The Puddler Poet: The Life, Times and Poetry of Michael McGovern is a thoughtful and moving book which shines a light on a remarkable Galway man and the life he carved out far from home.
Published in 2025, the book was written by the late Jim Fahy, the much-loved broadcaster, journalist and former RTÉ Western Correspondent, who was born in Kilrickle, South Galway, on November 21st, 1946, and died in Tuam on January 14st, 2022.
The book tells the story of Michael McGovern, who was born in Williamstown in 1847 and later emigrated, first to England and then to the United States, where he worked in the steel mills of Pennsylvania and Ohio. It was there that he became known as the ‘Puddler Poet’ – the title coming from his work as a puddler, a skilled and demanding job in the iron and steel industry.
But McGovern was far more than a labourer. He was a poet, an artist and a strong voice for working people. He wrote about hardship, injustice and the rights of workers, but also about Ireland, nature, love and faith.
McGovern published Labor Lyrics and Other Poems in 1899, and is believed to have written more than 1,500 poems, many of which appeared in American newspapers.
What makes this biography especially compelling is the way the late Jim Fahy weaves together the many strands of McGovern’s life – his upbringing in post-Famine Ireland, his emigration, political involvement, family tragedies, artistic gifts and literary output.
Fahy approached the subject not simply as a biographer but as a storyteller and social historian, allowing McGovern’s poetry to illuminate the man himself.
The book’s roots lay in a chance meeting in Tuam in January 2017, which led Jim and his wife Christina to Williamstown Bog Road and, ultimately, to this project.
Following Fahy’s much-lamented passing, others helped bring the manuscript to completion, making the completed book not only a tribute to Michael McGovern, but also a fitting final chapter in Jim Fahy’s own distinguished journalistic legacy.
Where you can get the book
The hugely successful launch of the Michael McGovern biography by the late Jim Fahy, the renowned RTE broadcaster, was held in the Sports Complex in Williamstown.
There was a massive crowd and a very positive atmosphere. The feedback for the book is most encouraging. The biography is currently available at €20 from Sharkey’s Spar, SNJ Cafe, and the WDC office (all in Williamstown). It is also available in Books ‘n’ More and Pat Lane Shoes (both Tuam), Charlie Byrne’s bookshop and Kenny’s bookshop (both Galway), Newsround (Roscommon), Mulvihill’s Newsagents, Castlerea, the Bookshop (Westport), Ballintubber Post Office and Alan Hanna’s bookshop (Rathmines, Dublin). It can also be purchased directly from Leo Finnegan (086 1603043) and (finneganleo100@gmail.com). If there is postage/packaging involved, this costs €6 (Ireland), €12.50 (UK) and €23 (USA).
