Theo Dorgan facts for kids

Theo Dorgan is a well-known Irish poet, writer, and lecturer. He also works as a translator, writes stories for musical works (called librettos), and creates scripts for TV documentaries. He lives in Dublin, Ireland.

Theo Dorgan's Early Life

Theo Dorgan was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1953. He was one of sixteen children in his family. He went to school at North Monastery School.

Education and Early Career

He studied English and philosophy at University College Cork. He earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree there. After finishing his studies, he taught at the university.

At the same time, he worked as a literature officer at the Triskel Arts Centre in Cork. He also spent time as a visiting teacher at the University of Southern Maine in the United States. Today, he lives in Dublin with his partner, Paula Meehan, who is also a poet and playwright.

Theo Dorgan's Career as a Writer

Theo Dorgan has published many poetry collections. His first two books, The Ordinary House of Love and Rosa Mundi, were later combined into one book called What This Earth Cost Us. Some of his poems have even been translated into Italian.

Books He Has Edited

Theo Dorgan has also helped put together several important books. These include The Great Book of Ireland and The Great Book of Gaelic. He also edited Irish Poetry Since Kavanagh and The Book of Uncommon Prayer.

Work in Translation

He has been involved in helping poets from different countries translate their works. He directed workshops where people worked together to translate poems.

Broadcasting and Other Projects

Theo Dorgan used to be in charge of Poetry Ireland, an organization that supports poetry. He has also worked on radio and television. He hosted a poetry show called Poetry Now on RTÉ Radio 1. Later, he presented a books program called Imprint on RTÉ Television.

He wrote scripts for a TV documentary series called Hidden Treasures. He also wrote Jason and the Argonauts, a musical piece performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 2004. Theo Dorgan also wrote text pieces for the famous dance show Riverdance. Many musicians have recorded his songs, including Alan Stivell and Jimmy Crowley.

Awards and Special Recognition

Theo Dorgan has received several awards for his poetry. In 1992, he won the Listowel Prize for Poetry. He also received the O'Shaughnessy Prize for Irish Poetry in 2010.

Contributions to the Arts

He is a member of Aosdána, a special group that honors Irish artists. From 2003 to 2008, he was a member of the Arts Council, which helps support arts in Ireland. He also served on the board for Cork European Capital of Culture in 2005. In 2015, his book Nine Bright Shiners won the Poetry Now Award.

Theo Dorgan's Published Works

Poetry Books

• The ordinary house of love (1990)
• Rosa Mundi (1995)
• Sappho's Daughter (1998)
• What This Earth Cost Us (2008)
• Greek (2010)
• Making Way (2013)
• Nine Bright Shiners (2014)
• Orpheus (2018)
• Bailéid Giofógacha (2019)

Non-fiction Books

• Sailing for home: a voyage from Antigua to Kinsale (2004)
• Time on the Ocean: A Voyage From Cape Horn to Cape Town (2010)

Translated Works

• Songs of earth and light by Barbara Korun (2005)