By Dan Walsh at Eamonn Wall’s Enniscorthy launch
Celebrated Enniscorthy-born poet Eamonn Wall who nowadays lives in St Louis, Missouri, United States, proudly celebrated at The Bailey, Enniscorthy, last night (Thursday), in the company of family and friends at the launch of his latest book of poetry entitled My Aunts at Twilight Poetry.
Award-winning actor and friend Andy Doyle introduced the work as “place, identity and belonging”, complemented the poet and described him as “Enniscorthy’s brightest emigrant star.”
Eamonn Wall said it was his eighth publication with Salmon Poetry and told the fine attendance that “it is a great privilege to come here to launch this book.” He was loudly applauded throughout the night as he read many poems from the work which is described as “a family history with many poems set in Enniscorthy.”
Eamonn was also celebrating his 70th birthday in The Bailey on Barrack Street, located one minute’s shuffle from the house where he grew up, recently demolished and incorporated into the so-called old Murphy-Flood’s territory now under conversion to a car park!
Friends and invited guests turned out in force for the pleasant launch ceremony of his latest poetry publication and there was a touch of nostalgia as Eamonn read a large selection of Enniscorthy poems he has written over the past four decades.
The award-winning and greatly published Enniscorthy poet has lived in St Louis since 2000, however, he has rarely missed an opportunity to visit his native town at least once every year, and sometimes more than once, to meet up with friends and stay in touch with his family members.
Eamonn has recently retired from his position as Smurfit-Stone Corporation Professor of Irish Studies, as well as a Professor of English Studies, at the University of Missouri-St Louis.
Eamonn celebrated a fulfilling poetic life in his hometown of Enniscorthy with lifelong friends and family, creating lasting memories for this talented writer and poet renowned for his poems, essays and reviews.
My Aunts at Twilight Poker by Eamonn Wall, published by Salmon Poetry, 84 pages, not illustrated, €10, ISBN 978-1-915022-37-0 was on sale at tonight’s launch but is also available at Easons, Enniscorthy, who also may stock other titles by Eamonn Wall.
WexfordLocal.com 