Poet and author of Shades of Red and A Butterfly's Wing
Poems of memory, place, colour, grief and renewal.
Watch introduction
Revival Press
A deeply personal collection exploring loss, love, family, memory and separation across the Irish landscape. Moving between the intimate and the public, the poems find beauty and meaning in both everyday moments and wider social concerns.
Also available in-store at Hodges Figgis, Dublin.
Arlen House · 2013
This debut collection of poetry focuses on issues of loss, love, friendship, Irish society and emigration.
Vivienne McKechnie was born in Dublin and lives in Limerick. She holds an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Limerick and has taught English and Creative Writing in Dublin, Kenya, and Limerick.
Her debut collection, A Butterfly's Wing, was published by Arlen House (2013). Her poetry has appeared in The Stony Thursday Book, Revival, Washing Windows: Irish Women Write Poetry, and Windharp: Poems of Ireland since 1916.
She edited Dream of a City (2014) and co-edited A Last Loving: Collected Poems of Maeve Kelly. Her poem 'Today' was featured on the Leaving Certificate English exam. She serves on the Limerick Literary Festival committee.
Stuff of Dreams was commissioned by Joseph O'Connor for Dreams, an anthology celebrating 50 years of Creativity, Culture and Community at the University of Limerick, edited by Joseph O'Connor, Eoin Devereux and Sarah Moore.
In 2026, Vivienne was appointed editor of the 2027 edition of The Stony Thursday Book, one of Ireland’s longest-running literary publications.
Read the review“Shades of Red is expansive and richly varied, making for a satisfying and serendipitous experience for the reader”
Read the review“Throughout the collection, time appears almost as a character in its own right.”
Watch highlights from the launch of Vivienne McKechnie’s latest collection.
Watch launch videoNow I linger, looking longingly at every winged being, knowing the impossibility of a hug, knowing the fragility of love, knowing the swiftness of life's flight. Now thinking of you in the earth, I see you everywhere. You, who did not lie down willingly, but who life took in a sudden stroke. I, who could only stroke your hand and watch appalled as you slipped the noose of life and left me numb. You were silent and elusive, transient as the butterfly which appeared at your funeral. It rose delicately out of the lilies which adorned your coffin allowing me the poise and sustenance of a sudden beauty to read for your departure. Now I linger, looking longingly at the Painted Lady which touches the petal of the rose and realize that in the fragility of a butterfly's wing there is strength enough to fly.
Vivienne McKechnie is available for readings, workshops and literary events. She welcomes invitations from festivals, libraries, universities and community literary groups.
A light-hearted lunchtime event with the Limerick Yukealadies and poet Vivienne McKechnie.
Booking recommended.
Event details & bookingVivienne served as guest external judge for the 2026 Gerald Griffin Competition for First Adult Fiction and announced Joan Cronin as the winner for her novel A September Haircut.
View event postVivienne McKechnie and Jo Slade will read from their newest collections, Shades of Red and Once.
Free admission · Booking essential
Event detailsFor enquiries about readings, events, press, or the books, please send an email directly.
For readings, workshops, press enquiries or information about the books, email directly. A response will follow as soon as possible.