Michael Davitt (20 April 1950 – 19 June 2005) was an Irish poet who published in the Irish language.[1] He has been characterised as "...one of modern Ireland's finest poets in either of the nation's languages[2] and key figure in the 1970s Irish Language poetry movement".[3]
Although Davitt wrote in Irish, it was not his first language.[1] A successor to Seán Ó Ríordáin, whose first language was also English,[2] his work was considered avant-garde with urban and rural tones in combination, and an expression of "...a belief in language as the locus of personal and ... national and international self-definition."[1][7][8] The importance of location in which the real and imaginary worlds are part of one another is another major theme of his work.[8]
Analytic and intellectual,[1] Davitt's poetry is infused with a self-awareness of his choice of language, and incorporates some English words, which seem to act as a challenge to the poet to validate the use of Irish in any topic,[2] breaking those ties to traditional forms which might limit his "contemporary imagination."[9] The confrontation of traditional Irish culture and modern English culture is a core theme in many of his works.[2] As he put it, "What is important is to continue believing in the Irish language as a vibrant creative power while it continues to be marginalised in the process of cultural McDonaldisation..."[4]
Described as an "impresario" for Irish language poetry, in 1970 Davitt founded the journal Innti.[4][10][11]
Production and direction workedit
Davitt worked for Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) as a presenter from 1985–1988, and subsequently as a producer and director through the 1990s.[10] His production credits include the television documentaries Joe Heaney: Sing the Dark Away (1996)[6][12] and John Montague: Rough Fields.[6] He took early retirement to devote himself to writing, travelling between Ireland and France with partner Moira Sweeney.[4]
^ abcdefg Cracken, Kathleen (1990), "Act of Defiance: The Poetry of Michael Davitt", The Antioch Review, vol. 48, no. 3, Antioch Review, Inc, pp. 372–380, ISSN 0003-5769, JSTOR 4612237
^ abcde O'Leary, Philip (22 March 2004). "The supply of poetry". Irish Literary Supplement. 23 (1): 27.
^ "The Oomph of Quicksilver". Retrieved 27 November 2010.
^ abcdef Campbell, Siobhan (23 June 2005). . The Independent. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011.
^ abc Warnock, Gabrielle; O'Connell, Jeff W. (2000). "Face to face". Trident Press Ltd. p. 233. ISBN1-900724-46-4.
^ Cadhla, Stiofán Ó. "Middle-class Flu and the Hybrid Vernacular". Irish Review (27). Cork University Press: 193–196.
^ ab Denvir, Gearoid (2005). "From Inis Fraoigh to Innisfree... and Back Again? Sense of Place in Poetry in Irish since 1950". The Yearbook of English Studies. 35. Modern Humanities Research Association: 107–130. JSTOR 3509328.
^ Haller, Evelyn (2001). "Ways to Access the Landscape, Soundscape, and Landscape of Ireland in the Poetry of W.B. Yeats" (PDF). South Carolina Review. 33 (2).
^ abcd"Poet Michael Davitt dies suddenly". RTÉ News. 20 June 2005.
^ ab Wheatley, David (2 June 2000). "Micheal Davitt: Freacnairc Mhearcair/The Oomph of Quicksilver". The Times Literary Supplement. p. 33.
^ "Michael Davitt". IMDb. Retrieved 27 November 2010.
