86-year-old Wexford man's book of paintings and poetry to be launched in New Ross pub

Seán Miley, aged 86, is preparing to launch a book of compiled works containing poems he gifted to family members over the years. The collection was assembled by his grand-niece, Rose Guy, and includes approximately 30 poems from a larger body of work he estimates at about a thousand. Seán began composing at age 13 and continues to write based on his thoughts and dreams rather than a single recurring theme. His poetry often uses rhyme and covers many aspects of life. He highlights a favorite poem focused on pantomime pioneers, including Seamus Furlong and Michael Fleming, and plans a launch at the Theatre Tavern. He feels somewhat nervous but looks forward to the gathering at 6pm on Friday, May 29.

"The Compiled Works of Seán Miley was put together by Seán's grand-niece, Rose Guy, who gathered some poems he gifted to family members over the years. "The book came as a big surprise to me," said Seán, while talking to the New Ross Standard about the upcoming launch. "It's a lovely gesture," he added."

"Seán's love of poetry dates back to his early teens, when he first started composing at the age of 13. He said he has created "about a thousand poems" since, but there's approximately 30 in this book. His poetry has no particular running theme, although it has rhyme, but it's mainly based on his thoughts throughout his life to date. "It covers nearly everthing, the things I think of and what I sometimes dream of," he said."

"When asked abou this favourite poem, there was a difficulty to settle on the top seeded, however, Seán highlighted one particular poem which has a focus on Pantomime Pioneers. "It gives a little account of all the pantomime pioneers such as Seamus Furlong and Michael Fleming, especially the men, in the pantomime in the olden days. Some of them were very famous."

""I loved being involved in the pantomime myself, and so the Theatre Tavern is very fitting for the launch," Seán said. Although Seán's "a bit nervous" he said he's looking forward to the gathering that will get under way at 6pm on Friday, May 29. "I haven't neglected any of the poems. I put them all down good or bad, so it's up to somebody else to judge whether they're good or bad," he concluded."

Read at Irish Independent