Edgar Allan Poe in Irvine: Cemetery Tour & Pub Talk

Edgar Allan Poe spent part of his childhood in Scotland, after being orphaned at a young age and taken in by John Allan, an Irvine émigré who later returned with the boy for a formative visit. In Irvine, a long-held story claims that young Edgar learned his letters by tracing names and symbols on gravestones. Morbid? Perhaps. But the lessons seem to have stuck.

Join us for an evening in two parts: a chilly tour of Irvine's Auld Parish Church Cemetery, then the group will head to The Porthead Tavern (upstairs bar) to warm up with a pint & intimate Poe performance by actor Steven Duffy.

On Thursday, February 26th at 6:30PM, local guide, Billy Kerr and Enrica Jang, Executive Director of the Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum, visiting from Baltimore, Maryland (USA), lead a relaxed twilight walk through Irvine’s historic cemetery. The stones here range from solemn to sly, many marked with moral warnings, stark imagery, and just enough menace to delight a sharp-eyed child with an active imagination. The cemetery is also filled with figures connected, sometimes directly and sometimes by coincidence, to the Allan family and their circle. Bill and Enrica will discuss Edgar Allan Poe’s history with the Allans and where we see some of the cemetery influence in Poe’s works.

After the walk, we’ll head to the upstairs bar at The Porthead Tavern for a dram and nibbles, topped off with live dramatic reading of Poe stories and letters by actor Stephen Duffy. Enrica will share the strange history of Poe’s mysterious death in Baltimore and stay to answer your questions about the master of the macabre.

Hosted in Scotland by Poetic Justice and Poe Baltimore, this evening is part of a wider traveling series of Poe events with The Edgar Allan Poe House & Museum as they share plans for the museum’s historic expansion. Guests will hear more at the close of the night about what is stirring next at Poe’s Baltimore home.

NOTE: This is the second of two events in Ayrshire. Enrica Jang and Poetic Justice will also present a free talk on Wednesday at 2:00 PM in the Roberts Room at the , titled Allan vs. Poe.

Info: Address: 47 Kirkgate, Irvine, KA12 ODG. Attendees meet your guides at the Cemetery gate. This tour is primarily outdoors on uneven, potentially muddy ground. Torches or other portable lights suggested. Dress warmly for the weather and wet ground.

Info: Address: 2 High Street, Irvine , KA12 OAY. Actor Stephen Duffy will read selections from Edgar Allan Poe works and letters, with additional historical perspective provided by Enrica.

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