Strange Boy to collide with poets for spoken word event

STRANGE Boy will join poets for a special evening of spoken word and live music this Autumn.

‘Ireland Is’ will shine a light on the multifaceted and contradictory Ireland of today. The Limerick event will take place on Thursday, September 28 at the Lime Tree Theatre at 8pm.

Organised by Poetry Ireland, the evening will feature a line-up of acclaimed poets, including Colm Keegan, Felispeaks, Hollie McNish, Danez Smith, and Erin Fornoff, as well as a special guest performance by Limerick rapper Jordan McNally Kelly alias Strange Boy.

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The event forms part of Poetry Ireland’s ‘Ireland Is’ spoken word tour, which will bring Keegan, Felispeaks, McNish, Smith and Fornoff together with local musicians in Dublin, Limerick, Cork, Galway and Longford this autumn.

Through their performances, the artists will put the spotlight on this country in 2023 and explore themes of identity and social justice, including issues of race, gender, body image, relationships, feminism, equality, love, resilience, and more.

Speaking at the announcement of ‘Ireland Is’, Director of Poetry Ireland, Liz Kelly said: “With this spoken word tour, we are offering audiences a diverse and profound mix of voices and perspectives that explore the Ireland of today in all its complexities. The tour takes its name from Colm Keegan’s list poem ‘Ireland Is’ and – like the poem itself – the performances will present us with an opportunity to reflect on Ireland’s multifaceted and contradictory identity; one which is glorious, beautiful, multicultural, open-minded, welcoming, and – at the same time – the opposite of all these attributes, too.

Poet Colm Keegan added: “A poem can be a great start to a conversation; after reading my poem ‘Ireland Is’ in many different settings, including prisons, homeless hubs, primary schools, youth clubs and nursing homes, I’ve found that people always want to add to it. Poems can be powerful catalysts for self-expression and creativity, and I really look forward to sharing the stage with Felispeaks, Hollie, Danez, Erin, and Strange Boy to find out what ‘Limerick Is’.”

For further information, visit poetryireland.ie