Meet Cáit O’Neill McCullagh, a poet whose journey into poetry began three and a half years ago, at the end of the first nine months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many others, McCullagh turned to poetry as a means of articulating experiences too complex to document otherwise. Poetry became her way of making sense of grief, confusion, and the rapid transitions in her ways of working and living.
McCullagh’s creative process is both spontaneous and disciplined. ‘When it comes to the act of getting a poem from pencil to page, I write swiftly. However, there is a hinterland to this deluge, which might involve days and weeks of gathering from whatever stimulus has begun germinating the kernel of a poem.’ This approach allows her to explore and expand upon these initial sparks, even though not every attempt blossoms into a poem. Moments of seeming disappointment fuel her creation rather than deter it.
Inspiration for McCullagh often springs from the unexpected and whimsical. ‘A line from a dream, or an overheard conversation, or emerged from whatever chamber of the subconscious throws words to us as companions; a sensation, image, memory, or fictive memory.’ These sparks of creativity are nurtured by vivid dreams and the rhythm of life. McCullagh’s writing sessions are often accompanied by music or the profound works of poets like Édouard Glissant, a Caribbean post-colonial writer whose thinking has deeply influenced her.
The sanctuary of McCullagh’s creativity is her home in the Highlands above the Cromarty Firth. This setting, with its inhabited fields, forest, and expansive skies, provides a rich backdrop for her writing. Despite the challenges posed by her illness and rural isolation, she remains deeply connected to the world around her. The rhythms of days and seasons, the migrations and behaviors of local wildlife, and the variabilities of weather and nature are integral to her creative process.
McCullagh’s poetry is a testament to her belief in viewing the world from multiple perspectives. Her collections, such as The Songs I Sing Are Sisters and the forthcoming The Bone Folder, reflect a life deeply felt and meticulously observed. Diagnosed with cancer on the day Russia invaded Ukraine, McCullagh drew parallels between her personal battle and larger global struggles. This introspection led her to explore her family’s history during the Irish Rebellions and Civil War in the 1920s, blending personal and historical narratives into a cohesive poetic tapestry.
For McCullagh, poetry is inherently social. It is a way to connect with others, share the truthfulness of her experiences, and engage in a dialogue with herself and her readers. She actively seeks connection through social networks, reading other poets, and engaging in workshops and readings. These interactions enrich her understanding and add layers of meaning to her work.
Cáit O’Neill McCullagh’s poetry invites readers to pause, reflect, and find their own connections within the rich, nuanced worlds she creates. Her work is an ongoing exploration of human experience, a blend of personal and collective narratives that resonate with depth and authenticity.
‘I burned too fire licking the breath from me like it was whiskey like a turf tumbled’
Cáit O’Neill McCullagh
When the Glaswegian pop/rock band Texas came to Liverpool, there was a distinct air of excitement! This was a sold-out concert, with
Ross Willis’ Wonder Boy is a heartwarming and inventive play that explores the struggles of Sonny, a young boy overwhelmed by a
On the 24th of October, Tepid Days, the alt-rock project helmed by the relentless Jamie Roberts, are dropping their debut single The
The Broken Spine is a poetry and arts collective proudly published on the coastal edge of North-West England. Founded in 2019 by Alan Parry and Paul Robert Mullen – two school friends reunited after twenty years through a mutual love of poetry.
