Jim MacCool (born 1954) is a British dramatic poet in the shanachie or travelling bard tradition.
His shows typically combine his singing of Irish or Scots folk ballads, such as "The Belle of Belfast City" or "Whiskey in the Jar", a poetic recitation and a Celtic drum performance.
MacCool is the founder and patron of Britain's National Poetry Month and in August 2006 was named poet-in-residence for Dudley, West Midlands.
[2] One story told of a boxer's greed, drug abuse and the revenge of his lover that left him in a wheelchair, while the second told of Sawney Bean and his wife Black Agnes, who dabbled in witchcraft and cannibalism at the time of King James VI of Scotland.
Over a twenty-five year period, Jim visited more than 2400 educational establishments, both at home and abroad.