Menu of Poems to celebrate Poetry Day Ireland this Thursday

To celebrate Poetry Day Ireland on Thursday, April 28, a Menu of Poems will be distributed throughout Irish hospital wards including Portiuncula Hospital and other healthcare settings for patients and staff to enjoy.

The poetry was selected by Galway poet Rita Ann Higgins, who was asked to include a poem of her own.

Menu of Poems takes the form of a short anthology of poetry which is distributed every year to healthcare users in various healthcare settings.

Produced by Saolta Arts on behalf of Arts and Health Co-ordinators Ireland, supported by Poetry Ireland and HSE Health Promotion and Improvement, over 10,000 people in healthcare settings will receive the Menu of Poems on Poetry Day Ireland. The anthology includes poems by Imelda May’ called ‘Stargazer’, Catherine Ann Cullen (children’s poem ‘Eliza Analyser’), Martina Evans poem ‘Gazebo’, and Rita Ann Higgins poem ‘Lucky Mrs Higgins’.

The poets involved have also recorded the poetry and it will be available at saoltaarts.com/stories/menu-of-poems/. The Menu of Poems is also available to anyone working in a healthcare facility to print and distribute in their own locations.

Since its conception in 2008, Menu of Poems has been a positive development in the lives of both patients and those working in healthcare settings across the country. The poetry is circulated on meal trays in hospitals and healthcare centres with healthcare providers organising readings and workshops for Poetry Day Ireland.

Rita Ann Higgins, Poet and Editor of the 2022 Menu of Poems, said: "It's not unusual to reach for poems at a time of crises or distress, sometimes poems are all we have to get us over the tough times. Selecting poems for this project was a great pleasure. It made me take down the books I had not read for a while. It was like meeting old friends. In the end the selection made me feel warm and grateful for the powerful voices of Cullen, Evans and May, may the creative force stay with them."

Director of Poetry Ireland, Liz Kelly, said: “We are once again delighted to see the Menu of Poems forming such an integral part of Poetry Day Ireland and being offered in healthcare settings at several locations throughout Ireland. Poems have been such a salve to so many of us throughout our lives and in addressing the challenges of the past two years. The selection of poets featuring diverse and enriching voices is wonderful and everyone who selects from this menu, is in for a treat.’’

Arts Director at Saolta Arts, Margaret Flannery, said: "Menu of Poems continues to grow its audience annually and this year we are delighted to introduce two new elements. Rita Ann selected a poem that we will produce in a poster format especially for paediatric health settings and all the poetry is available to listen to online. I would like to thank the poets involved for their recordings as we can reach more people and share the selection widely."

Portiuncula University Hospital are one of the hospitals participating in Menu of Poems 2022.

For more information on the Menu of Poems project and if your hospital or healthcare facility would like to take part email saoltaarts@hse.ie