Biographical information Padraic Fiacc

1 biographical information

1.1 education , writing
1.2 relocation
1.3 life in belfast

biographical information

born patrick joseph o connor in belfast bernard , annie (née mcgarry) o connor, fiacc s father barman left united states when fiacc young. fiacc resided maternal grandparents had moved markets area of south belfast after being burned out of home in lisburn in furniture burned anti-catholic rioters.

his family emigrated united states in late 1920s , grew in new york city. returned belfast in 1946 lived 4 years before returning new york in 1950; grew in hell s kitchen. multicultural influences, coupled poverty , violence of neighbourhood impacted fiacc s outlook , writing, writing.

education , writing

he attended commerce high school , later changed haaren high school learn latin. while @ school, produced several original plays , first collection of poetry titled innisfail lost. poems reviewed padraic colum became mentor fiacc, directing him away themes of coming america , encouraging him research , write own people s history. fiacc had developed distaste america , found himself longing ireland dug deeper history , literary technique , style.

seminary padraic s next step. attended st. joseph s seraphic seminary , later studied irish capuchin order total of 5 years spanning 1941–46. includes in main reasons leaving path priesthood lack of disciplinary habits , longing freer existence.

relocation

on leaving seminary, , avoid signing military service, returned belfast in 1946 lived 4 years during time poetry published in several magazines , 1948 volume of new irish poets. fiacc youngest poet in edition. publications of fiacc s work time may found in irish bookman, irish times, poetry ireland, , rann.

in 1952, upon death of mother, fiacc returned new york after alcoholic father , younger siblings. during time met soon-to-be wife nancy, had read , enjoyed of writings. fiacc unsettled , returned belfast in 1956, settling in glengormley, suburb of north belfast, welcomed baby girl in 1962. has since published steady stream of poetry , other works.

life in belfast

fiacc continued write , won 1957 ae memorial award. 1969 momentous year fiacc. publishing of first volume of poetry came alongside return of pervasive violence. breakdown of marriage , nerves, , murder of close friend, gerry mclaughlin, ensued, did edited collection of poetry contemporaries surrounding topic of troubling times in northern ireland, wearing of black.

in 1970s, met poet gerald dawe whom met regularly, corresponded, , later acted mentor. dawe published steady stream of poetry , other pieces, , still resides in belfast. member of aosdána, irish arts academy. in 1980s, fiacc collaborated seamus carmichael, produced series of color linoleum prints, 3 based on poems missa terriblis collection , 7 based on work woe boy . these images exhibited in ireland in 1985 , 1986.