The Lament for Art O' Leary (Caoineadh Airt Uí Laoghaire)

 The Lament for Art O' Leary (Caoineaidh Uí Laoghaire)

This is an award winning film from UCC (Houston International Film Festival 2018) which tells the story of Art O' Leary who was murdered during the Penal Laws in Ireland in 1773 for the fine possession of a horse which he refused to sell. Much more to it than that but I'll let the film tell you the story. Loaded by UCC and with thanks though the comments are turned off so you'll have to go to Wikipedia or other sources for further information. The lament or poem has come down the ages. 

The Annals of the Four Masters ~ Ireland's Greatest Medieval Chronicles!

The Annals of the Four Masters ~ Ireland's Greatest Medieval Chronicles! 

For another exploration of should be known to all but is little taught or was in our everyday school books. Loaded by 'Echoes of Ireland - Uncovering Local History' and with thanks. To Youtube for comments and further information.

The Annals of The Four Masters!

The Annals of the Four Masters! 

A little bit of history for a Monday afternoon. Always meant to have a run through this.

Ireland's Greatest Medieval Chronical.

Loaded by Mike 0' Laughlin and with many thanks.

To Youtube for the comments.

Will get back to this for a more in depth account!

Pete St. John ~ Dublin Poem!

Pete St. John ~ Dublin Poem!

Dublin has had more than a few ballads and poems written about it over the years but here's one that I hadn't come across before. This artist needs absolutely no introduction and has written some of the finest songs about Dublin, remembering its people and places. He is probably best known for composing, 'The Fields of Athenry' which gets a fair old outing at international football games, but there are many more. He was born Peter Mooney but the name above is the one everyone knows him by. The above video was loaded by Phil Martin and with thanks. To Youtube for the comments and Wikipedia for further information

*Pete St. John ~ 31st January 1932 - 12th March 2022

 

Feis Teamhra 2026/A Turn at Tara 2026!

Feis Teamhra /A Turn at Tara 2026!

 Hosted by Susan McKeown and Paul Muldoon the closure of our National Heritage Week brings the author Jan Carson, poet Annemarie Churreáin and the singer Inni-K to the Visitor's Centre on the Hill of Tara on Sunday the 23rd of August between 3pm and 5pm. Supported by Poetry Ireland and the Office of Public Works admission is free and all are welcome to attend so for a family day out, where better. Many of Ireland's greatest artists have performed here over the years and with no ticketing in advance - just show up!

* See the Poetry Ireland website for a list of some of the artists who have performed here.

The 13th Warrior ~ A Viking Prayer!

The 13th Warrior ~ A Viking Prayer!

Ahmad ibn Fadlan an emissary of the Caliphate of Baghdad (921AD) dispatched to the Bulgars witnessed a Viking funeral where a girl was to be sacrificed with her Viking chief who had died and as she stared into certain death recited a poem that was recorded by Ahmad,

This poem was adapted for the film 'The 13th Warrior' in 1999, a film that was based on the Michael Crichton novel, 'Eaters of the Dead' (1976). The film was not a box office success at the time. The prayer went viral.

Lots of information and other details on the Web and definitely worth a read. Funny thing is I came across it in an old Irish book of poems. (Mind playing tricks) The video was loaded by Sulo King and with thanks.

 

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ August Meeting 2026!

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ August Meeting 2026!

The next meeting of our group takes place on this Thursday night coming the 6th of August at 6.15pm in Trim Library and all are welcome to attend. We'd love to see you there and whether your interest is in poetry or short stories or music in songs or you're thinking of writing the great novel or whatever your interest is then why not drop in for a couple of hours. Admission is free and we're hoping to have something out for Christmas. Hope to see you there.