A KILLARNEY man who is the country’s most respected commentator on poetry has been conferred with an honorary doctorate of literature by University College Dublin in recognition of his work and influence in the arts and his support of Irish culture.
Niall MacMonagle is a retired English and drama teacher who has been a real advocate for the arts and, in particular, a champion for poetry. He spent more than 30 years teaching at Wesley College in Dublin, where he founded the poetry-speaking initiative Poetry Aloud, now a nationwide competition.
He was responsible for the brilliant Lifelines series of books which encouraged his students to select their favourite poems and write about why they meant to them and, to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising, Niall published the Windharp: Poems of Ireland Since 1916 which reflects the country’s people and beliefs, its landscape, passions and politics over the past century.
UCD President, Professor Andrew Deeks, honoured the Killarney wordsmith for his exemplary teaching legacy and the inspiration he brings to readers.
Niall, who taught English to Graham Norton in Bandon and interviewed the chat show host before an audience of 800 people at Listowel Writer’s Week this year, lives in Dublin and is married to Mary Clayton. They have one daughter Catherine.
The son of Lil and the late Sean MacMonagle, Lewis Road, Killarney, Niall developed a love for print during summers working in Killarney Printing Works which was founded by his grandfather, Daniel, and developed by his father and his uncle Paddy.
He has three brothers Philip, who lives in the US, John who is in Cork and David who teaches in Castlebar, and his sister, Riona, is a talented wedding photographer who is based in Beaufort.
Niall traces his love for poetry and the English language back to his childhood in Killarney where he was educated in the Presentation Convent and, later, the Presentation Monastery where he first developed a passion and a talent for learning poetry by heart.
KillarneyToday.com: For unbelievably good advertising rates call 087-2229761
A KILLARNEY man who is the country’s most respected commentator on poetry has been conferred with an honorary doctorate of literature in recognition of his work and influence in the arts and his support of Irish culture.
Niall MacMonagle is a retired English and drama teacher who has been a real advocate for the arts and, in particular, a champion for poetry. He spent more than 30 years teaching at Wesley College in Dublin, where he founded the poetry-speaking initiative Poetry Aloud, now a nationwide competition.
He was responsible for the Lifelines series of books which encouraged his students to select their favourite poems and write about why they meant to them and, to mark the centenary of the 1916 Rising, Niall published the brilliant Windharp: Poems of Ireland Since 1916 which reflects the country’s people and beliefs, its landscape, passions and politics over the past century.
UCD President, Professor Andrew Deeks, honoured the Killarney wordsmith for his exemplary teaching legacy and the inspiration he brings to readers.
Niall, who taught English to Graham Norton in Bandon and interviewed the chat show host before an audience of 800 people at Listowel Writer’s Week this year, lives in Dublin and is married to Mary Clayton. They have one daughter Catherine.
The son of Lil and the late Sean MacMonagle, Lewis Road, Killarney, Niall developed a love for print during summers working in Killarney Printing Works which was founded by his grandfather, Daniel, and developed by his father and his uncle Paddy.
He has three brothers Philip, who lives in the US, John who is in Cork and David who teaches in Castlebar, and his sister, Riona, is a talented wedding photographer who is based in Beaufort.
Niall traces his love for poetry and the English language back to his childhood in Killarney where he was educated in the Presentation Convent and, later, the Presentation Monastery where he first developed a passion and a talent for learning poetry by heart.
KillarneyToday.com: For unbelievably good advertising rates call 087-2229761
