The Sprig of Green ~ Joseph Bradford!

The Sprig of Green ~ Joseph Bradford!

 

Came across this one by accident and hadn't heard of it before. It tells the story of an Irishman at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862 and the Irish Brigade's assault on the Confederate lines on Marye's Heights which ended in a decisive victory for the South. Incredible back story to it as well, whichever side you believe. I know I've mentioned or remarked on it before but given the number of Irishmen who fought on both sides in this war there is very little mention of them here on this side of the Atlantic or indeed the part they played in the American War of Independence. Strange you might say! But I'll leave that to the historians. There were Irish Brigades in almost every war you could think of over the past few centuries, which brings me to an excerpt from a poem by Emily Lawless.

'War battered dogs are we
Fighters in every clime
Fillers of trench and of grave
Mockers, bemocked by time
War-dogs hungry and grey
Gnawing a naked bone
Fighters in every clime
Every cause but our own'

Emily Lawless
1845 - 1913
Clare Coast 1710.
With the Wild Geese 

*The above video was loaded by Dirigo History Project and with thanks. 

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure!

 An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure/Ardbraccan Navan.

Good afternoon all.

Can I remind you that our next Poetry Session is on Tuesday  27th October  2026

at 7.30pm in An Tobar. 

The theme is Halloween / Afterlife

or anything that takes your fancy.

In November we have our book launch on Friday the 20th at 7pm in An Tobar.

Feel welcome to invite your friends to the evening. 

They will have an opportunity to purchase

a great Christmas gift for their friends 

We wish Navan Library Writers Circle all the best

with their exciting launch of Solstice Rising tomorrow evening

Thursday 22nd Oct in the Solstice Arts Centre beginning at 7pm.

Best wishes 

Jim.

Launch of Crannóg 65 ~ September 2026!

 Launch of Crannóg 65 ~ September 2026!

The Launch of the Crannóg 65 Magazine took place at the Crane Gallery in Galway on September the 24th and the event was filmed by Silent Cinema of Galway. The magazine is available from the Crannóg website or from any bookshop or online bookshop. Please enjoy.

Poetry: Open Mic Trim Library!

 Poetry: Open Mic Trim Library/October 2026!

Just a reminder that the above continues on this Tuesday coming the 20th of October and all are welcome. Details as above!

Navan Creative Writers: A Sunburst of Prose and Poetry.

 Navan Creative Writers: A Sunburst of Prose and Poetry.

The launch of Solstice Rising - 'A Sunburst of Prose and Poetry' will take place in The Solstice Arts Centre in Navan on Thursday the 22nd of October at 7pm. The price is €10 and all are welcome. Poet Tom French will do the honours. 

Boyne Writers Group ~ Time is Patient.

 Boyne Writers Group ~ Time is Patient . 

Made it into Trim last night for the launch of an anthology celebrating twenty years of the Boyne Writers Group which is edited by Frances Browne and by Michael Farry, with an introduction  by Michael who was one of the founder members. During that time they have published writers from all over the world as well as those that are more local or of national prominence. One of the most successful writing groups in the country they are still organizing open mic sessions and last night's launch in the Swift Theatre was a continuation in that venue. The cover art work is by Rory O' Sullivan who designed the later covers when Orla Fay was the editor of their literary magazine, 'Boyne Berries'. Rory is sadly is no longer with us as are a number of others. The earlier art work was by Greg Hastings when Michael, or an editorial board produced the magazine and many of the fine videos and other projects were by Paddy Smith who was there for the celebration. A copy of the above can be had from any member of the group.  

Cheltenham Poem ~ ITV Racing 2018!

Cheltenham Opening Poem by Simone Mansell Broome. 

Look I know it's not that time of year but I came across the above and though I'd load anyway. Simone Mansell Broome is a Welsh born poet and writer and into many other interesting things as well. Now maybe it's me but there doesn't seem to be too many good poems on the subject of sport or horse racing and the above is a celebration of the Irish and their love of the Cheltenham races. So there! Loads of information about Simone if you go looking and the video was 'posted' by Roger Broome with thanks. Check out.