I'm a night owl living in a lark's world!

Poet Victoria Kennefick, who grew up in Cork and lives in Kerry, is the Cork County Council Writer-In-Residence. We talk to her about her life and loves

About Victoria:

Victoria Kennefick grew up in Cork and lives in Kerry. Her debut collection, Eat or We Both Starve (Carcanet Press, 2021), won the Seamus Heaney First Collection Poetry Prize and the Dalkey Book Festival Emerging Writer of the Year Award. It was shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize, the Costa Poetry Book Award, Derek Walcott Prize for Poetry, and the Butler Literary Prize.

She was the UCD/Arts Council of Ireland Writer-in-Residence 2023 and Poet-in-Residence at the Yeats Society Sligo, 2022-2024. She is the recipient of an Arts Council of Ireland Literature Bursary.

See www.victoriakennefick.com Twitter: @VKennefick

Where were you born?

I was born in the Bon Secours hospital in Cork. I grew up in Shanagarry with a year-long sojourn in London when I was seven… with my family, obviously. I was independent but not that independent.

Where do you live?

The beautiful and vibrant town of Tralee in Co. Kerry. I won’t hear a word against it.

Family?

Large and loving.

Best friend?

My younger sister, Louise.

Earliest childhood memory?

Running through a field of nettles to avoid jumping over a few.

Person you most admire? Myself.

Person who most irritates you?

Myself.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

My brain never takes a holiday, although there once was a cottage…

Favourite TV programme?

I am very much looking forward to season two of Severance.

Favourite radio show?

Arena on RTÉ Radio One.

Your signature dish if cooking?

I am a truly excellent and deeply appreciative guest.

Favourite restaurant?

Café Paradiso and the Quay Co-op in Cork city.

Last book you read?

Mothersong (Picador, 2023), by Amy Acre.

Best book you read?

Ariel, by Sylvia Plath.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

Roach, by Miya Folick.

Favourite song?

One of my current favourites is Good Fortune by PJ Harvey.

One person you would like to see in concert?

Ella Fitzgerald and Idles, though not necessarily together. Scratch that. Definitely together.

Do you have a pet?

Two cats, Odette and Odile. They are sisters and deeply odd.

Morning person or night owl?

A misplaced and misguided night owl living in a lark’s world. I need to change my feathers.

Your proudest moment?

Any time I manage to successfully regulate my nervous system and respond to a situation instead of reacting. Also, the publication of my first book, Eat Or We Both Starve (Carcanet Press, 2021) and my second, Egg/Shell (Carcanet Press, February, 2024) which can be pre-ordered now. Also, the birth of my child. Not necessarily in that order.

Spendthrift or saver?

Money burns a hole in my pocket, but I keep manifesting it.

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

An arthouse cinema and late-night café.

What makes you happy?

Loving people.

How would you like to be remembered?

Of course, I have no say in this, but I would like for those that I leave to know how much I love them, even beyond death. Especially beyond death.

What else are you up to at the moment?

I am very excited about my new role as Cork County Council Writer-in-Residence. I’ll be working with writers in five libraries across the county, including Mitchelstown, Kanturk, Carrigaline, Cobh and Bandon. I’ll also be hosting and facilitating several writing events and readings during my tenure which runs until September, 2024.

MORE ABOUT THE WRITER IN RESIDENCE

Cork County Council are excited to announce the appointment of award-winning poet, Victoria Kennefick to the position of writer in residence for a ten-month period beginning this December.

The writer-in-residence collaborates with communities in the county, improving access to literature and creative writing workshops.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank O’Flynn, said; “We are delighted to be collaborating with a writer of Victoria’s calibre. Her experience and enthusiasm for writing in all its forms will lend itself to a very successful residency.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring writers and readers in the county to engage with a published writer. With this residency, we aim to promote creative writing and reading contemporary literature in the community. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of this residency.”

A key aspect of the Writer in Residence programme is the use of local library branches as centres of creative writing. During her residency Victoria will work with five branches in the county, Bandon, Carrigaline, Cobh, Kanturk, and Mitchelstown. Victoria has proposed an exciting programme of engagement with writers’ groups, community groups, young people, as well as online engagement.

Victoria brings a wealth of experience in teaching and creative writing facilitation to the role. She was the UCD/Arts Council of Ireland Writer-in-Residence 2023 and Poet-in-Residence at the Yeats Society Sligo 2022-2024.

Victoria says, “I am delighted, as a Cork woman, to be returning to my native county to collaborate with writers, students, and readers in developing and enriching their relationship and engagement with literature.

“Cork County Council has provided me with many opportunities as an emerging writer in the past. It is an honour to pay this support back in this way and I am looking forward to meeting and collaborating with writers all over the county.”

Her debut poetry collection, Eat or We Both Starve (Carcanet Press, 2021), won the Seamus Heaney First Collection Poetry Prize and the Dalkey Book Festival Emerging Writer of the Year Award. Her poems have appeared in Poetry Magazine, New England Review, PN Review, The Poetry Review, Poetry London, Poetry Ireland Review, The Stinging Fly, and elsewhere. Her second collection is Egg/Shell (Carcanet Press, February 2024) and is available for pre-order now. She is currently working on her first novel.

The residency is managed by Cork County Council Library and Arts Service. This position is supported by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and Creative Ireland.