Shancoduff

From ZuluNotes - Free Leaving Cert Notes

'Shancoduff' is a poem written by Patrick Kavanagh. According to Antoinette Quinn, this was Kavanagh's "favourite poem among his thirties lyrics". In it, Kavanagh portrays the desolate, foreboding landscape of his small farm. Yet, the poet's love and admiration for this place is evident throughout as he makes it obvious to the reader that it is part of who he is.

Title

Shancoduff is an anglicised spelling of the Irish Shanco Dubh (possibly coming from "sean" - pronounced shan - meaning old in Irish and "dubh" - pronounced dove, like the bird - meaning black). The name refers to Kavanagh's north-facing farm in County Monaghan that he inherited. The title is very relevant as it conveys the poet's personal use of placenames and his remarkable sense of ownership, which serve to make the poem more accessible to the reader.