Colum, Padraic (1881–1972)

Irish poet and dramatist. Born in Longford, he was educated at University College, Dublin, and in 1914 emigrated to the USA, where he lived in Connecticut for most of his life. Colum was associated with the foundation of the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, where his plays The Land (1905) and Thomas Muskerry (1910) were performed. His Collected Poems (1953) shows his gift for lyrical expression.

Other volumes of verse include Wild Earth (1907), The Story of Lowry Maen (1937), and The Poets Circuit (1960). His play The Fiddler's Horse was first produced in 1907. He also wrote many books for children and edited anthologies of Irish verse and folklore.

When Colum first moved to Dublin, he joined the ‘Irish Renaissance’ group of writers, which included W B Yeats, J M Synge, and Lady Gregory. His plays brought a realistic note into the Abbey Theatre's repertoire, whereas his poetry is concrete and lyrical. With James Stephens and Thomas MacDonagh, he founded the Irish Review, editing it 1912–13. In 1914 he visited the USA and eventually settled in Connecticut, but towards the end of his life he moved back to Dublin. He and his wife Mary wrote a volume of literary reminiscences of James Joyce in 1958.