BOOK LAUNCH:

The Selected Poems of Robert Graves, edited by Michael Longley

Wednesday, 2 October at 7pm in the Crescent Arts Centre

MARK DOTY
Thursday, 10 October at 8pm in the Council Chamber, Lanyon Building Queens University Belfast

A CRITICAL SYMPOSIUM:
Irish and American Poetry, a Tribute to Michael Allen (1935-2011)
Friday, 1 November 11am-6.30 pm in the Council Chamber, Lanyon Building, Queens University Belfast

This new and essential selection from Faber and Faber will restore Graves to view as a major twentieth century poet, and demonstrate his manifold achievement as war poet, as love poet, and as a secular visionary whose poems are 'inimitable, eccentric marvels some of which are extraordinary, many are masterly, all are like nothing else ever written' (Randall Jarrell). The evening will be introduced by Michael Longley and will feature readings of favourite Graves poems from local poets and scholars, including Fran Brearton, Ciaran Carson, Leontia Flynn, Ed Larrissy, and Medbh McGuckian.

Mark Doty is one of the most highly regarded poets in the U.S.A., hailed for his elegant, intelligent verse. He was the first American poet to win the T.S. Eliot Prize with his collection My Alexandria (1993). Among his other awards are the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the National Book Award for Fire to Fire: New and Selected Poems (2008). This is a rare opportunity to hear one of the most original and arresting poets writing today. How to contact us: Seamus Heaney Centre for Poetry c/o School of English Queens University of Belfast Belfast BT7 1NN Tel: +44 (0)28 90971070 Web: www.qub.ac.uk/heaneycentre Email: g.hellawell@qub.ac.uk

Former colleagues and students will participate, including Edna Longley, Fran Brearton, Alan Gillis, Richard Kirkland, Adrienne Janus, William Watkin and Peter Stoneley. The symposium will end with a reading by Paul Muldoon. An attendance fee of 10 will be charged. To put your name down and obtain further details, contact Gerry Hellawell, email g.hellawell@qub.ac.uk

MICHAEL SYMMONS ROBERTS

Thursday, 14 November at 8pm in the Crescent Arts Centre

Michael Symmons Roberts poetry has been widely acclaimed. He reflects on the world in a way that has been informed by a sense of grace, of transcendence, but the pieces are grounded in detail, beautifully expressed, subtly luminous. (Robert Potts) His latest book, Drysalter, has been shortlisted for the 2013 T.S. Eliot Prize. He has also collaborated with the composer James MacMillan in producing a number of highly regarded song cycles, music theatre works and operas. Michael Symmons Roberts is Professor of Poetry at Manchester Metropolitan University.

collaborations with visual artists; her poems have been put to music by songwriters (including Christy Moore) and composers. Paula Meehan is a brilliant reader of her work. Among her awards are the Butler Literary Award (1998) and the Denis Devlin Memorial Award for Dharmakaya (2001). This lecture is an occasion not to be missed.

The SEAMUS HEANEY CENTRE for POETRY

VONA GROARKE
Thursday, 5 December at 8pm in the Crescent Arts Centre

IRELANDS PROFESSOR OF POETRY INAUGURAL LECTURE

BY PAULA MEEHAN
Thursday, 28 November at 8pm in the Crescent Arts Centre

Vona Groarkes poetry has been recognised by many awards, including the Brendan Behan Memorial Award, the Hennessy Award and the Michael Hartnett Award. Her most recent collection, Spindrift, was shortlisted for the Irish Times Poetry Now Award and was a Poetry Book Society Recommendation. She has published an acclaimed translation of the great 18th century lament, Eibhln Dubh N Chonaills Caoineadh Airt U Laoghaire (Lament for Art OLeary). Vona Groarke teaches at the Centre for New Writing at Manchester.

AUTUMN EVENTS 2013

at the CRESCENT ARTS CENTRE
All events are free and unticketed unless otherwise stated. Presented in collaboration with the Crescent Arts Centre.

Paula Meehan is one of the foremost writers of her generation, producing not only a substantial body of poetry but many radio and stage plays. She has written poetry for film, for contemporary dance companies and for