The Irish poet Micheal O’Siadhail is admired and quoted by leading theologians. He has published 16 collections of poetry, and was awarded an Irish American Cultural Institute prize for poetry in 1982 and, in 1998, the Marten Toonder prize for Literature.

The Five Quintets was published this year in the UK by Canterbury Press. It received the Conference on Christianity and Literature’s 2019 book of the year award. 

In a review published in August in the Church Times, Martyn Halsall writes: “In The Five Quintets he explores modernity, the philosophical currency evaluating Western thought for the past four centuries. From its demise emerges the insistent question: “What follows?” O’Siadhail brings a lifetime’s reading and analysis across many disciplines, together with formidable lyrical enthusiasm, an expansive linguistic palette, and a restless imagination, to suggest an answer of philosophical artistry and spiritual grace.”

O’Siadhail visited London last month, during which time he spoke at Westminster Abbey alongside Lord Blunkett, a former Labour Cabinet minister. 

The next day, O’Siadhail gave a reading from The Five Quintets at Highgate School, in north London, to an audience of pupils, staff, and guests. Thank you to Highgate School for allowing the event to be recorded for the podcast. It was introduced by the school’s Head of Religion & Philosophy, Robbie Leigh.

The Five Quintets is available to buy from Church Times Bookshop for £15 (25 per cent discount on the rrp).

Click the play button above to listen to this podcast. You can also listen to the Church Times Podcast on the Church Times app for iPhone and iPad, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and most other podcast platforms.