A Menu of Poems is being distributed throughout Letterkenny University Hospital wards, waiting rooms and other healthcare settings today to celebrate Poetry Day Ireland.
Over 10,000 people in healthcare settings will receive the Menu on Poetry today, selected by Poet Theo Dorgan.
The anthology includes Mary O’Malley’s poem The Hare, Pat Boran’s poem Hedge School and Mary O’Donnell’s poem Unlegendary Heroes.
The poets involved have also kindly recorded the poetry and it is available at https://saoltaarts.com/ and the Menu is available to anyone working in a healthcare facility to print and distribute in their own locations.
There is also a bonus available on the website Theo’s own poem The Promised Garden.
Since its conception in 2008, Menu of Poems has been a positive development in the lives of both patients and those who work in healthcare settings across Ireland. The poetry is circulated on meal trays in hospitals and other healthcare settings with participating healthcare providers organising readings and workshops for Poetry Day Ireland.
Theo Dorgan, Poet and Editor of the 2023 Menu of Poems, said: “This is a marvellous venture and it’s a pleasure and an honour to contribute to it. Now more than ever we need words that speak to us in the direct language of the heart. I chose these poems in the hope they will help steady the hearts of readers as they have steadied mine.”
For more information on the Menu of Poems project and if your hospital or healthcare facility would like to take part email saoltaarts@hse.ie
Downloadable version and recordings available at: https://saoltaarts.com/
For information on Poetry Day Ireland visit http://www.poetryday.ie/
