Yours is the Earth by Ciara Ní É
Commissioned Poet: Ciara Ní É
To celebrate the resilience and achievements of the graduates of 2020 and Spring 2021, DCU hosted the June Celebration, a series of events over five days at the Helix. This occasion gave graduates the opportunity to experience an in-person graduation ceremony, despite having received their official parchments via post.
Ciara Ní É
As a special memento to mark this milestone, DCU commissioned a poem titled "Yours is the Earth" by poet Ciara Ní É. This poem captures the youth, vibrancy, and innovation that DCU stands for. It acknowledges the unique challenges faced by students graduating during a pandemic and serves as a call to action, encouraging them to embrace life fully.
During the graduation ceremonies, a video of "Yours is the Earth" was shown, and each student received a limited edition printed keepsake of the poem as they crossed the stage.
Ciara Ní É, who served as DCU Irish Language Writer in Residence in 2020, was deeply affected by the Covid-19 pandemic's impact on university life. She was commissioned to write this uplifting poem to mark the end of those challenging lockdown years and to inspire the graduating class as they embark on their future journeys.