Poets

James Bernard Dollard was a Canadian poet and priest.

Life

Dollard was born at Mooncoin, County Kilkenny, Ireland, the youngest child of Anastasia Quinn and Michael Dollard. He studied Classics at Kilkenny College, and then sailed to Canada, where he studied for the priesthood, graduating from Laval University as a Bachelor of Theology and Bachelor of Canon Law. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1896, and served as a parish priest in Toronto and Uptergrove, Ontario.

He published his first collection of poetry, Irish Mist and Sunshine in 1906, and a second collection, Poems, in 1910.

Writing

The Globe (Toronto): "The poems of Father Dollard have long been appreciated for their high literary quality, spirituality and Celtic insight. To the scholarly touch of the classicist he adds the magic and vision of the true Celt. Born under the shadow of Slieve-na-mon, dreamful of mystical lore, Father Dollard was early inspired by the beauty and charm and tender melancholy of his native land. Though with a versatile pen he touches many themes, his supreme gift is that of an Irish lyrist."

Recognition

Laval University made him an honorary Doctor of Letters in 1916.