Introducing Our First Blog Contributor: Barbara Derbyshire
We are delighted to welcome local poet and writer Barbara Derbyshire as the first contributor to our new blog at Kerry Writers’ Museum.
Based in North Kerry, Barbara is a talented poet and short fiction writer with a deep-rooted passion for storytelling. Her work explores themes of identity, place, and the human experience, often drawing inspiration from the rich literary heritage of Listowel.
Barbara has been an integral part of the local creative community, contributing to various literary projects and events. In this piece, she shares her journey into writing, her inspirations, and what storytelling means to her. We are thrilled to showcase her voice as we embark on this exciting new chapter for the Museum.
Read Barbara’s full blog post below and join us in celebrating the power of words and creativity.
Barbara Derbyshire is an author of short fiction and poetry. Originally from London and now an Irish citizen, her home is in Moyvane, North Kerry, where, with more time to think, observe and remember, she has rediscovered her love of writing.
The year was 2002 and I landed in South Kerry the same time as the Euro. Being near to Kenmare, I felt I had woken up in heaven. I lived half way up a mountain, with views to die for. Life had never been so good. Then, something planted the thought in my head that this was not the place to be. So, with my then partner, our dog and cat, I moved to France. For a while I was cursing whatever planted that idea, because France was a miserable existence for us all and that beautiful house in South Kerry now belonged to an American couple.
I longed for Ireland.
Not having a South Kerry budget, I found a house in Moyvane, close to Listowel, and we all moved in. After a couple of years we parted, and I was in Moyvane with the cat and the dog. I spent time exploring the landscape of North Kerry.
Beale and Littor Strand were my daily walks with the dog and I was relishing my independence and new found life in a village.
My dog passed away in 2014 and I began to write again. I had written snippets of poetry here and there and the odd short story for my own amusement. I had never considered I would have so much to say once I found the time to say it.
I joined a writing group in Tralee, just to dip my toes into the water. Then I joined the Just Write group in Listowel, where I really learned how to swim! With members of that group, I attended poetry events, but kept my mouth firmly closed when it came to open mic time! I loved to listen to my new friends reading and I would go home and read my work aloud to the cat, who slept through it all.
As time passed and I met more and more wonderful writers, I showed up at book launches and open mic sessions. I still could not read to an audience bigger than the writing group.
One day, I was at a group meeting which was attended by John McGrath. I read a story called My Chair to the group and, as I was leaving John said “If you ever want to publish your work, come and see me.” To my cynical English head this was like someone you meet on holiday in Tenerife saying, “if you are ever passing this way again come in for a cuppa.” He couldn’t possibly be serious.
A few months later, I was at the Old Convent in Ballybunion celebrating Bealtaine with my friends in the Active Retirement Association and John was there. “Well?” he said, “have you thought any more about publishing?”
That started a friendship like no other. I had lots of work written by this time and in November 2016, I published Tapestry of Love, Life and Spirit – my first collection of short stories and poetry. I say “my first” because I have published two more collections since then: Leaving Echoes (2019) and Bicycles, Swings and Love (2022).
I launched the first and second books at the Kerry Writers’ Museum and I can honestly say that the launch day of Tapestry of Love, Life and Spirit was the best day of my life. I remember sitting in the café at the Writers’ Museum, signing books. I noticed a lot of people coming in and thought to myself, “Cara must have another event on here today” – but when I was called away from the book signing into the main room, I saw them all in the audience for my launch. It was the most humbling and breathtaking experience I had ever known.
At the end of the launch, John told me I had to say something to the audience. Still racked with nerves and shock, I stood up and said “I am overwhelmed” – And then I sat down again. By the time my third book was launched, you couldn’t shut me up when it came to thanking and acknowledging people!
Barbara at her Book Launch in Kerry Writers’ Museum.
After these experiences, I didn’t think the Writers’ Museum could be any kinder to me….
