The Art of Life

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Paul Durcan leads us around the Irish countryside in his "filthy, two-door, bottle-green Opel Astra," stopping off at Westport and Achill Island, where he declares himself to be "globally sad," but "locally glad." Next he travels east to Dublin to hold in his arms his newborn granddaughter and then to Tuscany, Poland, and Japan. Along the way he reflects upon parental pride, the aches and pains of old age, the wisdom of ex-wives, and dogs on the beaches of Dublin Bay, while introducing us to a host of colorful characters, including a bishop, a roofer, a milkman, a priest, and an unmarried mother. Is there an art of living or is life a work of art? This magnificent new collection—published on Paul Durcan's sixtieth birthday—reveals one of Ireland's most successful and popular poets at the height of his powers and continuing to challenge, amuse, and delight.