Michael Davitt (poet)
Encyclopedia
Michael Davitt was a Irish poet who published in the Irish language. He has been characterized as "...one of modern Ireland's finest poets in either of the nation's languages and key figure in the 1970s Gaelic poetry movement.
, attending the North Monestery school, where he mastered Munster Irish
. He pursued Celtic Studies
there at the University College. After leaving the university, Davitt moved to Dublin where he worked as a teacher and with Gael Linn
, an Irish cultural organisation.
Although he wrote in Irish, it was not his first language. A successor to Seán Ó Ríordáin
, whose first language was also English, his work was considered avant garde with urban and rural tones in combination, and an expression of "...a belief in language as the locus of personal and ... national and international self-definition." The importance of location in which the real and imaginary worlds are part of one another is another major theme of his work.
Analytic and intellectual, Davitt's poetry is infused with a self-awareness of his choice of language, and incorporates some English words, which seem to act as a challenge to the poet to validate use of Irish on any topic, breaking those ties to traditional forms which might limit his "contemporary imagination." The confrontation of traditional Irish culture and modern English culture is a core theme in many of his works. As he put it, "What is important is to continue believing in the Irish language as a vibrant creative power while it continues to be marginalised in the process of cultural McDonaldisation..."
Described as an "impresario" for Irish language poerty, in 1970 Davitt founded the journal Innti.
Davitt worked for Raidió Teilifís Éireann
(RTÉ) as a presenter from 1985–1988, and subsequently as a producer and director through the 1990s. His production credits include the television documentaries Joe Heaney: Sing the Dark Away (1996) and John Montague: Rough Fields. He took early retirement to devote himself to writing, traveling between Ireland and France with partner Moira Sweeney.
In 1994, Davitt was awarded the Butler Prize by the Irish American Cultural Institute
.
In 2005, Davitt died unexpectedly in Sligo
, Ireland, survived by one son and two daughters.
Life and career
Davitt was born and raised in the city of CorkCork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
, attending the North Monestery school, where he mastered Munster Irish
Munster Irish
Munster Irish is the dialect of the Irish language spoken in the province of Munster. Gaeltacht regions in Munster are found in the Dingle Peninsula Gaeltacht of west Kerry, in the Iveragh Peninsula in south Kerry, in Cape Clear Island off the coast of west Cork, in West Muskerry; Coolea,...
. He pursued Celtic Studies
Celtic Studies
Celtic studies is the academic discipline occupied with the study of any sort of cultural output relating to a Celtic people. This ranges from linguistics, literature and art history archaeology and history, the focus lying on the study of the various Celtic languages, living and extinct...
there at the University College. After leaving the university, Davitt moved to Dublin where he worked as a teacher and with Gael Linn
Gael Linn
Gael Linn is an organization devoted to the Irish language and arts.It is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, founded in 1953 to foster the Irish language and promote artistic events. On the business side, they run the Gael-Linn Records record label, which is partly funded by the Irish...
, an Irish cultural organisation.
Although he wrote in Irish, it was not his first language. A successor to Seán Ó Ríordáin
Seán Ó Ríordáin
-Life:He was born in Baile Mhúirne, County Cork, the eldest of three children of Seán Ó Ríordáin of Baile Mhúirne and Mairéad Ní Loineacháin of Cúil Ealta....
, whose first language was also English, his work was considered avant garde with urban and rural tones in combination, and an expression of "...a belief in language as the locus of personal and ... national and international self-definition." The importance of location in which the real and imaginary worlds are part of one another is another major theme of his work.
Analytic and intellectual, Davitt's poetry is infused with a self-awareness of his choice of language, and incorporates some English words, which seem to act as a challenge to the poet to validate use of Irish on any topic, breaking those ties to traditional forms which might limit his "contemporary imagination." The confrontation of traditional Irish culture and modern English culture is a core theme in many of his works. As he put it, "What is important is to continue believing in the Irish language as a vibrant creative power while it continues to be marginalised in the process of cultural McDonaldisation..."
Described as an "impresario" for Irish language poerty, in 1970 Davitt founded the journal Innti.
Davitt worked for Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann
Raidió Teilifís Éireann is a semi-state company and the public service broadcaster of Ireland. It both produces programmes and broadcasts them on television, radio and the Internet. The radio service began on January 1, 1926, while regular television broadcasts began on December 31, 1961, making...
(RTÉ) as a presenter from 1985–1988, and subsequently as a producer and director through the 1990s. His production credits include the television documentaries Joe Heaney: Sing the Dark Away (1996) and John Montague: Rough Fields. He took early retirement to devote himself to writing, traveling between Ireland and France with partner Moira Sweeney.
In 1994, Davitt was awarded the Butler Prize by the Irish American Cultural Institute
Irish American Cultural Institute
The Irish American Cultural Institute, or IACI, is an American cultural group founded by Dr. Eoin McKiernan in 1962. It specialises in recording aspects of Irish culture. It also sponsors research and awards prizes in the field of Irish Studies...
.
In 2005, Davitt died unexpectedly in Sligo
Sligo
Sligo is the county town of County Sligo in Ireland. The town is a borough and has a charter and a town mayor. It is sometimes referred to as a city, and sometimes as a town, and is the second largest urban area in Connacht...
, Ireland, survived by one son and two daughters.
Works
- Gleann ar Ghleann (1982)
- Bligeard Sráide (1983)
- Selected Poems/Rogha Dánta (1987)
- Freacnairc Mhearcair/The Oomph of Quicksilver (2000)
- Fardoras (2003)