Paula Meehan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paula Meehan
Paula Meehan, 2009

Paula Meehan, born in 1955, is a well-known Irish poet and playwright. She writes poems and plays that often explore themes about life in Ireland.

Early Life and Education

Paula Meehan was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1955. She was the oldest of six children. Her family moved to London for a time, where she went to St. Elizabeth's Primary School.

Returning to Dublin

Later, Paula and her family moved back to Dublin. She finished her primary school education at the Central Model Girls' School. She started secondary school at St. Michael's Holy Faith Convent.

Standing Up for Beliefs

During her time at St. Michael's, Paula was expelled from school. This happened because she helped organize a protest march against some of the school's rules. She then studied for her Intermediate Certificate on her own. After that, she went to Whitehall House Senior College to prepare for her Leaving Certificate.

Discovering Her Voice

Outside of school, Paula was very creative. She joined a dance drama group and was interested in music bands. Around 1970, she started writing song lyrics. Over time, writing song lyrics turned into writing poetry, which became her main passion.

College Years and Travel

From 1972 to 1977, Paula studied at Trinity College, Dublin. She focused on English, History, and Classical Civilization. During her studies, she took a year off to travel around Europe. While at college, she also enjoyed being part of street theatre and other performances.

After college, Paula continued to travel. She spent time in countries like Greece, Germany, Scotland, and England. Later, she received a special offer to teach at Eastern Washington University in the United States.

Advanced Studies in Poetry

At Eastern Washington University, Paula studied from 1981 to 1983. She earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Poetry. During this time, she learned from famous writers like Gary Snyder and Carolyn Kizer. These writers greatly influenced her own work and ideas. She returned to Dublin in 1983.

Her Creative Work

Paula Meehan has written many different types of poetry. Her poems have been used in films and by modern dance companies. She has also worked with visual artists, combining her words with their art.

Poetry and Music

Many of Paula's poems have been set to music by songwriters. One famous Irish musician, Christy Moore, has used her poems in his songs. Her poetry is also well-known around the world. It has been translated and published in many languages, including French and German.

Recognized Poems

In 2015, one of her poems was chosen for a special competition called 'A Poem for Ireland'. Her 1991 poem, 'The Statue of the Virgin at Granard Speaks', was among the top ten poems shortlisted.

Judging Other Poets

Paula Meehan is also respected enough to judge the work of other poets. In 2020, she was a judge for the Griffin Poetry Prize, which is a very important award for poetry.

Awards and Honors

Paula Meehan has received several important honors for her contributions to poetry.

Ireland Professor of Poetry

In September 2013, Paula was given a very special role. She was named the Ireland Professor of Poetry by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins. This is a highly respected position in the literary world of Ireland.

Honorary Fellowship

More recently, in 2023, Paula Meehan was elected an honorary fellow of Trinity College Dublin. This means the university recognized her as a distinguished person, even though she is not a regular staff member.