January 01, 1970
michael, davitt, poet, michael, davitt, april, 1950, june, 2005, irish, poet, published, irish, language, been, characterised, modern, ireland, finest, poets, either, nation, languages, figure, 1970s, irish, language, poetry, movement, michael, davittborn20, a. Michael Davitt 20 April 1950 19 June 2005 was an Irish poet who published in the Irish language 1 He has been characterised as one of modern Ireland s finest poets in either of the nation s languages 2 and key figure in the 1970s Irish Language poetry movement 3 Michael DavittBorn20 April 1950Mayfield Cork IrelandDied19 June 2005Sligo Connacht IrelandOccupationPoetNationalityIrish Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Poetry 3 Production and direction work 4 Recognition and death 5 Works 6 ReferencesEarly life and education editDavitt was born and raised in Mayfield in Cork City He was educated in St Patrick s Boys National School and the North Monastery 4 5 He then attended University College Cork where he pursued Celtic Studies 6 After leaving the university Davitt moved to Dublin where he worked as a teacher and with Gael Linn an Irish cultural organisation 4 Poetry editAlthough Davitt wrote in Irish it was not his first language 1 A successor to Sean o Riordain whose first language was also English 2 his work was considered avant garde with urban and rural tones in combination and an expression of a belief in language as the locus of personal and national and international self definition 1 7 8 The importance of location in which the real and imaginary worlds are part of one another is another major theme of his work 8 Analytic and intellectual 1 Davitt s poetry is infused with a self awareness of his choice of language and incorporates some English words which seem to act as a challenge to the poet to validate the use of Irish in any topic 2 breaking those ties to traditional forms which might limit his contemporary imagination 9 The confrontation of traditional Irish culture and modern English culture is a core theme in many of his works 2 As he put it What is important is to continue believing in the Irish language as a vibrant creative power while it continues to be marginalised in the process of cultural McDonaldisation 4 Described as an impresario for Irish language poetry in 1970 Davitt founded the journal Innti 4 10 11 Production and direction work editDavitt worked for Raidio Teilifis Eireann RTE as a presenter from 1985 1988 and subsequently as a producer and director through the 1990s 10 His production credits include the television documentaries Joe Heaney Sing the Dark Away 1996 6 12 and John Montague Rough Fields 6 He took early retirement to devote himself to writing travelling between Ireland and France with partner Moira Sweeney 4 Recognition and death editIn 1994 Davitt was awarded the Butler Prize by the Irish American Cultural Institute 10 In 2005 Davitt died unexpectedly in Sligo Ireland survived by one son and two daughters 4 10 Works editGleann ar Ghleann 1982 1 Bligeard Sraide 1983 1 Selected Poems Rogha Danta 1987 1 Freacnairc Mhearcair The Oomph of Quicksilver 2000 11 Fardoras 2003 2 References edit a b c d e f g Cracken Kathleen 1990 Act of Defiance The Poetry of Michael Davitt The Antioch Review vol 48 no 3 Antioch Review Inc pp 372 380 ISSN 0003 5769 JSTOR 4612237 a b c d e O Leary Philip 22 March 2004 The supply of poetry Irish Literary Supplement 23 1 27 The Oomph of Quicksilver Retrieved 27 November 2010 a b c d e f Campbell Siobhan 23 June 2005 Michael Davitt Bob Dylan of the Irish language The Independent Archived from the original on 2 October 2011 https www dib ie biography davitt michael a9441 a b c Warnock Gabrielle O Connell Jeff W 2000 Face to face Trident Press Ltd p 233 ISBN 1 900724 46 4 Cadhla Stiofan o Middle class Flu and the Hybrid Vernacular Irish Review 27 Cork University Press 193 196 a b Denvir Gearoid 2005 From Inis Fraoigh to Innisfree and Back Again Sense of Place in Poetry in Irish since 1950 The Yearbook of English Studies 35 Modern Humanities Research Association 107 130 JSTOR 3509328 Haller Evelyn 2001 Ways to Access the Landscape Soundscape and Landscape of Ireland in the Poetry of W B Yeats PDF South Carolina Review 33 2 a b c d Poet Michael Davitt dies suddenly RTE News 20 June 2005 a b Wheatley David 2 June 2000 Micheal Davitt Freacnairc Mhearcair The Oomph of Quicksilver The Times Literary Supplement p 33 Michael Davitt IMDb Retrieved 27 November 2010 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Michael Davitt poet amp oldid 1226203944, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
