10 Must-Read Derek Mahon Poems

Derek Mahon (1941–2020) was a renowned Irish poet known for his formal precision, lyrical wit, and exploration of exile, history, and nature. Born in Belfast, he studied at Trinity College Dublin and the Sorbonne. His acclaimed works include “The Snow Party” and “A Disused Shed in Co. Wexford.” Often compared to W.H. Auden and Louis MacNeice, Mahon balanced classical influences with modern anxieties. A member of Aosdána, he won numerous awards, including the Irish Times Poetry Now Award. His poem ‘Everything Is Going to Be All Right‘ became symbolic of resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. He passed away in 2020.

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Kinsale

‘Kinsale’ is a short but powerful poetic rendering of the titular port twon which explores themes of hope and optimism.

Mahon is known for his precise language, evocative imagery, and ability to contrast turmoil with tranquility. 'Kinsale' reflects his signature style, offering a meditative retreat from conflict. His work often explores themes of displacement, resilience, and the search for peace, all of which are present in this poem.

The kind of rain we knew is a thing of the past -

deep-delving, dark, deliberate you would say,

browsing on spire and bogland; but today

our sky-slue slates are steaming in the sun,

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As it Should Be

‘As it Should Be’ is a powerful and telling satirical take on the violence that plagued Northern Ireland for decades.

Mahon’s unique style is evident in 'As It Should Be,' where his controlled, restrained language adds weight to the chilling exploration of violence. His ability to tackle politically charged themes with nuance and irony showcases his skill as one of Ireland’s most compelling poets.

We hunted the mad bastard

Through bog, moorland, rock, to the star-lit west

And gunned him down in a blind yard

Between ten sleeping lorries

And an electricity generator.

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After the Titanic

‘After the Titanic’ offers a unique character study into an important historical figure but also explores how people handle disaster.

Mahon’s signature themes—exile, guilt, and psychological turmoil—are central to After the Titanic. He often writes about isolated or disgraced figures, and in this poem, he gives voice to J. Bruce Ismay, a man condemned by history, capturing his emotional distress with precise, evocative language.

They said I got away in a boat

And humbled me at the inquiry. I tell you

I sank as far that night as any

Hero. As I sat shivering on the dark water

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Everything is Going to be All Right

Derek Mahon’s ‘Everything is Going to be All Right’ is a short, reassuring poem that reminds readers to find calm and hope even in the middle of dark and difficult times.

This is one of Mahon's more popular poems, if not the most popular. It is known today especially because of the message of hope it conveyed during the pandemic of 2020. In many ways, it increased Mahon's audience at this time just months before he passed away.

The sun rises in spite of everything

and the far cities are beautiful and bright.

I lie here in a riot of sunlight

watching the day break and the clouds flying.

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Grandfather

‘Grandfather’ offers a moving and memorable portrayal of a man who pushes back against his old age right up to the end.

Mahon’s hallmark precision and evocative imagery are evident in Grandfather. His focus on personal history and the passage of time aligns with his broader exploration of identity, family, and heritage. The poem reflects Mahon’s characteristic ability to balance personal reflection with universal themes.

They brought him in on a stretcher from the world,

Wounded but humorous; and he soon recovered.

Boiler-rooms, row upon row of gantries rolled

Away to reveal the landscape of a childhood

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The Chinese Restaurant in Portrush

‘The Chinese Restaurant in Portrush’ offers tantalising clues about important issues without ever commiting to them.

Mahon’s signature ability to blend the personal with the universal is evident in this poem, where he reflects on cultural dislocation and the quiet moments of life. His attention to small, telling details captures the atmosphere of the Chinese restaurant and its significance.

Before the first visitor comes the spring

Softening the sharp air of the coast

In time for the first ‘invasion’.

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Ecclesiastes

‘Ecclesiastes’ by Derek Mahon explores faith, identity, and tradition, questioning rigid beliefs and the personal cost of devotion.

‘Ecclesiastes’ captures Mahon's ability to blend personal reflection with broader societal themes, using striking imagery and subtle irony. Mahon often focuses on themes of identity, tradition, and existential questioning, which come through clearly in this poem. His exploration of faith and its complexities is a recurring thread in his poetry, making this a strong example of his distinctive voice.

God, you could grow to love, it, God-fearing, God-

chosen purist little puritan that,

for all your wiles and smiles, you are (the

dank churches, the empty streets,

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Day Trip to Donegal

Derek Mahon’s ‘Day Trip to Donegal’ is a lyric about a speaker’s trip to the titular town and the melancholic feelings that soon follow the trip.

'Day Trip to Donegal' is one of Derek Mahon's more popular poems. Although, like many of his poems, it marks the common theme of isolation, this poem is presumably more famous because of the time period in which Mahon wrote it. At this time (the 1960s), he was on the rise to becoming a seasoned poet. This was one of the poems (among many in his collection) that etched his name among great Irish poets specifically. It was even more remarkable at least at the time given he was (presumably) still a college student.

At dawn I was alone far out at sea

without skill or reassurance — nobody

to show me how, no promise of rescue —

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Rathlin

Derek Mahon’s ‘Rathlin’ shows how the island’s quiet beauty contrasts with its tragic past, reminding us that history never truly fades.

This poem captures Derek Mahon’s signature blend of history, nature, and deep reflection. His poetry often explores time’s passage, human suffering, and the beauty of isolated landscapes. In this poem, he weaves past violence with the island’s eerie calm, much like his other works that balance history with present-day observations. If you enjoy this poem, you’ll likely appreciate Mahon’s ability to turn forgotten places into powerful meditations on memory and change.

“A long time since the last scream cut short -

Then an unnatural silence; and then

A natural silence, slowly broken

By the shearwater, by the sporadic

#10

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Antarctica

‘Antarctica’ by Derek Mahon is a poem that takes a look at the events of Captain Oates’ self-sacrifice in Antarctica.

Derek Mahon often wrote poetry with a strict structure. This is very evident in this poem, where the structure of the villanelle style of poem is used to highlight specific parts of the poem that the poem thinks are most important.

‘I am just going outside and may be some time.’

The others nod, pretending not to know.

At the heart of the ridiculous, the sublime.

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