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A Hollywood Star Reads My Poems


A Hollywood Star Reads My Poems

The closest I’ve got to fame is vicariously, through my late brother Peter Caffrey, who was a well-known actor in Ireland and beyond. I’d follow him onto film and tv sets, to theatres big and small and, Peter being Peter, to many a wild party. In his early days, which coincided with the same for many who have gone on to wider acclaim, I got to peep behind his coat tails at people like Jim and Peter Sheridan, Liam Neeson, Gabriel Byrne. When I organised a memorial evening for Peter in aid of the Irish Hospice Foundation, Gabriel was one of the first to respond to my request for a paragraph to put in the souvenir programme.

That was more than ten years ago and when, recently, I was in search of endorsements for the back of my forthcoming poetry chapbook (The Untethered Space, published by 4Word Press) it was a distant memory. My first request to a well-known poet was politely (and understandably, given that they are inundated with same) turned down. I wondered if I knew anyone famous, not necessarily a poet, whose name would have recognition beyond the world of poetry. Gabriel came to mind, and before I could dither too much and lose my nerve, I sent an e-mail off more in hope than expectation. Back came the reply the same day that he would, of course, read the manuscript.

I was over the moon, couldn’t quite believe it, but sent it off and waited in some trepidation. He loved it, and was generous enough to write something for the blurb. He also went beyond the call of duty, and read my short memoir “Still Life”, a link to which is in my gmail signature. Not many people do that unprompted, and I am always touched when they do.

Today is Gabriel’s 70th birthday. He is, to quote Joxer Daly in Juno and The Paycock, a daarlin' man.  Happy birthday, Gabriel Byrne. May your shadow never grow less.

Still Life may be read here:  

https://thegalwayreview.com/2016/05/12/carol-caffrey-still-life/


If you would like to buy a copy of The Untethered Space (£5.99 plus postage) you can order it from the publisher (4Word Press) at this link https://www.4word.org/titles/ or by using the Buy Now button below.




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