By Ger Cody
Photos Pat Shortall
“Let us all unite to ensure that our library becomes not just a building of books, but a mighty engine for the uplifting and enlightenment of this beloved country. I appeal to the people of Kilkenny: may you recognise the potential of this building and its treasury of knowledge. Let it stand as a testament to our collective will, our love of learning, and our undying commitment to the betterment of all our kin.”
Those words were spoken by the Countess of Desart at the formal opening of the Carnegie Free Library on the 4th of November 1910 at St. John’s Quay, Kilkenny. Philanthropist, Mr. Andrew Carnegie, gave a grant of £2,000, and the Countess Dowager of Desart purchased a free site for the building and furnished it at a cost of £200. Lady Desart continued “My heart swells with hope that this noble building will soon be brimming with volumes that shed light, provide leading instruction, invigorate the soul, and serve as a bastion of thought and true learning.”
The vision for a new library by Lady Desart was just one of her great achievements. One can only imagine that the same lady would look on with great admiration and encouragement at the new Mayfair Library, situated a stones throw from the original library and just across the Nore via a bridge aptly named Lady Desart bridge. As over 100 people gathered at the Mayfair for the launch of Still Time by Kilkenny poet Nora Brennan, Nuala Roche, manager, welcomed the gathering and took pride in explaining that over 115,000 people had passed through the library since the doors opened in April 2024.
First book launch
There was a spontaneous round of applause when Nuala mentioned that Nora’s book of poetry was the first to be launched at the Mayfair. Nora, who is from Kilkenny, initially followed a career in post-primary and adult education. She would later study psychosynthesis and qualify as a psychotherapist. She is a prize winner in national poetry competitions including the Jonathan Swift and Francis Ledwidge poetry awards. This is her second poetry publication, having previously published The Greening of Subble Ground (2017). And what a launch it was. Everything ran smoothly and though you can be sure that plenty of planning went into the event, it was a most relaxed book launch.
Still Time is published by Revival Press. Poetry editor of the publishing company, Tommy Collins described the collection as a meditation on life and nature, “an exploration of time and times, fateful moments and cherished occasions, seasons and lifetimes, eras that end and things that endure.” His speech was read in his absence by Dr Derek Coyle, Carlow College. There are lines and lyrics throughout the collection he said that, “explore all things great and small, from the daisy and the blackberry to concepts of sin and faith. This collection suitably ends on a poem inspired by Patrick
Kavanagh, and reminds us to see life the way it is, and perhaps to see the spirit-shocking
wonder in everyday things while we still have time.”
A delicate experience
Renowned poet Kerry Hardie officially launched the collection. Reading Nora Brennan’s new
book she said, “as quiet and delicate an experience as looking up at the sky through the
lattice lace-work of a winter tree. It is devotional but not religious.” She went on to elaborate
on the poet’s journey from early life on a farm to work in the education sector and later,
through ill health, the loss of a way of life she had loved. Summing up, Kerry Hardie said,
“This is a wise and tender book, written with great modesty and care. It is like a wild flower.
Some traditions of Eastern mysticism urge us to think with our hearts and to love with our
minds. She has done this.”
Thanks from author
Nora Brennan thanked the library for offering her the space and thanked all her family, friends, publicists and advisors for helping her get her second book published. Ms Brennan read six or so of her poems and while all were met with great applause, one poem resonated most. Nora explained that not only was she thrilled that Siobhan Maher and Elizabeth Kett were supplying the music, but the violin being used was her fathers. “That this beautiful instrument, owned by my father, is being played on the night of my launch is very special,” said Nora. Emotions were high. Nora’s reading of ‘Violin’ was a touch of class. The following, some lines from the poem.
Violin
Made in Dresden, of finest maple and spruce,
the hollowed body full
of all the harmonies once played on its strings
the instrument my father tuned and played
without sight or stave or staff,
cast aside in an old case.
The poet spoke with The Kilkenny Observer and explained that the genesis of Still Time was a challenging start to 2023 and an acute awareness of her own mortality. “The poems gathered in this publication reflect both the bright and dark of my own life journey and I hope the reader finds something that resonates and something that touches the heart,” concluded Nora.
Music for the evening was performed by Siobhan Maher on the violin and Elizabeth Kett on
guitar.
Still Time is on sale in The Book Centre, High Street and Khan’s Book Shop, Kilkenny.
