshall?igsh=em42Y3M5dWx6bHhhAgatha Christie - untitled https://www.agathachristie.com/en/stories/poemsMusic from Craig Gallagher - Lonely Eyeshttps://open.spotify.com/track/3QjrNYKDMQmPrY5O4QLkO9?si=1W2QdqHuR-usgj4Q3824owSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

A very special podcast this week as we invite Luain Press's Lee Sheridan to discuss his brand new anthology collection Luaina!We were delighted ourselves to be involved in the collection, not just because being published is good craic, but we are alongside some of Ireland's most talented spoken word performers and artists.After Lee attended the book launch of Sean Watmore's debut poetry book, he was inspired by the Dublin poetry scene and the collection of minds and artists in the room supporting Watmore. He took that energy and brought it to print, with a new book available now that is heaving with talent from the Island.You can grab your copy here - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F13JJJ7GPoets from the podcast:Daragh Fleming - Barry’s Tea From Francehttps://thoughtstoobig.ie/daraghfleming/Anna D - State Of The Nationhttps://www.poetryireland.ie/education/writers-directory/anna-doranAnnie Peter - Fairy Taleshttps://www.poetryireland.ie/education/writers-directory/annie-peterChristina Hennemann - Acornhttps://www.christinahennemann.com/David Hynes - Other Kinhttps://www.instagram.com/hynestein1/Mikey Cullen - Plato’s Ravehttps://www.instagram.com/mikey___cullen/?hl=enJess Flood - Storm 27https://www.instagram.com/jflooders/?hl=enSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

