Poetry Jukebox ‘No Earthly Estate’

This innovative installation celebrates the poetry of Patrick Kavanagh in scenic environs by the River Fane at the heart of Inniskeen.

The Poetry Jukebox is a unique and innovative public art project where poetry can be enjoyed for free by everyone.  Produced by a company in the Czech Republic the Poetry Jukebox concept was brought to Ireland by Maria McManus and her company Quotidian, with the first Jukebox installed in Belfast a few years back.  A hugely popular addition to the Belfast city streets it was soon followed by another in Dublin, situated beside EPIC in the docklands area.  The Jukebox here in Inniskeen is the 3rd permanent such installation in Ireland and significantly the very first to be situated in a rural context. 

Situated along the River Fane, the Jukebox celebrates the poetry of Patrick Kavanagh and his immense legacy to subsequent generations of Irish poets. It forms part of the Kavanagh Trail which also features iconic sites such as Billy Brennans Barn. the Kavanagh Homeplace and the Patrick Kavanagh Centre.  

This Jukebox curation entitled ‘No Earthly Estate’ features twelve of Kavanaghs most loved poems recited by various Kavanagh aficionados with two by the man himself.  The readings by Art & Una Agnew and John and Tommy McArdle are particularly notable given their own huge contributions to the Kavanagh story over the past 50 years.   

The Jukebox also celebrates contemporary poetry in Ireland and this curation includes eight poems from recipients of the Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award.  This award has recognised the best new emerging voices in Irish poetry since 1971 and is now one of the oldest and most prestigious poetry awards in Ireland. A rollcall of winners over the last 50 years is peppered with some of the great names of Irish poetry including Paul Durcan, Eileen Ni Chullinean, Sinead Morrisey and Pat Boran.   

Funding for the Poetry Jukebox was secured in 2020 under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme (2018), by Monaghan County Council in conjunction with The Patrick Kavanagh Centre, and with the support of Inniskeen Tidy Towns and Inniskeen Pitch & Putt.