Terry McDonagh

photo:Joanna Longster

Biographical Information

Terry McDonagh, poet, dramatist, from County Mayo, is a much-travelled, freelance artist with vast experience of working on creative writing and drama programmes for all ages.

He has taught creative writing at the University of Hamburg and was Drama Director at the International School for thirteen years.

He works closely with Poetry Ireland (Writers’ in Schools); takes part in writer-in-residence programmes and book-weeks as well as working at festivals; at international schools in many countries in Europe as well as in Asia and Australia.

With piper, Diarmaid Moynihan, he completes the duo, Raitneach.

He is Artistic Director of In Sight of Raftery Festival, Kiltimagh, now in its third year.

He is the author of several collections of poetry, a book of letters, a short novel for children, one play. His poetry for teenagers – BOXES – is very popular with young people.

He is the first Irish poet to have had a collection of poetry published in translation in Indonesia. His work has also been translated into German. Both translations were funded by Ireland Literature Exchange, Dublin.

As writer in residence he has worked in Australia, The Middle East, Indonesia, Thailand, in several European countries, as well in Ireland: EGs: Coole Park, Ballina Edge 2007. Clifden Arts Festival outreach programme, Baboro, children’s festival, Galway, among others.

BOXES – a collection of poetry for young people published 2006. Galway Advertiser chose it as book of the week.

IMPRESSIONS:

1) I was lucky enough to be present on numerous occasions to witness Terry McDonagh’s work as a facilitator of workshops on theatre and poetry, in fact anything creative. Terry has a remarkable eye for creating images, verbal, visual, simple, striking.

Terry’s work moves fleetingly from the conscious, the thinking to the unconscious, the feeling. And it is here where he is best; inspiration and imagination are at perfect equilibrium in these quiet moments of creation.

Terry’s instinct, his creative power are his strength, his wisdom and the ability to inspire others.

Above all however Terry is a person, who cares, cares deeply about his craft and the importance of the power of language.

I enjoyed the deep conversations over the years that added so much to days that often bordered on the banal.

Joachim Matschoss – Director of Performing Arts – Caulfield Grammar, Melbourne.
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COMMENTS ON CHILDREN’S POETRY – BOXES:

2) McDonagh certainly keeps the bardic tradition of Ireland to the fore in all his poetry. Above all else, the humour in this intelligent collection, BOXES, rises like cream to the top…
Colette Nic Aodha (Inis, The Irish Literary Magazine)

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3) In this highly original and very exciting poetry for young people, Terry McDonagh has not forgotten what it’s like to be young…
Olaf Hille, Blaupause Books, publisher.

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4) ‘a hilarious one about head lice. Yes, head lice!’ Terry McDonagh shows that even these can be a topic for a poem…
Gordon Snell, Irish Times.

5) The poems are about the really important things in life that children see with such honesty. It is a world of daydreams and wonder, but also about misfits like ‘Tone Deaf Peter’ who are happy to sing their own song. McDonagh’s poetry will make you laugh, celebrate silliness and remember the freedom that comes with imagination. The poetry is like a sweet revenge on all those who love rules for their own sake…
Geoffrey Gates, Australian author of A Ticket for Perpetual Locomotion, and teacher.
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6) Terry McDonough is no stranger to the world of literacy and education, having organised and presented creative writing and drama workshops, in-service for teachers and readings for children and adults all over Ireland in recent years.
Helen Walsh, County Librarian, Co. Clare, Ireland.

Examples of some workshops:

- Creative writing/drama workshops for European Council of International Schools in Nice, Paris, Hamburg, Berlin.

- Creative writing residencies/readings in Bonn, London, Dublin, West of Ireland, Brussels, Belfast, Stuttgart, Budapest and Kuwait city, Indonesia, Thailand.

- Dramatising Poetry – a workshop for Drama/literature teachers in Shakespeare Centre, Stratford upon Avon, 1999.

