Siobhán de Paor.

Siobhán de Paor.

Although I've driven past The Hill of Ward many times, which is close to Athboy in Co. Meath, I've never actually visited the site. Worth a look here as Siobhán ventures her own insights into our place in the scheme of things and with a little hypnotic drumming at the end. Our emigrants going to America and other places brought the customs and stories of Halloween with them and it's now become a major cultural festival both here and in other parts of the globe if that's the term to use on the day that's in it. All the way to the silver screen. Again thanks to Gabe Saglie. 

 

John Moriarty and Tommy Tiernan.

John Moriarty and Tommy Tiernan.

From Sineád de Paor to Diarmuid Lyng to John Moriarty to Tommy Tiernan; a fair old journey. Described by Diarmuid Lyng as a mystic, John Moriarty was born in Moyvane, County Kerry in 1938 and was educated at UCD in Dublin before teaching English literature at the University of Manitoba in Canada and that just touches on his career. Held in such regard that he is compared to writers such as Joyce, Yeats and Beckett; he lived in County Kerry until his death in 2007. To Youtube for other videos and to Wikipedia for further details. With thanks to jambonsambo who loaded.

John Moriarty: 2nd February 1938 - 1 June 2007

 

Diarmuid Lyng ~ Puca Festival/Trim Co. Meath 2024!

Diarmuid Lyng ~ Puca Festival/Trim Co. Meath 2024!

In the heartlands of South Meath hurling Diarmuid Lyng talks to travel expert Gabe Saglie about the ancient game. A native of County Wexford he was the winner of several personal honours in his sporting career and is the partner of the poet Siobhán de Paor, he was also was the subject of a number of television documentaries. Much more information on him if you go to Wikipedia or to Youtube for his other videos. This one was recorded in the Porchfields in Trim and that's King John's castle in the background. With thanks to Gabe Saglie who loaded.

 

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ March 2026!

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ March 2026!

The next meeting of our writers' group takes place on this Thursday night coming in Trim Library at 6.15 pm and all are welcome to attend. Unfortunately the February meeting had to be cancelled because of weather conditions so hopefully this week's gathering goes ahead in better circumstance. If you're a poet or short story writer, a singer-songwriter or just settling in to write that great novel; then we'd love to see you there. Or maybe you'd just like to sit in and listen. Anyway admission is free and we meet on the first Thursday of each month. All the best. FM.  

Spoken Word on the Hill of Tara ~ Siobhán de Paor!

Spoken Word on the Hill of Tara ~ Siobhán de Paor! 

Came across this one and it has any number of interesting links. From the poet Siobhán de Paor on a visit to Tara in County Meath in July 2021 and back from when you remember 'when'. She is certainly someone worth listening to. If you visit her website at the link below you're in for an interesting journey. With thanks to Siobhán who loaded.

http://saordepaor.com

An Tobar ~ Poetry For Pleasure/ February Meeting 2026!

An Tobar ~ Poetry For Pleasure/ February 2026!

Good afternoon folks,

Our next poetry is on tomorrow evening at 7.30 pm, Tuesday the 24th February.

The agreed theme is: Poems of Protest 

But as usual any poem you wish to share is most welcome.

Also as we discussed at our last meeting we are seriously considering

the production of a booklet/book of poems from the group.

Yes this your chance to see your work in print!

We have a 5 member Editorial Board (EB) 

They encourage you to submit to them unpublished poems

you have composed yourself. 

How do submit your unpublished work to the EB?

They have created a new email address for the purpose: 

Pfpantobar@outlook.com 

All members of the group are very welcome to submit

your best unpublished poems. 

If you have contact with people who no longer come to the group

please let them know they are also very welcome to send in poems.

Looking forward to meeting and sharing poems tomorrow evening.

Slán go fóill 

Jim : 087 967 6728 

The West's Awake ~ Diarmuid O' Flynn!

The West's Awake ~ Diarmuid O' Flynn!

There are many versions of this one out there and it's hard to choose, whether it's by the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem or Damien Dempsey or the beautiful version by Lumiere and you could go on and on; but I went for the above and with thanks to Diarmuid for his recording. Thomas Davis left a legacy that is hard to measure and in the unlikely event that you are not familiar with his work or contributions to the world we live in then a visit to Wikipedia is a good place to begin. I'll finish with - genius,