Plaque unveiled to mark Patrick Kavanagh address

ON November 1, a new plaque was unveiled on 51 Upper Drumcondra Road to mark the first Dublin address of the poet Patrick Kavanagh when he came to the capital in 1939.

It was also erected to celebrate the 110th anniversary of Kavanagh’s birth in October 1904.
The Monaghan Association, Dublin, organised the event and writer Brendan Lynch, one of the few remaining who knew Kavanagh, performed the unveiling ceremony.

Peter McDonnell, chairman of the Monaghan Association, Dublin, gave the introduction, while Dr Una Agnew read some of Kavanagh’s poems.

The unveiling was followed by a reception in the house where the poet lived. Guests were delighted that the association of Patrick Kavanagh and Drumcondra was recognised at last by a fitting plaque.

Mr McDonnell said:

“It was while strolling down Drumcondra Road that Kavanagh first heard the news of the outbreak of World War Two which had a profound effect on him and made Dublin his permanent home instead of a temporary address.

“He moved from this address to 35 Haddington Road and lived at various addresses in Dublin 4 until his death in 1967.

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