We go missing a week and we give you over an hours worth of bleeding poetry!We did go on a bit today, but crammed into the corners of our nonsense waffle are poems that will bring us all down to earth a little and focus on what is bloody important in our lives! Thank f*** for poetry!Kate Ireland's spoken word masterclass on sitting with her Granny kicks off the show this week. Be warned: you will get shivers.Leon had been at the helm of the Dublin Is Tallaght event this week at the Civic Theatre, so as a treat for anyone who wasn't able to make it, we have recording from two of the performers from the night: Jan Brierton and Sheila RyderDublin City Libraries, in collaboration with The Stinging Fly, have published a book dedicated to the city of Dublin. We share an essay from the collection from FELISPEAKS called 'Dublin: A Poet's View'. Brilliant stuff.We also have a giggle with Jonathan Roth, a helping hand from Tania Winther and our agony aunt is all about someone who wrote a play and can't get the actors to turn up on time for rehersal!Enjoy ladsRyan and LeonPoems from the showKate Ireland - My Gran Is A Revolutionaryhttps://www.instagram.com/kate.ireland__Jonathan Roth - The Doc Yellow Cardhttps://www.jonathanrothpublications.com/Sheila Ryder - Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night (rewrite)https://sheilaryder.com/Felispeaks - Dublin, A Poet's Viewhttps://www.instagram.com/felispeaksJan Brierton - Being Irishhttps://www.newisland.ie/jan-briertonTania Winther - Pushing Against Airhttps://atelierwinther.no/Agony Aunt - Act 1Music was Punch Drunk by Barbagiannihttps://www.instagram.com/barbagiannimusic/Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Bloody hell do we have jam packed podcast for you this week guys.We have a love story to kick things off that happened at Mulligans pub on Poolbeg Street that ended at The Cobblestone where a woman from Peru had lost a poem gifted to her by a Welsh traveller. Just when you thought Ireland couldn't get any more fecking romantic!We share the essay published by The New York Times that moved actor Andrew Garfield to tears, how Moai from Moana can be a useful inspiration for depression and share a poem about the magic of rivers.A podcast first too as we are delighted to share our first poetry from someone from the disability community with the poem Guinea Pig by Daniel Kay (DK) before we have Dublin singer-songwriter Miranda Faul wrap up the show.If you'd like to support the podcast, head over to our Patreon on the link at the bottom of the show notes. By joining, you also get an exclusive monthly podcast where we pick a collection to read every month. Get on it!Peace and loveRyan and LeonPoems from the podcastRhys and Steve - Cobblestone Pub, Dublinhttps://www.instagram.com/cobblestonepubdublinChris Huntington - Learning To Measure Time In Love And Losshttps://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/29/fashion/learning-to-measure-time-in-love-and-loss.htmlKristen Jewel - Moaihttps://www.kristenjewel-writing.com/aboutRebecca Salazar - River Skinhttps://www.writerstrust.com/authors/rebecca-salazar/Daniel Kay - Guinea Pighttps://www.accessabilityarts.co.uk/Music by Miranda Faulhttps://www.instagram.com/miranda_faul/Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Inspired by our conversation with Mike Garry about musicians writing poetry, we wanted to dedicate this episode to our favourite artists who also enjoy a poem or too.Leon owns a copy of  'The Lords And The New Creatures' by The Door's frontman Jim Morrison, his only poetry collection so we had to talk about him, his mad blood-drinking, pagan mentalness as well as share a poem from him.We take a look at a poem by Leonard Cohen taken from his collection 'The Flame' published in 2018 with thanks to his son, Adam Cohen. Spoiler: Leonard Cohen is funnier than you think.We talk about Patti Smith and her gift of painting pictures of global conflicts, delve into Bob Dylan's moodiness and strip back Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell to prove that most of her songs would have stood the test of time in poetry form without the music, even if we're glad there's music.Our agony aunt's job this week was to help someone struggling with the state of her country. Not one for Conor McGregor fans from the agony aunt this week.We wrap up the show with a beauty of a track from Caoimhe Weakliam with her song 'Hiding'Enjoy!Poems from the showLeonard Cohen - Thanks For The Dancehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVsYz5rB8BwBob Dylan - Untitled poem https://www.hotpress.com/opinion/world-exclusive-the-early-poems-that-set-bob-dylan-on-the-road-to-a-nobel-prize-in-literature-22901386Patti Smith - The Writer's Songhttps://thedewdrop.org/2019/08/28/it-is-better-to-write-then-die-patti-smith/Jim Morrisson - Poem from The Lord and The New Creatureshttps://jimmorrison.com/Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Nowhttps://jonimitchell.com/music/song.cfm?id=83Agony Aunt - Love Letter To My CountryCaoimhe Weakliam - Hidinghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXciU7C9RF8Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

We have the honour and privelege to bring you to a very special conversation.Mike Garry is a Manchester poet who's stories and perspectives on life will give you the inspiration you didn't know you needed to live your days to the fullest.We chat to Mike about his upcoming tour around Ireland, the power of reading for the disadvantaged and his ability to speak everyone's language in a way they haven't heard before.Alongside our chat, we discuss Wu-Tang Clan's RZA on the Stephen Colbert show and we have an unreleased track from electronic dance duo Le Boom.Dates for Mike's tour are below so catch him and the Cassia String Quartet this May!Pearse St Library, DublinWednesday 14th May 2025Crane Lane Theatre, CorkThursday 15th May 2025Levis Corner House, BallydehobFriday 16th May 2025Seamus Heaney, Homplace, BellaghySaturday 17th May 2025Workmans Club, DublinMonday 19th May 2025Get your tickets by clicking this link https://www.mikegarry.co.uk/gigs/Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

A special episode from Poetry's Dead HQ this week as we celebrate the life and work of Dublin's poetic voice, Pat IngoldsbyWe sit and listen to our beautiful community of poetry heads who share their favourite poems of Pat with us so we can share them with you.We hope this podcast does him justice and people can always come back to this show if they are looking for some warmth, a giggle and a cry all in the same hourPat, we were always big fans and thank you for being the lighter voice we need in a world less cheery with you goneThanks to Michelle Bossonnett, Danni Cullen, Sean Watmore, Ben MacCaoilte and Steven O'Toole for helping us put this together.Thanks to everyone who listens, and Pat, take it handyRyan and LeonSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