…until the launch of New Beginnings, the Listowel Visual Artists’ Collective’s first exhibition in January 2024. New Beginnings was an exhibition with a difference, which invited local artists and local writers to produce art together. It fired up so many imaginations and sparked many friendships. The idea was that the artist would paint a picture inspired by a poem or piece of prose from the writer. The result was an exhibition which took over both St John’s Theatre and the Writers’ Museum. It was a wonderful project, conceived by the leader of LVAC, Louise Lynch.
I wrote a poem inspired from a painting by the artist, Bernadette Rowe. Painting and poem went onto the wall of St John’s, and I have to say I was delighted to be a part of this.
LVAC Artist Bernadette Rowe and Barbara in front of Bernadette’s painting and Barbara’s poem on display as part of the Listowel Visual Artist’s Collective collaborative exhibition ‘New Beginnings’, that took place in St. John’s Theatre & Arts Centre in January 2024. The painting and poem were titled “S”.
In July of 2024, a Dublin-based musician, Patrick stefan, was awarded the role of Musician in Residence in Listowel for four months. His residency was going to culminate in a concert at St John’s. During that time, Patrick was going to be holding workshops, mainly focusing on the autistic community in Listowel. He was also going to be writing songs, based on local birdsong and the poetry of a local poet. He looked at the LVAC exhibition and the poet he chose to work with was me.
I was shocked, scared, did all I could to give it to someone else, saying “I don’t know anything about birds” and “don’t think I’m the right person for this job” along with other self-doubting idiotic thoughts. But Patrick emailed me saying he really liked my poem at the exhibition and could we meet.
As soon as I met him and talked with him, we were able to formulate a plan that suited us both and saved me (and the birds) from embarrassment. He sent me a playlist of songs that he liked, and I picked a few of them that inspired me and wrote some poetry for him. His plan was to put the poetry to music. He was performing a concert at St John’s on Hallowe’en night and would premiere his new songs.
So, the concert, Shapeshifting came into being.
During the evening, Patrick performed the songs he had written during his residency in Listowel. Apart from two of the poems I had sent him, he gathered inspiration from the great John B. Keane, and we were treated to musical versions of some of his poetry. It is beyond mad that my poetry is even mentioned in the same room as John B’s – let alone the same concert platform.
To hear your poetry set to music is an experience that everyone should have. For me, it added a dimension I could never have hoped to have achieved on my own.
Also, during the evening, Tommy Hayes, a Music Therapist, played bodhran and gave the audience an overview of what his work entailed and the special guest of the evening, Sharon Rollston, CEO of Music Ireland, said a few words about Patrick, his residency and the concert. I was also honoured to be on stage to read two Hallowe’en-inspired poems. So, I owe a massive thank you to Patrick for not letting me off the hook.
Patrick stefan, Shapeshifting concert in St. John’s Centre and Arts Centre in Listowel
To think that this amazing experience sprung from my fortuitous collaboration with Bernadette and LVAC.
Now, LVAC has another artists-meets-writers collaboration in store for 2025 and I am beyond excited to see where that leads me this year. I’m sure it won’t be to another concert with Patrick stefan, but I hope it will see a poem and a painting side by side on St John’s beautiful stone walls.
Meanwhile, I will continue to attend the many meetings at the Kerry Writers’ Museum – Poetry in the Park, First Thursday Open Mic, The Seanchai Writers’ meetings, the Just Write creative writing group. And for the warmth and shelter from the rain for a mighty cup of coffee and a scone.
I’m learning to walk fearlessly through every door of mystery and wonder and I want to thank Marian and John, Cara, Máire and Louise for finding those doors and keeping them open for me.
Listowel – where stories begin, where friendships endure and where opportunities are where you least expect them to be.
Collections:
Tapestry of Love, Life and Spirit, published in 2016Leaving Echoes, published in 2019.
Bicycles, Swings and Love, published in 2022
Anthologies:
Striking A Chord, (2016): with North Kerry Writers.
Please Hear What I’m Not Saying (2018): A poetry collaboration for MIND.
The Galway Review 6 (2018): Printed Edition.
Still In The Dreaming (2018): Kerry County Council Publication
The Galway Review 11 (2023) Printed Edition