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
There is nothing as dead and as damned as an important thing. The things that really matter are casual, insignificant little things. Patrick Kavanagh casualdamndead 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
Young writers should keep out of pubs and remember that the cliche way of the artistic life is a lie. Patrick Kavanagh artisticclichelie Change image and share on social
In the country places of Ireland, writing is held in certain awe: a writer was a dangerous man from whom they instinctively recoiled. Patrick Kavanagh awecountrydangerous Change image and share on social
The keynote of simple folk is bad manners, familiarity. They intrude on one's private soul. Patrick Kavanagh badfamiliarityfolk 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
What appears in newspapers is often new but seldom true. Patrick Kavanagh appearnewspaperseldom Change image and share on social