We're feeling the spring in our step lads as the days are getting a little longer, and the poems just keep bleedin' coming!After Brendan Behan's book Confessions Of An Irish Rebel kept Ryan company on a solo trip to Belfast this week, we share a few stories and a tear-jerker poem from a man that we'd all love to share a pint with.We asked the Dublin Central Library guys if they have any books from Paula Meehan, and they handed us Pillow Talk and we found a beauty all about the changing perspectives we have when we look at our elders.We have a poem from Beibhinn Thorsch who just released her debut collection 'Libran Liturgy', then we delve into the gay clubs of Dublin where a woman pines and yearns to be able to love her gay best friend, but horses for courses don't allow. A story that goes back to the start of time.Our Agony Aunt is back and is helping a member of the corporate workforce who would love a few days working from home.Enjoy, send it to an EX and keep it poppingPoems from the showBrendan Behan - The Laughing Boyhttps://poetscorner.blog/2019/03/20/the-laughing-boy/Paula Meehan - My Father Perceived As A Vision Of Saint Francishttps://www.poemhunter.com/poem/my-father-perceived-as-a-vision-of-st-francis/Beibhinn Thorsch - Love With ConjunctionsInstagram - @beibhinnthorschTess McKevitt - I Want A Lavender Marriagehttps://www.tessmckevitt.com/Agony Aunt - Home Office PleaSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

As we vacate Ryan's apartment, we christen our first podcast at Dublin Central Library with Dublin spoken word artist Emmet O'Brien.We go all around the houses with this podcast, getting into the weeds of childhood, the battles of being a creative from a working class area how it feels to perform in front of a pond full of fairies.We share work from Brummy Bradley Taylor, a belter from Saul Williams and both Ryan and Leon chip in with their own bits and pieces. Emmet will be playing at The Workman's Club, Dublin on May 5th so don't miss it. He'll be joined by Jan Brierton, Mikey Cullen, Eilean Ni Chuillinean and other special guests.Tickets here - https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/the-27-club-tour-dublin-tickets-1219669677839Support the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

