"Duanaire - collected waterfords" at The Book Centre

This event celebrates the first ever anthology of waterfords coming to The Book Centre - Waterford's leading independent bookstore. Entitled "Duanaire - collected waterfords" the anthology is edited by Kevin MacAlan, published by West Waterford Press, and features over 300 poems from more than 90 poets.

The waterford is a new poetry format that has been described as "the Irish haiku". Devised by Kevin MacAlan in 2024, it has only 24 syllables, arranged in 4 lines with its own rhythm, and has to rhyme in a particular way - the first and fourth lines have 8 syllables each and rhyme with each other, and the second and third lines have 4 syllables each, and rhyme with each other. Think of the waterford as a word caricature, a thumbnail character sketch in 4 lines about people, places, art, or philosophy. And to be a waterford, it must celebrate its subject; it’s a positive commentary. "Duanaire - collected waterfords" is the world's first collection devoted to this new poetry form.

To add to the party atmosphere there will be live music from Derek Flynn, readings from poets who have contributed to the anthology, and refreshments - there will be chocolate! Copies of the anthology will be on sale. And the evening's celebrations will be compéred by Kevin MacAlan. The fun starts at 6pm.