A pioneering study of women poets exploring the four laureate roles of the United Kingdom and Ireland Includes case studies of Gillian Clarke, Carol Ann Duffy, Liz Lochhead and Paula Meehan Re-values the authority of poetry by women Considers how poetry can be both nation-building and promote cultural internationalism Explores the treatment of poetry in the school curriculum The concurrent tenures of Gillian Clarke as National Poet of Wales, Carol Ann Duffy as UK Poet Laureate, Liz Lochhead as Scots Makar, and Paula Meehan as Ireland Professor of Poetry, defied historic rifts between women, poetry and nation. This book explores the extraordinary changes these women fought to achieve as each made her way from marginalised 'poetess' of the 1970s to laureate at the heart of cultural establishment in the 21st century. It looks at how they revitalised these public offices, and explores their interventions in contemporary geopolitics and national self-understanding. It considers how they shaped their roles by engaging with poetic icons of the past, by linking poetry and education, and by joining poetry with politics.