We always knew deep down that Pamela Anderson was a poet, sure why did you think we had her on our walls?OK worth a try, and we're as surprised as you are that we are kicking the show off this week with not one but TWO poems from Pamela, which if we didn't know, could easily be the work of Albert Camus. I know, but listen to the podcast and see for yourself.We have a beautiful story of Michelle White who, 40 years after her mother's death, has started to share her late mom's work to continue the legacy on. Sharron White's poem 'If Houses Could Talk' is one of many we could have shared.Al Capone wouldn't be on top of many lists of inspiring men, but Alice Rhodes tells us why she has him guiding her through life and gives us a poem about him to boot. Interesting.We also have a romance poem taken from a school poetry competition that almost retires us both from writing, before we wrap up with the magical John Cummins and a musical performance to blow you away.Like, review, tell your mates down the pub and thanks for listening.Poems from the show:Pamela Anderson - Poems from her memoir 'Love, Pamela'https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/lovepamelaAlice Rhodes - Merciless ManInstagram - @alicesliterarylifeSharron White - If Houses Could TalkInstagram - @mymomspoetryStudent from Ellenfield, Whitehall - Love Will Never Last John Cummins - Project At Lingo Festivalhttps://www.othervoices.ie/artists/john-cumminsSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Jesus wept its been way too long lads, but we're back at you with poems, craic, probably lies about Irish history and loads of other bits and pieces to help you start the week off poetically.The community lost one its most powerful voices in January with the loss of Belfast poet Michael Longley. Known for his work helping paint pictures of peace in Northern Ireland, we shine a light on his poetry on our first episode back.We have a lovely spring poem from Sinead Byrne Canning to shake off the cobwebs, a piece by Steve Denehan about Vending machines, but as you'll see, its definitely about more than vending machines even if the poem itself is called 'Vending Machines' and, as expected, a folklore story from Leon that we urge you not to fact checkThe agony aunt is all about what to do when who you have a crush on only fancies you when he's battered (tough call) and the show is wrapped up by Anne Waldman and a song from her brand new LP 'Your Devotee In Rags'. The track is called Hag, and its a belter.Our read-along is also back this month with The Winding Stair so if you need a push to get back into reading, sign up to the Patreon on the link belowPoems from the showTime - Sinead Byrne Canning (Instagram - @sineadbyrnecanning)The Ice Cream Man - Michael Longley https://www.rte.ie/news/ulster/2025/0201/1494193-michael-longley-funeral/Vending Machine - Steve Denehan https://www.stevedenehanpoetry.com/Bird - John Murphy https://www.poetryireland.ie/publications/poetry-ireland-review/online-archive/view/birdHag - Anne Waldman and Andrew Whitemanhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieCIwaDJ8ncSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Spring is returning after a brutal winter and so are the poems!Whilst the storms and dry January pushed most the population to hide indoors and wait for a bit of sunshine to come after 5pm, we were training hard on bringing back the show with a little glow-up.We have the full show coming back on Monday 10th February, but enjoy our little teaser episode with a few poems from the lads to ease us back in.We have Ryan's tribute poem to the Netflix hit show Queer Eye and Leon's love letter to the humble and magical Chicken Fillet Roll will either get you pumped for the new series, or at the very least, get you to the deli counterLike, share, tell your mates, ask your Ma' to listen and join us this year for weekly bangers from poets from the past and presentPoems from the showRyan Duggins - Why Queer Eye Makes Me CryLeon Dunne - Chicken Fillet RollSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Our last episode of the year is busier than the traffic getting to Dublin Airport at ChristmasAfter Daragh Fleming welcomes us in with a vibe-setting poem about longing and love, we step in to a whopper episode that leaves no Christmas cracker unopened, at a time of year where poetry can help us navigate the tricky waters of the festive season.We hear from Ramona, the front of office at Ryan's work, on her new found exploration into poetry in an inspiring story of how getting creative can change your life. Aoife Dunne then gives us her beautiful tribute to her late mother in a poem that we hope will help anyone who is preparing for the festive period knowing there are tough days ahead.James Mooney, AKA The Wandering Paddy, gives his caramel gravel-voice a break and sends us a poem to recite about how grief isn't always about the breakdowns, but can be nudges too.Donna Ashworth, fresh from her performance at Jan Brierton's 'Wild Words' gig shares a poem of hope with her piece 'Joy Finds You'. What a woman, and what a poem.Leon was asked by Dublin City Council to create a poem to celebrate the opening of a new art space that sits in the former location of Stardust Nightclub. A tragic evening in 1981 left families without their loved ones as a fire broke out and killed 48 people inside. Leon's poem is a tribute to the victims of that night.Ger Devine opens the curtain on what its like for a couple who have been around the block on Christmas Eve before our Agony Aunt wraps up the show with a poem to help someone going through the despair of turning 30.Thank you to everyone for listening this year and being so sound. We'll be back in Spring 2025 with a new series and even more amazing poetry.Our new book is available now so grab a copy:https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DNY54SFCLoves ya,Ryan and LeonPoems from the showDaragh Fleming - Snowflakes At Christmashttps://thoughtstoobig.ie/daraghfleming/Aoife Dunne - Untitled tribute to her motherhttps://www.tiktok.com/discover/aoife-dunne-comedianJames Mooney - I Missed You, Quietly https://www.tiktok.com/@thewanderingpaddyDonna Ashworth - Joy Chose Youhttps://donnaashworth.com/Leon Dunne - More Than A Namehttps://www.irishtimes.com/culture/art/2024/12/08/stardust-reimagined-its-time-for-other-people-to-fulfil-their-dreams-here-what-our-loved-ones-never-got-to-do/Ger Devine - Pinholeshttps://www.gerarddevinepoetry.com/Agony Aunt - Flirty ThirtySupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

