We begin the week here on My Poetic Side with a look at those individuals connected to poetry who made it to the 2025 New Years’ Honours list and the funding that has been granted for a home for an iconic Gaelic poem.
New Year’s Honours 2025
The publication of this year’s list of New Years’ honour recipients saw a huge number of individuals honoured for their services to the community. In total, 1200 people were recognised for their work in the community, contributions to entertainment, sport, the arts or a wide range of other categories.
This year’s list included a number of poets. Imtiaz Dhaker who is an artist and video filmmaker as well as a poet was awarded an OBE for services to the Arts. Dr Julie Blake and Dr Timothy Shortis were both awarded OBEs for their services to Education through their co-directorship of Poetry by Heart.
Founded 10 years ago, Poetry by Heart is a National Poetry speaking competition aimed at schools and colleges across England. They also have a website-based resource aimed at helping schools to teach poetry by heart and out loud to help foster a love for poetry at a young age.
Funding Granted to House Isles Poet’s Iconic Poem
The Scottish government has granted £165,000 to turn Carinish Old School into a new centre for culture. The centre will house the original manuscript of a First World War poem that was penned by Dòmhnall Chorùna from North Uist. The centre will be on his native island.
The poem ‘An Eala Bhàn’, was written by Chorùna when he was recovering from the injuries he sustained during the Battle of the Somme. It is known as the White Swan.
The funding, which has been ringfenced by North Uist’s Historical Society, will make it possible for the general public to see the poem as it was written by the poet. The poem is considered to be one of the most powerful laments on the fruitlessness of war.
The poem, which was later set to music by the poet, talks about the sweetheart he was hoping to return home to marry after the war and is a testament not only to his enduring love for her but also for the island that he was from. It is considered to be one of his best-known works. It was also voted as being the greatest Gaelic song of all time. This was arrived at after a BBC poll. The poems has recorded as a song several times too.
The poem and a number of items belonging to the North Uist Historical Society, which are currently in storage, will go on display in the centre as soon as it is completed. The centre will also enable people to learn about the heritage and history of the island from the Middle Ages to present day.
Despite seeing action in both the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Loos, Dòmhnall Chorùna survived the First World War. He was, however, once knocked unconscious when he was hit by an artillery shell. In addition, he was shot in the arm by a German snipper but received treatment and was able to return to North Uist following the war. He did not marry his sweetheart though as her father did not approve of the union. He eventually went to work as a stonemason and continued to compose and write poetry.
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