The Roman satirist Martial is brought up to date by a partner in mischief in Kennelly's Martial Art.

In brief punchy poems he tries to define happiness, with candour and playful compassion. Kennelly's Martial is a sharp, visionary writer: savagely attentive and bitingly articulate.

Available in paperback or special cloth edition.

Brendan Kennelly is one of Ireland’s most distinguished and best loved poets, as well as a renowned teacher and cultural commentator. Born in 1936 in Ballylongford, Co. Kerry, he was Professor of Modern Literature at Trinity College, Dublin for over 30 years, and retired from teaching in 2005. He has published over 30 books of poetry, including Cromwell, Familiar Strangers: New & Selected Poems 1960-2004, Glimpses, The Man Made of Rain, Martial Art, Now, Poetry My Arse, When Then Is Now, and The Book of Judas (which topped the Irish bestsellers list). All these are available separately from Bloodaxe, the latter shortened to The Little Book of Judas. His latest collection is Reservoir Voices (Bloodaxe Books, 2009).