- John Hewitt from Belfast (1907-1987): Born and raised in Belfast, Hewitt is known as the “Poet of the Glens” for his work celebrating Antrim’s landscapes, particularly in poems like “The Hill Farm.” He was a key figure in Ulster’s literary revival, focusing on regional identity.
- Louis MacNeice from Belfast (1907-1963): Born in Belfast to a Church of Ireland family, MacNeice grew up in Carrickfergus. His poetry, such as “Autobiography,” reflects Antrim’s landscapes and personal melancholy, blending modernist style with local imagery.
- Seamus Heaney from Bellaghy (1939–2013): Born in the townland of Tamniaran near Castledawson, Heaney grew up in Bellaghy. A Nobel Prize winner (1995), his works like “Digging” and “Mid-Term Break” draw heavily on Antrim’s rural life, earning him global acclaim.
- Michael Longley from Belfast (1939–2025): Born in Belfast, Longley lived there throughout his life. His poetry, including works like “Ceasefire,” explores Antrim’s landscapes and the Troubles, earning international recognition. He died in January 2025.
- Ella Young from Fenagh (1867-1956): Born in Fenagh, Young was a poet and Celtic mythologist tied to the Gaelic Revival. Her works, such as “The Coming of Lugh,” blend Antrim’s folklore with mysticism, later influencing her lectures in California.
- John Clifford from Larne (1900-1983): Based in East Antrim, particularly Larne, Clifford was a vernacular poet whose work preserved local dialect and traditions. His poetry, though less widely known, contributed to Antrim’s 20th-century literary scene.
- James Orr from Ballycarry (1770-1816): Born in Ballycarry, Orr was a “rhyming weaver” poet whose Ulster-Scots verse, like “The Irishman,” reflected Antrim’s rural life and political struggles, including the 1798 Rebellion.
- David Herbison from Ballymena (1800-1880): Born near Ballymena, Herbison was another “rhyming weaver” poet. His works, such as “The Auld Wife’s Lament,” captured Antrim’s rural and Presbyterian culture, popular among local communities.
- Thomas Beggs from Glenwhirry (1749-1847): Born in Glenwhirry, Beggs was a lesser-known Ulster-Scots poet whose work reflected Antrim’s agrarian life. His verse, part of the rhyming weaver tradition, was published locally in the early 19th century.
- Adam Lynn from Cullybackey (fl. early 20th century): Based in Cullybackey, Lynn authored “Random Rhymes frae Cullybackey” (1911), an Ulster-Scots collection celebrating Antrim’s rural traditions. His work, though niche, preserved local dialect.
Poems
- Carrickfergus” by Louis MacNeice : Explores displacement and hybridity, reflecting MacNeice’s Anglican upbringing in County Antrim’s Carrickfergus, highlighting Norman history and sectarian divides. Louis MacNeice, a Belfast-born poet known for his nuanced depictions of Ireland.
- “The Hill Farm” by John Hewitt : Captures the spirit of Antrim’s Glens, depicting a moment of cultural distance as the poet observes a Catholic neighbour’s rosary, evoking rural community life. John Hewitt, a poet celebrated for his regional focus.
- Poem , County Antrim” by William Smylie: Celebrates Antrim’s landscapes, from Lough Neagh to Carnlough’s shore, praising its scenic beauty and coastal charm. William Smylie, a Glasgow-based writer reflecting on Antrim’s inspiring scenery in the 1920s.
- “On Ballycastle Beach” by Medbh McGuckian : Weaves personal introspection with vivid imagery of Ballycastle’s coast, capturing the interplay of waves and memory. Medbh McGuckian, a Belfast poet known for her dreamlike, place-infused poetry.
- “The Strand at Lough Beg” by Seamus Heaney : Mourns a personal loss against the backdrop of Lough Beg, blending Antrim’s natural beauty with the violence of the Troubles. Seamus Heaney, Nobel Prize-winning poet from nearby County Derry, deeply tied to Ulster landscapes.
- “Cushendall” by John Hewitt : Reflects on the romantic and historical allure of Cushendall in the Glens of Antrim, capturing its serene rural character. John Hewitt, whose work often centred on Antrim’s countryside.
- “Antrim Coast” by Anne-Marie Fyfe : Evokes the rugged beauty of the Antrim coast, blending memoir and poetry to explore personal connections to place. Anne-Marie Fyfe, a poet raised in Cushendall, known for her reflective, place-based work.
- “The Glens” by John Hewitt : Romanticises the Nine Glens of Antrim, portraying their frost-covered landscapes and cultural significance. John Hewitt, a key figure in Irishpoetry with a focus on regional identity.
- “Belfast Confetti” by Ciaran Carson : Depicts Belfast’s urban chaos during the Troubles, using fragmented imagery to reflect conflict in Antrim’s capital. Ciaran Carson, a Belfast-born poet known for his vivid urban narratives.
- “The Blackbird of Glanmore” by Seamus Heaney : Though written in County Wicklow, it recalls Antrim’s rural Mossbawn, using a blackbird to explore memory and place. Seamus Heaney, whose early life in Antrim shaped his nature-infused poetry.
Antrim:
Introduction – 1837 – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Castles – Contact list – Dining – Equestrian –Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Instagrammable– Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies –Musicians – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random facts – Restaurant Awards – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Writers
Poets
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
