This episode of Cloch le Carn looks back at the life of Brendan Kennelly, one of Ireland’s most distinguished and best-loved poets, and renowned teacher, raconteur and cultural commentator.
He was born in Ballylongford, Co. Kerry in 1936 and, alongside other local literary luminaries like George Fitzmaurice, Maurice Walsh, Bryan MacMahon and his great friend John B. Keane, he helped shape the literary landscape of North Kerry.
Kennelly, a gifted GAA player, won a scholarship to study French and English at Trinity College Dublin and, after completing his degree, took time away from academic life to work for the ESB and as a bus conductor in London. He returned to Trinity to 1963 where he was appointed junior lecturer and would serve as Professor of Modern Literature from 1973 until his retirement in 2005. He was as passionate about teaching English as he was about creating poetry and inspired thousands of students at Trinity. He lived in the college for many years and was a central figure on campus and in nearby cafes and bookshops, well-known for his ambling around the adjacent streets and talking to friends and strangers alike.
He published over 40 books of poetry, novels and plays, including his groundbreaking and controversial works Cromwell and The Book of Judas, which topped the best-sellers list when published in 1991. He was a regular commentator and guest on The Late Late Show and will forever be associated with one of the programme’s most memorable moments when he recited his poem Begin to comfort a competition winner whose daughter had been killed the night before.
He also spoke openly about his alcohol addiction and how it nearly killed him. He quit drink for good aged 50, but by that stage his marriage to American academic and poet Peggy O’Brien had ended. Brendan and Peggy had one daughter, Kristen – or “Doodle” as she was better known. She and Brendan had a particularly close relationship; he was her rock, and she his, in the toughest of times. Sadly, she passed away 6 months before him.
Brendan spent the last years 5 of his life in his beloved Kerry and passed away in October 2021, after being diagnosed with dementia. He was a mentor, comforter and inspiration to many and will be remembered for his soft voice, his deep humanity and creativity and his exceptional body of work.
Cloch le Carn: Brendan Keneally features contributions from his niece, historian Mary McAuliffe, his close friends and fellow poets Theo Dorgan and Gabriel Fitzmaurice and his former student in Trinity College, broadcaster Evelyn O’Rourke.
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Presenter / Reporter Garry Mac Donncha
Producer / Director Dermot O’Hanlon
“B’fheidir gurb é Brendan an file go bhfuil nios mo gean ag daoine ar a chuid filiochta ná aon duine eile. Bhi rud eigin speisialta ag baint le Brendan, bhí a phearsantacht istigh sna dánta.”
Gabriel Fitzmaurice
“Bhí aithne aige ar léarscáil na cathrach nach bhfuil ag aon duine eile. Bhi Brendan oscailte i gcónaí don saol, don eachtra, don mistéír agus don duine daonna.”
Theo Dorgan
“He wrote some of his best poetry, his later poetry, after he gave up the drink, which was a late flourishing for a great poet and the great poet that he was.”
Mary McAuliffe
“Is bronntanas a bhí ann dúinn go léir. Tá mé chomh buíoch go raibh mé sa ghlúin a raibh seans agam a bheith i seomra leis i gColáiste na Tríonóide ag foghlaim uaidh, ní amháin as an leathanach ach faoin saol chomh maith.”
Evelyn O’Rourke