A Gorey resident is set to release his first book this week…
Dónal Smyth is set to release his first book, entitled Life in the Dark Lane, on Wednesday in Gorey, Co. Wexford.
Although he was born in Dalkey in Dublin, he has been living in Gorey for the last six years and now views himself as a Wexford man just as much as a Dub.
The topics of his collection are open and honest. The personal theme of this honest and forthright collection touches on how chronic pain, coupled with suicidal depression, is diminished by finding love again. His personal struggles give rise to some dark poems in this book, questioning life in the ‘dark lane’. But after darkness can come light, and many such inspirational poems are represented in the collection too.
For Donal, he views writing as a form of expression. Dónal finds writing poetry helps him gather his thoughts and distract his mind:
“Writing and poetry has helped me gather my thoughts and distract my mind dealing with chronic pain and depression. Once thoughts are out of my head and on paper it can give a sense of relief. Paper doesn’t judge. But the book isn’t all dark. I’ve found love again and some poems touch on that as well. Also growing up near the sea has given me inspiration for some poems,” he told us.
Unlike many authors and poets, Donal doesn’t have many literary inspirations. Put simply, he’s not an avid reader – he’s an avid writer.
“I can’t think of any literary inspirations because reading a book has always been quite difficult for me. Writing is easier for me,” he said.
When asked about his collection specifically and if he has personal favourites, or one in particular that readers should pay close attention to, he points out two poems:
“The poem ‘Life in the Dark Lane’, the one that the book is named after, is a strong poem. It really describes how struggles with chronic pain and depression can feel like. But my personal favourite is ‘Call me’. It’s about how a listening ear of a stranger like a Samaritan or mental health worker can make a difference in life,” he told Wexford Weekly.
Ahead of his book launch on Wednesday, all is going well and he’s excited for the event and to put his work out there in the open for everyone to see, but he is also aware of the challenges that poets can face in the literary world:
“I’m looking forward to the book launch on the 4th of September at 4.15 pm at Gorey Town Park. But it is going to be a long road to market a poetry book. Poetry isn’t in the spotlight enough. Hopefully this will change. There are two poetry library events coming up that I’m participating in as well to celebrate poetry. On the 9th of September at 4pm Gorey Library hosts a poetry event and on the 17th of September at 7pm Arklow Library hosts a poetry event as well. Published and unpublished poets will read poetry from their own work or other poets and there will be an open mic too,” he told Wexford Weekly.
Dónal’s book launch will take place on Wednesday 4th of September 2024, 4.15 pm at the Coffee Pod Café in Gorey Town Park, Gorey.
Jason Redmond
From Gorey, Jason is the owner of Wexford Weekly. He is also a post-primary English and History teacher.