BY DIONNE MEEHAN
LETTERKENNY poet James Finnegan has been shortlisted for the Farmgate Café National Poetry Award for his collection of poetry ‘The Weather Beaten Scarecrow’.
With six poets shortlisted throughout Ireland, James is the only poet representing Donegal in the competition.
James, who taught in St Eunan’s College for 33 years, holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Living Educational Theory from the University of Bath and from an early age he had a passion for writing poetry.
Since his retirement in 2012, that passion has had a chance to grow and the result is a growing reputation as a poet of rare insight.
In 2022, he was the second-prize winner in the Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition.
Due to the success of his first collection, he received the go ahead from Doire Press in 2020 and work began on his second collection.
James published his book ‘The Weather-Beaten Scarecrow’ in 2022.
The book contains poetry with multiple themes, making it eclectic and also humorous.
Even though there is seriousness in the work there is also a sense of humanity in it.
The image on the cover of James’ book is by award-winning local artist Mantas Poderys which James says ‘elevates’ the work.
Speaking to the Donegal News, James said it is fantastic to have his work recognised.
“It is a wonderful sense of relief and pleasure to have my work recognised.
“I think it is a beautiful book and it is just lovely to see it getting recognised.
“It is really a significant thing to have poetry shortlisted in a national poetry award, it is a big deal and if the Weather Beaten Scarecrow happens to win it, that’s just an extra,” he said.
The Farmgate Café National Poetry Award was established in 2019 with sponsorship from one of Cork’s most loved restaurants, The Farmgate Café which is in the English Market.
The winner will be awarded €2,000 for the best full-length poetry collection published in 2022, by a poet residing in Ireland.
The winning poet will receive their prize and present a short reading on May 16 to mark the opening of the Cork International Poetry Festival.
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