Blending poetry, politics, oral history and mass murder, Thomas Kinsella’s epic poem, ‘The Butchers Dozen’, was written in response to the Widgery report, into the unlawful killing of thirteen innocent civilians on Sunday January 30 1972. This date would become known as Bloody Sunday.
‘Playactin theatre company’ will give a rehearsed reading at 8p.m. of the poem in Abbey Lane, Graiguenamanagh, on Friday October 30 at 8p.m. Readers will include: Paul Clifford, Cathal McFarlane, and Sé Nicholson. The reading is adapted and directed by Geoff Rose.
There will also be a reading at The Neighbourhood hall, on The Butts Green on Friday October 23rd at 7p.m.
Testimony
Following the reading, poet Derval Tubridy will read from her new award winning pamphlet ‘I will say that’, which outlines testimony given from women who were present on Bloody Sunday. Derval Tubridy is an Irish poet whose work responds to the intimate traces that bind and blind. Drawing on contemporary events and contested histories, her poems seek to situate the self within those networks that explore just how we live, and why we love. Born in Bandon, Co. Cork and now based in Dublin, she is a 2026 Irish Writer’s Centre National Mentoring Programme Awardee. Winner of the 2026 The Poetry Business International Poetry Competition, her debut pamphlet ‘I Will Say That, published by Smith|Doorstop in 2026. Her poetry has been published in The North, The Stinging Fly, Howl, The Irish Times, The Stony Thursday Poetry Book, The Monster’s Back, Southward and is forthcoming with Banshee.
The evening is free and is presented by Poetry Ireland and hosted by Poetry by the Barrow. Further information from: 087 7476955.
