KW26 Howl, Jazz, Buddha, blues, A beat poetry workshop with Karl Parkinson (Saturday 26th September)

Join poet Karl Parkinson for a workshop that will introduce participants to the history, aesthetics, techniques, and spirit of Beat poetry while encouraging them to produce several original poems of their own.

By the end of the workshop participants will:

• Understand the cultural context of Beat poetry.
• Become familiar with key Beat writers and their differing styles.
• Experiment with spontaneous composition.
• Explore breath, rhythm, repetition, image and voice.
• Write 3–5 short Beat-inspired poems.
• Leave with ideas for continuing the practice.

The workshop will open with an introduction on The Beat writers and short history of the movement. Followed by readings of some example poems from a number of the beat writers, and some discussion, engagement, and exploration of the poems. 

A number of writing exercises inspired by the beats and the poems that will be read out will be given during the workshop to spur ideas, and for participants to come up with their own poems and a chance to read them aloud if they want to.

The workshop will end with some suggested reading material and tips and advice for participants  wishing to continue to practice with their own writing.

Saturday 26th September 2026,Patrick Kavanagh Centre

9.30AM – 11.30AM

Tickets: €15.00 

Suitable for: Adult writers, beginners to more experienced poets.

Karl Parkinson is a writer from inner-city Dublin. The Blocks his début novel was published to critical acclaim in 2016 by New Binary Press, and was published in Italian translation by Battaglia Edizioni in October 2022.  In 2013 Wurmpress published his début poetry collection, Litany of the City and Other Poems, and his second poetry collection, Butterflies of a Bad Summer, was published by Salmon Poetry in 2016, and his third collection of poetry Sacred Symphony, was published in 2020 by Culture Matters. His début collection of short stories The Grind was published in 2022 from Front Line Press, Back to Normal a co-authored poetry collection with Dave Lordan was published in 2022 by Frontline Press. His latest book is Song Of The Fallen(Blue Lotus Books). His work has been published in many journals and anthologies including: New Planet Cabaret (New Island Press) and If Ever You Go: A Map of Dublin in Poetry and Song (Dedalus Press), The Deep Hearts core: Irish poets revisit a touchstone poem (Dedalus Press), Children of the Nation; An Anthology of working-class poetry from Ireland, From the Plough to the Stars: An Anthology of working-class prose from Ireland, (published by Culture matters UK), The Irish Times, Dublin Inquirer and RTE Culture, The Stinging Fly, Poetry Ireland Review. Karl is one of Ireland’s most acclaimed live literature performers. In 2024 he was the recipient of a Patrick and Katherine Kavanagh Fellowship in poetry award, and in 2025 a literature bursary form The Arts Council of Ireland.  

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