Celebrating Appalachia’s Irish roots: A Carson-Newman event

(March 8, 2017) – Carson-Newman University will celebrate Appalachia’s Irish roots by hosting Irish poets Cahal Dallat and Anne-Marie Fyfe, Monday, March 27. The mix of discussion, readings and music will be held in Thomas Recital Hall at 7 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

“We are very excited to have Cahal and Anne-Marie on campus,” said Dr. Shawn O’Hare, chair of the University’s English Department. “Not only are they wonderful poets and cultural critics, but they truly enjoy engaging with students.”

Dallat has written poetry collections including “The Year of Not Dancing” and “Morning Star.” His poem “Love on a Rock” won the 2006 Strokestown International Poetry Competition, Ireland’s leading poetry contest. Other accolades include awards from Cardiff International, Amnesty International, Kent & Sussex Poetry Society, Cheltenham Poetry Festival and more. He regularly writes as a critic for a number of publications including “The Guardian.”

Fyfe’s five collections of poetry include “Understudies: New and Selected Works” and her most recent collection, “House of Small Absences.” She has organized readings and classes for “Coffee-House Poetry” at London’s “Troubadour” since 1997. Fyfe has appeared on BBC and CNN and frequently hosts and chairs literary events and panel discussions.

“The Appalachian Cultural Center is thrilled to celebrate Appalachia’s Irish roots,” said Dr. Jennifer Hall, director of the Center. “The music and voices of Ireland echo throughout our region, and we are thrilled to welcome Cahal and Anne-Marie as they remind us of those connections.“

Thomas Recital Hall is located in Tarr Music Center on campus.