Cork-based poet Thomas McCarthy brings out Pandemonium inspired by the recession

Cork-based poet Thomas McCarthy’s new book was inspired by the most recent recession. He tells Colette Sheridan about the genesis of Pandemonium

BACK in the 1980s when poet Thomas McCarthy was living with his wife, Cathy, in the top flat at 6, Sydney Place in Cork, their morning ritual involved drinking coffee and looking at the chimney smoke from Thompson’s Bakery on MacCurtain Street.

But one morning, Cathy looked out the window and reported that there was no smoke.