I’ve just found out that I’m the 2014 recipient of the Ireland Chair of Poetry Bursary, which is a shock, but the best kind of shock.
I’m Harry Clifton’s final nominee for the award before his tenure as Ireland Professor or Poetry ends. I’ve enjoyed his lectures every year which have been a real education in international poetry, providing fascinating external insights (if that’s not an oxymoron) on the Irish poetry scene. However, it’s fantastic news that the wonderful Paula Meehan has been appointed and I’m really looking forward to hearing her Imaginary Bonnets with Real Bees lecture when it comes to Dublin next year.
The next thing to mention is the sense of trepidation at following in the footsteps of such talented previous recipients: Billy Ramsell, Dave Lordan, Leanne O’Sullivan and Miriam Gamble, to name but a few.
I’ve also been keeping quiet about my debut collection Liffey Swim, which is forthcoming from Dedalus Press in next autumn, but now seems a good moment to mention it; the four weeks in Annaghmakerrig that are part of the bursary will be much appreciated as I attempt to knock it into shape.
Reblogged this on Spontaneous Creativity and commented:
CONGRATULATIONS JESSICATRAYNOR !!!!! That is freaking awesome and epic!
Thanks Michael, am very excited!
Congratulations, fantastic reward for many years hard work.
Thanks Shane, noodle celebration soon!
Fantastic Jess! Congratulations. What a year for you! Really looking forward to your début. xxx
Thanks Afric, yeah I keep having to remind everyone I know that this kind of thing is not generally representative of a poet’s life! But lovely all the same:)
well done jessica
Thanks Dave – do we get a fancy jacket? Is there a secret handshake?
You have to go to cork to get the chair off billy
Brilliant. That is to say you’re brilliant. Well done Jess, they’re fantastic achievements.
Delighted fro you Jessica!
Well deserved!
And great news on the book too… I’m really looking forward to it.
Billy
Thanks Billy, really looking forward to reading your new book too! Oh, and Dave tells me The Chair is with you at the moment – I’ll pop down on the train and hoof it back up to Dublin. I’m expecting to see some mad graffiti on it…
Belated Congratulations, how exciting! Inspiring as ever! Happy 2014.
Thanks Michele, I hope you had a lovely Christmas!