- Writer in residence in Melbourne, 2001 – Caulfield Grammar, University of Melbourne, RMIT and some other schools.

- Introduction to creative writing/drama in Education, for teachers, in Education Centre, Castlebar, 2002.

- Writing/Drama: ‘Silence Between Words’ workshop in Hannover for Association of German International Schools, 2003.

- Ubud/Bali International Writers Festival, and readings/lectures at Universitas Sanata Dhama, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 2004.

- Toured Melbourne and Sydney with Hamburg International School Theatre Group, summer 2005. Play: Spring Awakening in translation by Ted Hughes.

- Workshops with Mayo County Library in various libraries, as part of Children’s Festival, autumn 2005.

- Co-founder of FELT theatre company, Hamburg.

- Readings/workshops in Belfast City Libraries in March, 2006.

- Workshops in Bangkok and Singapore in spring 2006.

- Artistic Director of ‘In Sight of Raftery’ arts festival, Kiltimagh, County Mayo Ireland, summer 2006.

- Worked with Mayo Co. Library in 2006

- Works with Piper Diarmaid Moynihan on an evening of poetry and piping in Galway, Coole Park, The Dock, Carrick on Shannon and Ballina Arts Centre, spring 2007.

- Artistic Director of ‘In Sight of Raftery, June, 2007.

- Tour of Dubai/Abu Dhabi with Beacon Schools, March 2007.

- Creative Writing workshops with AGIS (Association of German International Schools) March 2007.

- Ongoing work with Poetry Ireland and Writers in Schools 2007.

- Sets up Book Club for young people in Museum of County Life, Castlebar, Spring 2007.

- Working with teachers on creative writing/drama in Ed. Centre Sligo in July 2007/8.

- August: Tigh Fili, Cork, Poet and Piper

- Museum of Country Life, Poet and Piper Sept.

- Reading tour in Scotland (Sept 20-Oct3rd.)

- Workshops on creative writing/drama for JCSP secondary teachers in Dubin, 2007/2008

- Workshops/readings for young people in Brandenburg International School(2008)

- Irish Embassy supported reading in Hamburg, Feb, 2008.

- Museum of Country Life workshops on creative writing April 2008

- Poetry Ireland/Clifden Arts Festival outreach programme – April through to festival (’08).

- Spring to summer 2009: writing, drama, editing in Ireland.

Publications:
- Five books of poetry – Blaupause-books, Hamburg
- One play – Karin Fischer Verlag, Aachen
- One short novel for young people – Ernst Klett Verlag, Stuttgart
- Included in Christmas Stories by Celebrities – Rowohlt Verlag Hamburg
- One book of letters – Blaupause-books, Hamburg
- Included in anthology of children’s poetry Something beginning with P – O’Brien Press/Poetry Ireland, Dublin.
- Boxes – poetry for children – Blaupause-books, Hamburg
- Cill Aodain & Nowhere Else – poetry collection illustrated by American artist, Sally McKenna.
- The Truth in Mustard – ARLEN HOUSE GALWAY (2010)

He has been published in journals and literary magazines in Ireland, England, USA, Germany and Australia.

Work in Translation:

- Kiltimagh, McDonagh’s poetry into German – grant-aided by Ireland Literature exchange, Dublin – 2001- Blaupause, Hamburg. Translator, Poet, Mirko Bónne

Tiada Tempat di Rawa: translation of his work into Indonesian by INDONESIA TERA, Magelang, also funded by Ireland Literature Exchange and launched in Yogyakarta in October 2004. The Cultural Relations Committee, Dublin funded Terry McDonagh’s reading tour in Indonesia.
Twelve Strange Songs: Twelve poems put to music for voice and string quartet by Eberhard Reichel.
He is included in Writers in Schools dictionary/Poetry Ireland, as well as in www.irishwriters-online.com

(The text of two of his books: A World Without Stone and A Song for Joanna can be read online: www.terry-mcdonagh.com )