Ledwidge Day debuts at Townley Hall

Slane"s annual Ledwidge Day celebrations, which took place at Townley Hall this year, attracted a capacity crowd who enjoyed a dramatisation of the poets work and a talk by journalist Susan McKay as well as poetry readings, music and song. A burst of late-summer sunshine added to the enjoyment of the day, which was entitled 'A Robin in Townley Hall" after one of Ledwidge"s poems. A capacity crowd filled the Geogian mansion for the celebrations, which included a dramatisation of the poet"s life through his letters and poetry. It was written by Gareth Yore and narrated by Kevin Barry with readers, Frances Mulley and Bob McMahon. This was followed by songs from David Eager, who was accompanied on piano by Professor Mike Jones and poetry readings by Frances Mulley and Avril Molloy. As the music continued, The McDonagh Sisters were accompanied on piano by Aine Finnegan and they gave a wonderful rendition of classical and popular songs. They were followed by singers Paul and Aebh Kelly. Aebh, who is just 10-years-old, held the audience spellbound with her beautiful voice. Susan McKay, the renowned author and journalist, whose book 'Bear in Mind These Dead" was published this summer received a wonderful welcome. She gave a short talk and read an extract from her book. Poet Ruairi Gough read some of his own work and the evening concluded with more music and song. Latecomers, who couldn"t gain entrance to the event, weren"t entirely disappointed as the caretaker at Townley Hall, Brendan Kiernan, gave them a tour of the Francis Johnston designed mansion. As people strolled through the magnificent lawns, a robin was heard singing, bringing to mind the Ledwidge poem after which the event was named.