English performance poet Dr John Cooper Clarke has announced a series of Irish gigs, one of which will take place at a fully-seated Olympia Theatre in Dublin on May 9th, 2022.

Featuring special guest Mike Garry, Clarke will also visit Galway's Black Box theatre on May 4th, Cyprus Avenue Cork on May 5th and Dolan's of Limerick on May 6th.

John Cooper Clarke first shot to prominence in the 1970s as the original ‘people’s poet’. His unique writing and rapidfire delivery style was recorded and put to music by legendary producer Martin Hannett and a band of Mancunian superstars, such as Buzzcocks Pete Shelley and The Durutti Columns Vinnie Reilly.

Seminal tracks such as 'Beasley St' and 'Evidently Chickentown' featured on the massive hit album Snap Crackle and Bop, one of four big selling original album releases on Sony Records in the late '70s and early '80s. They established John as one of the most prolific artists of the punk years.

Clarke headlined gigs with support from many soon-to-be superstars, including Joy Division, New Order and Duran Duran. He was also invited to be the special guest of bands like the Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks and The Clash.

His poetry collection 10 Years in An Open Necked Shirt came out in the early '80s on Random House - Penguin, featuring the lyrics to his albums and more original material. It remains one of the biggest selling poetry books in the UK. Since then his career has spanned cultures, audiences, art forms and continents.

These days John Cooper Clarke performs purely as a stand up solo poet. His unique poetry show has been running in theatres worldwide for over 12 years.

John's latest poetry collection The Luckiest Guy Alive was released worldwide in November 2018 via Picador/Macmillan. Featuring over 30 poems, it includes many of his adoring public's favourites such as; 'I've Fallen In Love With My Wife', 'Beasley Boulevard' and 'Get Back on Drugs you Fat F*ck'.

Today, Dr John Cooper Clarke is as relevant and vibrant as ever and his influence just as visible on today’s pop culture. Aside from his trademark appearance continuing to resonate with the fashion world; his poetry included on national curriculum syllabus while his effect on modern music is huge.

His influence can be heard within the keen social observations of the Arctic Monkeys and Plan B amongst many others. Arctic Monkeys putting one of John's best loved poems, 'I Wanna Be Yours', to music on their critically acclaimed, worldwide best selling album in 2013's AM. Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten has also cited Clarke as a major inspiration, which can be seen on the post-punk band's debut album Dogrel and sophomore follow-up A Hero's Death.

Clarke continues to feature on many British TV shows, appearing on 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Have I Got News For You. His frequent BBC 6 Music shows have also opened up a whole new audience for him.

His latest live show, touring across the UK, Europe, USA, Canada & Australasia, is a mix of classic verse, extraordinary new material, hilarious ponderings on modern life, good honest gags, riffs and chat - a chance to witness a living legend at the top of this game.

Tickets from €33.50 including booking fee on sale this Friday at 10am.

Revisit the Hot Press interview with Clarke from January 2011 in Galway here.