A singular Irish voice translates Dublin lives

Exile is a two-edged sword. It allows you a unique perspective on your homeland, but it also means your work can be forgotten there. Although included in major anthologies, Irish poet Michael O’Loughlin has remained for many years, in Colm Tóibín’s words, “a hidden voice in Irish writing; his exile in Europe has given him dark insights into our own exile in Ireland”.

Back in 1980, O’Loughlin was just 22 when he published ...