We don't usually say this, but for this week, stay until the end.This week, inspired by the news that Wayne Rooney writes poetry, we have a dig around to see who else that plays sport has penned a piece or two. We bring to you Alan Shearer with his poem Ambition. On a meander around Baldoyle, Leon stumbles upon a poem painted on a pillar from Pat Boran about birds. Really nice.We are thrown into the world of lockdown hot tubs with Andy Porter and ask the question 'If your Ma buys one, does that make you posh?'Jenny Fagan helps us out of one of those days where you just can't face the world with her mental health poem that won us over a few months ago when we asked out listeners for some help on women's mental struggles.We give you a sneak peak into our Patreon read-along with a poem from Ada Limón who we are reading this month. Her poem is called 'How To Triumph Like A Girl'We close with the story of Nikita Hand, told through poetry by Roxanna Nic Liam that celebrates the bravery of Nikita and the women of Ireland that stand with her. Just a belter of a piece and an important one we're delighted to share.We have our book released this week so if you'd like a copy, drop us a DM at @thepoetrysdeadpodcast or email us at [email protected] and LeonPoems from the show:Alan Shearer - Ambitionhttps://www.youtube.com/@therestisfootballPat Boran - Hedge Schoolhttps://patboran.com/hedge-school/Jenny Fagan - The Deep DarkiesInstagram - @passive_poetryAndy Porter - Neighbour's Got A New Hot TubTikTok - andyspanglesAda Limon - How To Triumph Like A Girlhttps://poets.org/poem/how-triumph-girlRoxanna Nic Liam - NikitaInstagram - @nicliamoSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

We're prowling the catwalk this week with poems to have you struttin'After we take sympathy on Keanu Reaves having his poem butchered by a simpleton, we take you into the world of fashion with Molly May O'Leary, the designated poet of the Dublin Independent Fashion Week, as she paints her words around the fabric/s of the capital.We make a very short hop then to Christine Anne Foley, author of Bodies, fashionista and savage poet. We share one of her bangers this week about the reality of womanhood, you'll love it.Like everyone else on TikTok, we see a ton of philosophical posts from something called 'Rumi'? What is it? Who is it? We wanted to find out. If you're reading this and thinking 'Wait, they don't know who Rumi is?' then yes, we have convinced you we are smarter than we are.Inspired by last week's poem by Rachel Mulqueen, Ryan puts pen to paper and welcomes you into 'The Friend Zone'. Tea or Pinot, the choice is yours.Our Agony Aunt this week forces her to channel her own Jennifer Paige with a problem all about having a 'crush'.The Poetry's Dead Anthology will be available on Amazon from December 1st, so keep your eyes peeled.Poems from the show:Keanu Reeves - Ode To Happinesshttps://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-13838742Molly Mae O'Leary - Dublin Independent Fashion WeekInstagram - @mollymayinstaChristine Anne Foley - Your Clothes Are Pinkhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199616883-bodiesRumi - The Guest Househttps://allpoetry.com/poem/8534703-The-Guest-House-by-Mewlana-Jalaluddin-RumiRyan Duggins - The Friend ZoneInstagram - @ryandugginsAgont Aunt - InvisibleSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

