This is genuinely sensational.
A clip of spoken word poet Stephen James Smith delivering a spellbinding performance of his poem ‘My Ireland’ on The Imelda May New Year’s Eve Special has captured our attention this morning, for all the right reasons.
The spoken word piece was originally commissioned as part of this year’s St. Patrick’s Festival, showcasing a hurt, joyful and nostalgic view of Ireland in the year 2017.
Smith performs an extract of ‘My Ireland’ on the show, accompanied by Niamh Dunne from Beoga, name-checking Zig and Zag, Elizabeth O’Farrell, Savita Halappanavar and many more – while simultaneously confirming his status as one of the voices of our generation.
Clip via RTÉ
”My Ireland sees goodness in the kindness of its people every day which bonds us just enough to get by.
”My Ireland celebrates the underdog who pulled like a dog. We’re not here to take part we’re here to take over.
”My Ireland, you are the Guilford Four, Rossport Five, Birmingham Six, travelling people and forgotten demographics.”
Stephen James Smith is a poet based in Dublin and is best known for co-founding the Glór Sessions Music & Poetry and Lingo Festival, as well as for his work on the Dublin 2020 bid for the Capital of Culture.
The Imelda May New Year’s Eve Special also boasts a line-up of The Corrs, Finbar Furey, The Strypes, Gavin James, Jack Savoretti, Beoga, Ryan McMullan, The Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow and a whole host of other Irish stars whom we’ve enjoyed throughout the year.
It airs on RTÉ One at 10.20pm on New Year’s Eve.
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