Poetry is not Irish or any other nationality; and when writers such as Messrs. Clarke, Farren and the late F. R. Higgins pursue Irishness as a poetic end, they are merely exploiting incidental local colour. Patrick Kavanagh clarkecolourend share on social
The exciting quality about Joyce is that when you read him, you are not told of the large public issues that were agitating the minds of politicians and journalists on those days. Joyce is interested in the mind of a man who has put five shillings on a horse. Patrick Kavanagh agitatedayexcit share on social
A poet is never one of the people. He is detached, remote, and the life of small-time dances and talk about football would not be for him. He might take part but could not belong. Patrick Kavanagh belongdancedetach Change image and share on social
Wine and women do not go with song. Alcohol is the worst enemy of the imagination. Patrick Kavanagh alcoholbadenemy Change image and share on social
How strange a thing like that happens to a man. He dabbles in something and does not realise that it is his life. Patrick Kavanagh dabblelifeman Change image and share on social
The position is: the Gaelic language is no longer the native language; it is dead, yet food is being brought to the graveyard. Patrick Kavanagh bringdeadfood Change image and share on social
Ay - 'The Green Fool' business, the libel action over the head of it - did me a lot of damage. It destroyed the momentum. Patrick Kavanagh actionbusinessdamage Change image and share on social
Letting the facts speak for themselves is an immoral principle when we all know that facts and figures can be selected to prove anything. Patrick Kavanagh factfigureimmoral Change image and share on social
Publicity's a cancer. It eats out a man - till there's nothing but a shell left. Patrick Kavanagh cancereatleave Change image and share on social
What appears in newspapers is often new but seldom true. Patrick Kavanagh appearnewspaperseldom Change image and share on social