Mass is in session this week on the podcast with banger poems replacing hymns.Now we've both watched and essentially been shook by the movie Small Things Like These, we get into why that movie hits so hard and wind poetry around the experience of the film to help us understand how to navigate that tricky world of church and religion in Ireland.Before that, as Leon had spent 24 hours in Sligo and Ryan had been watching the show 'Rivals' where rough and ready Declan O'Hara enjoys reciting poetry from WB Yeats, we thought we'd share a poem from him, recited by Cillian Murphy. We get into the history of the Irish church and box that off with a poem written by Leon. Warning: This isn't a light one.It's not all bad with the church in Ireland so we try and add meat to that bone with the poem 'Solitude' by Ella Wheeler Wilcox. Hopefully that helps as we navigate the blessings and historical curses around religion in Ireland.Nate Gladdin from the Whiskey And Ink podcast gave us a belter of a poem that takes us right into a world where a town used to be something and isn't now. Apologies for any County Clare folk but we dig out the town Tulla in this chat, don't hate us.One of the highlights of the year we've had living and breathing poems was seeing Rachel Mulqueen perform at the storytelling tent Seanchoíche. We share her poem and tribute to her male friends 'A Belated Thank You To My Boy Friends (remix)' a reboot and homage to Hollie McNish's poem of the same (ish) name. Lovely piece.We received an Agony Aunt all about longing love and missed opportunities so enjoy that one.If you'd like to join our second read-along, sign up to our patreon and get involved. We have teamed up with The Winding Stair Bookshop for the read-along with the team there picking the collections moving forward and giving us a discount on the books if you buy from them. Means we can join the excitement of not knowing what we're reading, savage. Let us pray. Amen. Blessed be the fruit and all the other stuff they say in church. Ryan and LeonPoems from the showWB Yeats - When You Are Old (read by Cillian Murphy)https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43283/when-you-are-oldLeon Dunne - Raimcha na blathnanaInstagram - @nomanticzElla Wheeler Wilcox - Solitudehttps://www.poemhunter.com/poem/solitude/Nate Gladdin - French Valleyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/4nNbc0ImIHdGjYpmQOcS1JRachel Mulqueen - A Belated Thank You To My Boys (remix)Instagram - @rach_mulqueenPatreon for read-along:https://www.patreon.com/c/thepoetrysdeadpodcastSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

If you're here for the cheese addict, stay 'til the end ;)And if you do, your heart and soul will be filled with a myriad of hopeful poems to bring you through the change in weather as you sniffle your way through the start of winter. We shine a light on men's mental health on the show this week, starting with the Movember campaign that poet Daragh Fleming is an ambassador for. Every day this month he's been sharing poems to raise awareness on men's mental health, and he shares one of his favourites on the podcast.Playright David Gilna gives us one of his belters about youthful friendship and bonds with his poem 'The Boys From The Jacko'. Yup Swords IYKYK.Barry Currivan, a Dublin poetry scene favourite, gives us a poem from his upcoming collection 'If Not If, What' all about staying young at heart.We share a piece from Belfast poet Paul Muldoon after our trusted source Suzanne Meehan recommended we have a read of his work before Ryan shares his poem about the unfortunate side effect of falling in love through his piece 'He Let Himself Go'.Our agony aunt this week comes from someone who is suffering from a lack of restraint when it comes to Gouda. Not really a problem, just a supported hobby in our eyesPoems from the show:Stephen Downey - Man Of The HouseInstagram - @stephendowneyDavid Gilna - The Boys From The Jackohttps://www.amazon.co.uk/24-Hours-Day-David-Gilna/dp/1915502918Barry Currivan - We Make Things OldInstagram - @barry_currivanPaul Muldoon - The Loafhttps://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47992/the-loafRyan Duggins - He Let Himself GoInstagram - @ryandugginsAgony Aunt - The Dairy DilemnaSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

