Jim Craven was the Bard of Balregan, the Druid of Dundalk and the Laureate of Louth - he was the epitome of the Irish poetic presence at his death in 1980.

Jim's writings tested the waters and covered a full range of themes and forms, but returned always to traditional subjects and traditional renderings. 

"Totally Dynamic Genius"....John B. Keane

Craven celebrated the momentous events of town and country - the courting of a blacksmith's daughter, the innocence of a Galway man's infant, the death of a murdered friend.

He was both nature poet, singing of first springs , daisies and the harvest moons, and curse-hurling satirist, spewing venom on hard-hearted Civil Servants and creature-comforted clergy.  But, for all that, he was lovely and alone, and he suffered terribly for his art, tortured by a deep sensitivity of soul and a public that sometimes sneered at sensitivity.

I was often moved and easily moved

and the people laughed and the dance went on

And the song continued and I was left

Alone in the arms of emotion

I was often sad, but who cared,

I was often mad when inquisitive stares

In public places searched my eyes

And face for a thing to satirize