18 Facts About Patrick Galvin

Patrick Galvin was an Irish poet, singer, playwright, and prose and screenwriter born in Cork's inner city.

Patrick Galvin's mother was a Republican and his father a Free Stater which gave rise to ongoing political tension within the household and later informed his well-loved poem "My Father Spoke with Swans" and his autobiographical memoir Song For a Poor Boy.

Patrick Galvin had grown up during the time of the Spanish Civil War, influenced by his mother's Republican politics and later discovered a great affinity with the Andalusian poet, Federico Garcia Lorca; these influences are evident in his epic poem about Michael Collins, 'The White Monument'.

Patrick Galvin's childhood ended dramatically when he was sent to Daingean Industrial School, noted for its abuse of young people in its care.

Patrick Galvin travelled widely during this period going behind the 'Iron Curtain' to East Germany as a troubadour.

Patrick Galvin began to publish poetry in many leading English and Irish journals and he co-founded and edited the literary magazine Chanticleer.

Patrick Galvin was given the reputation of being the "Enfant terrible of the Irish Theatre" by one Irish critic.

Patrick Galvin came back to Ireland in the 1960s but, unable to adapt to the conservatism of that time, he returned to London and spent intervals abroad in Israel.

Patrick Galvin's groundbreaking play We Do It For Love broke all box office records for an Irish play at the Lyric.

Patrick Galvin's final play at the Lyric, My Silver Bird, was an operetta based on the life and times of Grace O'Malley, dramatically culminating in the battle of Kinsale and the fall of the Gaelic order.

Patrick Galvin later went to live in Spain where he completed his fourth collection of poetry Folktales for the General.

Patrick Galvin returned to Cork in the 1980s and he began to work on his memoirs Song for a Poor Boy, Song For a Raggy Boy and Song for a Flyboy.

Patrick Galvin was Writer in Residence with East Midlands Arts, DunLaoghaire Rathdown Council, Portlaoise Prison and finally with University College Cork where he was awarded a Doctorate of Literature in 2006.

Patrick Galvin travelled widely giving readings of both his prose and poetry, much of which is recorded in the Library of Congress in Washington.

Patrick Galvin was married four times, divorced three times, and had three sons and two daughters.

Patrick Galvin had one daughter, Christine Bygraves, from his first marriage.

Patrick Galvin was next married to Stella Jackson, and then for 27 years to Diana Ferrier, with whom he had two sons, author Patrick Newley and film director Liam Galvin.

Patrick Galvin's widow died a few months after his death.