The title is as wide ranging as show this week guys but stick with us!Over 1 million people were on the streets of Dublin last weekend to support the runners taking on the city's marathon, and we think only 800,000 of them were there to perv over Colin Farrell! Leon ran it and has a poem for us.The next day, Ryan went into The Secret Book Store for the first time, picked up a random poetry collection, opened it at a random page when enjoying a pint at Devitts on Camden Street in a journey that proves that poetry will see you before you see poetry. Enjoy this piece from the late Patricia Monaghan.We get into the weeds of Irishness next with the work of James Clarence Mangan as Leon has been reading Finding Mangan by Bridget Hourican, a devil of a book going into the deeps of his life. On the flip-side, a man who got a lot of inspiration from Mangan was Shane MacGowan. Ryan is reading his pub-crawl book 'A Drink With Shane MacGowan' at the moment so we share poems from both, and spar over the history of Ireland and the ignorance of education in England about what happened.We have a lovely end to the show through a short and sweet piece about love by Shiv Hickey. Beautiful work.If you like the show and would like to join our monthly read-along or would just like to show your support, join our Patreon on the link below:https://www.patreon.com/c/thepoetrysdeadpodcastStay sexyRyan and LeonPoems from the showLeon Dunne - What Are You Running From?Instagram - @nomanticzPatricia Monaghan - The Butterfly Tattoo Effecthttps://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Chaos-Salmonpoetry-Patricia-Monaghan/dp/1903392276James Clarence Mangan - Dark Rosaleenhttps://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/50353/dark-rosaleenShane MacGowan - The Duneshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5UH3Iik8JgShiv Hickey - Loved Out LoudInstagram - @whisperedwordsaftermidnightSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

For all the men over 30 who listen to the show, we apologise for the intro music.It's Halloween though, so we had to scare you a little bit and what better way to start the show than with the scariest music ever recorded, the entrance music that wrestler Kane.Poetry still to this day is hard to come by in popular culture, but The Simpsons in 1991 did something incredible. The creators took Edgar Allen Poe's 'The Raven' and trusted it to be the centrepiece of their Treehouse Of Horror episode. We wanted to share that this week, narrated by James Earl Jones.We bounce between ghouls, skeletons, bonfires, murder and throw in a mention of 'THAT' jump scare video where the car drives around the lane. You know the one.Leon has his own ghost story too that will keep you awake for sure.If you're in Ireland you'll get this on a bank holiday, so go wash last night's fake blood off that face, go for a walk and take us with you.(We do not own the rights of any content shared on the podcast)Poems from the show:The Raven - Edgar Allen PoeTaken from The Simpsons, Treehouse of Horror 1991Porphyria's Lover - Robert Browninghttps://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46313/porphyrias-loverThe Visitor - Ian Serallierhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p011lgcdSuzanne Meehan - The Gurrier's RiteInstagram - @suzie433Mary Karr - Field Of Skullshttps://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43134/field-of-skullsTheresa McCormack - If I Was A Ghost Instagram - @theworldaccordingtotLeon Dunne - A Ghost Story Instagram - @nomanticzSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

It took 6 months for us to mention the movie 'Dead Poet's Society' so give us a break!On the show this week, we have love, former loves, and all that life offers you in-between so settle in for 40 minutes of poetry and giggles.Leon had travelled out to Scotland for a wedding between two poets who had set each other a task of writing each other a poem during the getting-to-know you stage of their relationship. We share those poems on the show. Beautiful stuff.Ryan, from his posing position in Merrion Square, with a notepad in hand wrote a poem that he shares on the show that will put a smile on your face for sure.We mentioned Allen Ginsberg on the show last week, and the lads didn't know too much about him. We fix that with a poem and a short backstory of that 'Beat Generation' of American poetsMenna Siwan treats us with a poem that sends thanks to someone who crawled back from the edge with a piece called 'For You'.Our Agony Aunt this week is all about who keeps the friends after a break-up. Spoiler: You might need a few new friendsWe have the read-along now live and kicking so if you'd like to join us, sign up to our Patreon. We have a new book every month so get involved you absolute ride.Poems from the show:Dave and Sophie McIntyre - Wedding PoemsInstagram: @sm_gruber and @davidrobertmcintyre Ryan Duggins - My Favourite DayInstagram - @ryandugginsAllen Ginsberg - When The Light Appearshttps://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/01/04/08/specials/ginsberg-obit.html?oref=loginMenna Siwan - For You Instagram - @mennasiwanAgony Aunt - The SplitSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

