Poetry and music in 'The Heart of Summer'

Poetry Ireland and the Office of Public Works (OPW) have announced a new partnership to bring the finest poetry and music to Ireland’s great historic houses in a series of events called 'The Heart of Summer'.
Olivia O’Leary, journalist and presenter of the RTÉ Poetry Programme, will introduce the performances in three of the OPW’s historic properties beginning in Emo Court in Co Laois.
On Saturday 7th July at 6pm, Olivia O’Leary will be joined by poets Kerry Hardie and Pat Boran, as well as uilleann piper David Power in Emo Court in Portarlington, Co. Laois. Emo Court House is one of architect James Gandon's neo-classical masterpieces. Set in lush parklands, the house is surrounded by beautiful gardens, a lake, woodland walks and many fine trees and shrubs. 
Kerry Hardie is an award-winning poet and writer. Her seventh collection, The Zebra Stood in the Night, was published by Bloodaxe Books in 2014 and shortlisted for the Irish Times Poetry Now Award. Poet, writer and broadcaster Pat Boran is one of the best-known of his generation of Irish poets. Along with Gerard Smyth, he edited the bestselling anthology If Ever You Go: A Map of Dublin in Poetry and Song, the Dublin: One City, One Book designated title for 2014. Uilleann piper David Power travels the world as a solo musician, as well as in duos with fiddlers, Martin Hayes and Willie Kelly and in collaborations with many other artists. He has three solo uilleann piping recordings, the first two released by Claddagh Records.