The Mayor of Killarney has praised a local poet for his passion and dedication to his craft which really shine through in a new book of poems and photographs about Kerry that has just been published.
A former banker now concentrating on the written word, Paul Byrne described his new collection For The Love of Kerry, as a real labour of love given that he loves nature and his passions in life include working with words and capturing snapshots of the great outdoors.
Pictures: Eamonn Keogh
The book was officially launched on World Book Day by Mayor Maura Healy-Rae at a reception in Killarney House and she was rich in her praise for the poet whose collection of poetry and images showcase Kerry at its very best.
“Paul has made the transition from banker to bard so seamlessly. He really wanted to capture the joys of Kerry and what surrounds us in nature to bring the spirit, soul and scenery of the county to our hearts and he has succeeded splendidly,” she said.
The mayor described Paul Byrne as the new poet laureate of Kerry.
“He has managed to put our beloved county into words in a way that we can all cherish,” she said.
She joked that the one concern she had was that the new book did not contain any poem about Kilgarvan but he promised to rectify that in his next collection.
Bishop of Kerry, Ray Browne, told the gathering at the launch that the book was a fabulous collection of photographs as well as poetry and he said Paul’s words really bring the images to life.
“There is a saying that what a wonderful being the creator must be to unfold such beauty everywhere in creation. Paul’s poems and photographs say that out loud,” he said.
Bishop Browne said the book brings to mind the three qualities that are linked together in ancient philosophy – truth, goodness and beauty – and it opens the mind of the reader to those three qualities.
“Paul Byrne, the poet and photographer, continues a tradition that goes back centuries, back into the psalms and beyond,” the bishop said.
Born in Collooney, Co Sligo in 1967, Paul’s family moved to Listowel when he was just a year old and he was educated in Scoil Réalta na Maidine and St Michael’s College.
After graduating from UCD, Paul’s career in financial services kept him in Dublin but after 25 years involved in senior banking, and a decade in other sales roles, he moved to Killarney three years ago.
His said his new surroundings present the perfect opportunity to enjoy nature and to seek inspiration from Kerry’s sheer beauty.
For The Love of Kerry features 36 original and beautifully crafted poems with some stunning accompanying images captured by Paul on his outdoor adventures and driven by his love of literature.
Much of his inspiration was found in Killarney National Park and Paul said what really motivates him is a sense of spirit, soul and scenery.
“I have always enjoyed writing and the magic of the written word. What I put down on paper is all about respect for the place we live in and the people we live alongside,” he said.
Paul read some of his poetry at the launch and guest readings were performed by poet and Scartaglen native Eileen Sheehan and by Bishop Ray Browne with a contribution also from Professor Diarmuid Hegarty, founder and president of Griffith College in Dublin where Paul launched his first collection of poetry, Inspirational Musings, in 2020.
- For The Love of Kerry, printed in Killarney by KC Print, retails for €15 and it is available at Eason on Main Street and Bricín on High Street and it will be hitting the shelves in other outlets around Kerry very shortly. It is also available on paulbyrnepoetry.ie.
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