Poet Brendan Kennelly honoured in home town

When Brendan Kennelly and his daughter Doodle pulled into the car park of St Michael’s Church, Ballylongford, they thought a funeral must have been going on.

But the parked cars and the crowd of people that had gathered in the churchyard were there to welcome home one of their own, who had been absent for too long, and to unveil a bronze bust to honour him.

It’s been a few years since the poet, scholar, and novelist was home in his native north Kerry, but Ballylongford never forgot Brendan Kennelly nor he them.

The bronze bust by sculptor Jarlath Daly had been commissioned about 10 years ago, after Kennelly’s retirement from Trinity College where he had lectured for 42 years and been professor of modern literature for the last 32 of those.

But Ireland’s most recognisable poet was humbled by the gesture and publicly thanked that “handsome man”, Minister for the Diaspora Jimmy Deenihan, who was the driving force behind the commemoration.

Though now 79 years old, the dimpled smile is also still recognisable, as youthful as a baby’s. “I think it’s a great honour, it really is, and to have so many people here coming to enjoy themselves,” Prof Kennelly said.

“Ballylongford is a special place but especially the people I knew and had the privilege of knowing right through my life.”

Doodle Kennelly said her father was overwhelmed . “It’s very special for him, especially now that he has come home. I think he’s very overwhelmed and amazed.

“We thought it was a funeral when we drove in and we were waiting for the people to clear out and then we realised it was for dad.”

Family members joined the Kennellys on Friday evening for the occasion including Brendan’s brothers Kevin, Fr John, Alan and Paddy and his sister Nancy.

His sister Mary lives in the US and another brother Colm is deceased.

He was also joined by members of his extended family including his nieces Mary and Kate, arts officer with Kerry County Council, and her brother Mark, special adviser to Taoiseach Enda Kenny, and members of the Keane family from Listowel whose mother Mary died last week.

Kate Kennelly revealed that it was Uncle Brendan she rang for advice before she took up her job as arts officer. She said although she listened to it, had she heeded it, she never would have accepted the job. “Brendan said that creativity was like a spot and that if it’s in you it will get out,” she said.

His niece Mary had once asked him how he would like to be remembered. He responded: “Maybe some day if an old man asks his grandson to read a poem, it might be one of mine.”