By Ger Cody
Photos jbs
As people made their way to the St Canice’s Neighbourhood Hall at the Butts Green, fireworks lit the sky overhead. It was Halloween night – Oíche Shamhna. The term literally translates to ‘Samhain Eve’ referring to the ancient Irish festival of Samhain, which marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of winter.
And in a strange way, the night was very appropriate as it marked a change in seasons for Kilkenny woman Sinéad Keane. Sinéad, who for years has been dabbling in prose and poetry was never able to have them printed. Oíche Shamhna marked a significant change for Ireland and a major change for Sinéad also. Family and friends gathered for the launch of Sinéad Keane’s wonderful book of poetry.
Sinéad was born in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. At the age of six, she moved with her family to Kilkenny where she grew up and went to school, attending St Canice’s primary and Loreto Secondary School. She would later go on to complete a Domestic Science course in Carrick-on-Suir. Writing has long been her passion, and for over thirty years she has been crafting poetry that reflects her life, roots, and inspiration.
As poetry launches go this one was special, comprising family and friends. Contributing enormously to the event was Steve Nolan whose charismatic approach put everyone at ease and his jovial quips made it such a pleasant night. Steve is Project Facilitator at The Neighbourhood Hall and his personality alone would win you over. Steve explained that the involvement of St Canices’s Neighbourhood Hall and Sinéad’s book came about by chance. “I was standing outside the hall one day and Sinéad passed by. First there was a wave, then a hello and before I knew it, Sinéad was in the hall on a regular basis talking all things poetry.” Steve went on to explain that the Neighbourhood Hall manager Jenny and himself agreed to produce Sinéad’s book of poetry and described the project as most enjoyable and uplifting.
Sinéad read three of her poems on the night and took part in a question and answer session. Steve Nolan also read a poem ‘My Treasure’, and it is fair to say that his theatrical training stood to him. Ms Keane thanked Steve and Jenny and paid special thanks to family and friends who encouraged and supported her with her writing. “I have quite a lot of poems written but I never knew how to put them into book form,” said Sinéad. She concluded by saying how much she appreciated people turning up to the book launch. A Girl of Ambition – a collection of poems by Sinead Keane is available from the author or you can make enquiries at the Neighbourhood Hall.
A Girl of Ambition
By Sinead Keane
I know a girl with glamour and charm
Longing to know and with nowhere to go
She hears people talking and disregards walking
She knows what is wrong but she’s not very strong
She needs some attention if only to mention
She’s never the kind to have you in mind
She’ll trip and she’ll stumble but never will grumble
There’s often a day when she’s far away
Without realising her whole life’s reviving
She’s a girl of ambition without recognition
She’ll take in what’s around with never a sound
Sometimes at night, to her delight,
She’ll work out your wages or maybe your ages
She’s dreamt every dream that ever was seen
Falling down mountains or sitting in fountains
Or running through fields when all is revealed
She’ll never repeat something so neat
A girl of ambition with good intuition
She’s tried to be kind, faced fear while blind
The girl I speak of is me.
A girl, no, a woman I see.
A girl with my dignity
A woman with something in me.
A girl who knows she’s not perfect
But, you know, somethings are not worth it
A girl who knows as far as it goes
But wants recognition for all her ambition.