The days are the shorter, and we're here to keep you companyIt's getting colder, but the leaves are looking mighty fine out there so take us with you on that walk this week, but grab a scarf.Georgie Jones gives us a poem this week that paints a picture of a world that we will never see: the feminine power of the women's bathroom.Seems just yesterday that Dublin was practically on fire and LUAS trains being destroyed, but it was a year ago would you believe. Those dark days are shared through a poem by Sean Walsh.We are lucky enough to have a lovely community following the show, and luckily for us, poems are always coming out of our folk so we wanted to share poems this week from two very talented community members, Joao Coimbra and Muiris Cloherty.We received an agony aunt problem since the last show that we just didn't feel qualified at Poetry's Dead HQ to help with, so we drafted in a specialist in the form of the Ireland Poetry Grand Slam champion Anna Doran, who delivers one of our favourite pieces of the show so far. We also have the voice of Ethan Hawke, funeral chat (It is an Irish podcast afterall) and a confession that could lead to Ryan losing his university degree.Our read-along is now live for our Patreon subscribers, so if you'd like to join us read a new poetry collection each month and get an exclusive show about it, you can join us here - https://www.patreon.com/thepoetrysdeadpodcastStay savage and enjoy Ryan and LeonPoems from the show:Georgie Jones - Ode To The Ladies Loohttps://www.tiktok.com/@georgiejonez/video/7205734276208332038Sean Walsh - GriefInstagram - @sean.walsh.96Muiris Cloherty - The Daylight AtheistInstagram - @muiris_cloherty7Joao Coimbra - Good And EmptyInstagram - @joaowritesAnna Doran - MatrescenceInstagram - @annad.poetrySupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

After a few weeks apart, the boys are back with a drop of malbec and some bleeding whopper poems for you.Anyone who dropped into the Leinster Slam poetry competition last week would have witnessed the power of Cormac Fitz, so it only made sense that we celebrated his win on the show with a poem from the man himself.Rupi Kaur is up next, as Ryan shares the story of when he received her collection from his sister for Christmas as a present, seemingly one of the better gifts he's received from her over the years.Over in Liverpool, Cilla Black is apparently not the only red-head to wow the crowds as we share spoken word artist Hayley Gordon on this week's show and share the power of the stage as a way to find yourself.Michelle Bosonnett has her collection coming out this year, published by Luain press, and we wanted to bring one of those poems to the show, and luckily she has sent us a lovely poem about longing.We woke up our Agony Aunt this week after a few weeks off to help us with a listener problem all about one-side love.Our Patreon community are going to be treated with a special monthly episode and a read-along with us, so if you'd like a push to get back into reading, sign up to our Patreon for more details.Loves ya,Ryan and LeonPoems from the show:Cormac Fitz - WaitingInstagram - @cormfitzRupi Kaur - Cityhttps://rupikaur.com/Hayley Gordon - LinesInstagram - twistedtales.hlg19Michelle Bosonnett - Rambling MemoriesInstagram - wildflowergirl81Agony Aunt - Dancefloor BluesSupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins

What a special episode we have for you this week!We have taken the time to throve through the archives to bring you some of the best bits of the podcast to date. So sit back, put the kettle on, and take off those shoes, as you relax into 46 minutes of entertainment gold! Or nonsense.. or both.. Poems from today's episode: Oscar Wilde - The Ballad Of Reading Goal (an exert)https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45495/the-ballad-of-reading-gaolImelda May - Liberty Bellehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQrWiGFtHpwJan Brierton- 'You Got Back Your Funny'https://www.newisland.ie/poetry-drama/what-day-is-itRyan Duggins - There Is No ProblemInstagram - @ryandugginsLeon Dunne - Around Town Most DaysInstagram - @nomanticzJohn Cooper Clarke - Bed Blocker IBlueshttps://www.clc.sllf.qmul.ac.uk/?p=387Paddy Downey - Dublin Zoo@poemsbypaddy On InstagramLisa Downey - My Daddy PaddySupport the showOriginal music by Matthew Keating Artwork by Paddy DowneyIntroduction by Lisa DowneyProduced by Ryan Duggins