Patrick MacGill



Patrick MacGill (24 December 1889 – November 1963) was an Irish poet, journalist, and novelist, known as "The Navvy Poet" because he had worked as a navvy before he began writing.

Life
MacGill was born in Glenties, County Donegal.

During World War I, MacGill served with the London Irish Rifles (1/18th Battalion, The London Regiment) and was wounded at the Battle of Loos on 28 October 1915.

MacGill wrote a memoir-type novel called "Children of the Dead End".

Recognition
A statue in his honour is on the bridge where the main street crosses the river in Glenties.

An annual literary summer school is held in Glenties in mid July each year in his honour.

In early 2008, a docu-drama starring Stephen Rea was made about the life of Patrick MacGill. One of the film's locations was the boathouse of Edinburgh Canal Society at Edinburgh on the Union Canal, and one of its rowing boats. See also`