Vivienne McKechnie

Poet and author of Shades of Red and A Butterfly's Wing

Poems of memory, place, colour, grief and renewal.

Poetry

Books

Shades of Red

Revival Press

In this deeply personal collection, Vivienne McKechnie traces the contours of loss and love across the Irish landscape. From the horror of Tuam's unmarked graves to the tender goodbye at Shannon Airport, from beloved pets laid to rest under apple trees to children building lives across oceans, these poems map the geography of memory and separation. Whether exploring family trauma, climate crisis, or the simple magic of a half moon before a music exam, she finds beauty and meaning in both the monumental and the everyday. Shades of Red is a collection about the distances between us — between parent and child, past and present, human and animal — and the love that persists across every gap.

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A Butterfly's Wing

Arlen House · 2013

This debut collection of poetry focuses on issues of loss, love, friendship, Irish society and emigration.

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About

Vivienne McKechnie

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.

A poem

Selected Excerpt

Now 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.

— From A Butterfly's Wing · Vivienne McKechnie

Readings & Workshops

Events

Vivienne McKechnie is available for readings, workshops and literary events. She welcomes invitations from festivals, libraries, universities and community literary groups.

No upcoming events are listed at present. Please check back soon, or get in touch to arrange a reading or workshop.

Get in touch

Contact

For enquiries about readings, events, press, or the books, please send an email directly.

viviennemckechnie@gmail.com

For readings, workshops, press enquiries or information about the books, email directly. A response will follow as soon as possible.