Contemporary Irish Women Poets: Some Male Perspectives

Women poets have made substantial contributions to Irish literature, particularly in the last few decades. However, so many male critics have attacked Ireland’s women poets, whether through hostile reviews, outright silence or condescending praise, that the impression has been created that very few men appreciate these women’s poetry. With some notable exceptions, most academic appraisals by men have been less than enthusiastic. Many women also point to the treatment these poets receive in various anthologies, which typically include only token portions of literature written by women. In this book, Gonzalez has responded to these slights by offering a forum to a significant number of men to express their highest praise for Ireland’s women poets. In this book, Gonzalez includes two essays on each of Ireland’s best-known women poets, Eavan Boland, Eilean Ni Chuilleanain, Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill and Medbh McGuckian. Three other essays are the first formal scholarly pieces entirely dedicated to Paula Meehan, Rita Ann Higgins or Mary O'Malley. In his effort, Gonzalez helps establish the place of these contemporary women poets in the Irish literary canon, correct the misconception that male critics are unresponsive to their works, and encourages further exploration of Irish women poets by male scholars and critics.