The Long Weekend

From saints' days to Halloween and the many other celebrations on the Irish calendar, this collection of poetry from Rita Ann Higgins sets a tone for all seasons. Featuring bank holiday poems as heard on RTÉ Radio, such as 'Lúnasa' and 'Coming Out of Winter', and others like 'My Mother Loved Me in Red', 'The Púca', 'Visiting My Father at Christmas' and 'All Souls' Day', The Long Weekend leaves no question that Rita Ann Higgins is the people's poet. 'The people's poet. She's magic. She's a one-off.' Brendan O'Connor 'A haunting, beautiful collection of poems that commands attention and bears witness to life's struggle. This collection confirms Higgins as one of our greatest poets.' Elaine Feeney 'A work of immense thoughtfulness.'Susannah Dickey

Rita Ann Higgins is a writer from Galway. She has published 11 books of poetry including Throw in the Vowels, Ireland is Changing Mother and Tongulish. Rita Ann has also written essays, plays and screenplays. In 2021 she received The Living Poets Society Award. She was shortlisted for Ireland Professor of Poetry in 2022. She is a member of Aosdána.