Patrick Kavanagh

Patrick Kavanagh is one of the most important Irish poets on the Leaving Cert course. His work traces a journey from the fields of Monaghan to the canal banks of Dublin, from bitterness and spiritual hunger to hard-won acceptance. Examiners reward students who can discuss specific poems rather than making sweeping claims about his rural background.

Prescribed Poems

Click any poem below for a full study guide with analysis, key quotes, themes, and exam strategy.

Iniskeen Road, July EveningView notes ShancoduffView notes The Great Hunger (Section I)View notes A Christmas ChildhoodView notes AdventView notes On Raglan RoadView notes The HospitalView notes Canal Bank WalkView notes Lines Written on a Seat on the Grand Canal, DublinView notes

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Know the poem. Now write the H1 answer on it.

Plus has a full marked H1 sample answer for , plus short videos for every prescribed poet, so you walk into Paper 2 knowing exactly what to say.

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