The Contender ~ Jack Doyle.

 The Contender ~ Jack Doyle.

From a someone who made it all the way to 'The Contender', a song that was written about Jack Doyle by Jimmy MacCarthy. Jack Doyle was known as 'The Gorgeous Gael' and stood 6'5" and was a contender for the British Heavyweight title as well as being a fine tenor and actor. Jimmy MacCarthy is probably Ireland's finest songwriter and there are many versions of this song out there, the most well known would be by Christy Moore. I went for the above because of the lyrics and he stays with the original ones. The video was loaded by Diarmuid O' Flynn and with thanks. Tells its own story.

*Jack Doyle:  1913 - 1978 

Katie Taylor ~ The Final Ring Walk.

Katie Taylor ~ The Final Ring Walk. 

In words that have captured Heaney and Oscar Wilde, into an explosion of noise and starlight,

following in footsteps names that have graced this playing field for more than one hundred years. Katie Taylor made her final ring walk. 

To DAZN for their visual spectacular. To Youtube for the comments.

*Have to add, great commentary on ring walk.

 

The 28th Francis Ledwidge Poetry Award 2026!

  Poetry Award 2026

Trophy and Cash Prizes

 1^st Prize is the Ledwidge plaque (a keepsake) inscribed with the winner’s name & cash prize.  Cash prizes and books for Second and Third and merit certificates for finalists.                 

 In addition, the winner will be invited to read at the annual Francis Ledwidge Commemoration at the National War Memorial Gardens in July 2027         

 Rules : The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into following the results; entry implies compliance with this rule.  

Poems must be the competitor’s own work

not previously published or broadcast.

Poems should not exceed 40 lines of type

Name and address and telephone number on a separate sheet.

Entry fee:single entry- €8 per poem; 3 for €20

Max. 6 poems (€40) payable to the Inchicore Ledwidge Society

 

 Cheque, or Revolut to 0851965473. For online entries copy & paste Email address which is the same for PayPal: (L for Liam underscored)   l_omeara@yahoo.co.uk

  Poems will not be returned.

All entries must be submitted before 29^th October 2026 to

              The Francis Ledwidge International Poetry Award 2026,

C/o 20, Emmet Crescent. St Vincent Street West

 Inchicore, Dublin,  D08XEY9, Ireland

 Liam O' Meara

SaveAs Writers' Creative Writing Competition 2026!

SaveAs Writers' Creative Writing Competition 2026!

 Dear all,

This years SaveAs Writers' Creative Writing competition is now open for entries.

 

To celebrate 150 years since the first ever telephone call made by Alexander Graham Bell, SaveAs Writers invite you to submit poetry or short stories with this theme: 'Lines of Communication'.

Please click on link below for full details-

https://saveaswriters.co.uk/all-competitions/lines-of-communication-2026.html

The deadline for entries is September 30th so start writing!

Please forward on if possible and good luck!

Best wishes

Luigi

http://www.saveaswriters.co.uk/

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ September Meeting 2026!

 The Meath Writers' Circle ~ September Meeting 2026!

The next meeting of our writing group takes place this Thursday night coming on the 3rd of September at 6.15 pm in Trim Library and all are welcome to attend. Admission is free and we'd love to see you there whatever your interest. So whether your into poetry or prose or music or just want to sit in and listen for a while, then why not! Hope to see you there.

Verona Pentony ~ Peace Walk!

Verona Pentony ~ The White Rose of Peace Walk.

 Verona has been part of the peace movement for many years and the above gives information of her initiative with regard to a peace walk for 2026 and all are invited to take part; wherever they are in the world.  A writer and artist she was secretary of the Meath Writers' Circle for many years and was a corporate and business manager both in Ireland and abroad. 

Dolly Parton sings in Páidi O' Sé's Pub in Kerry.

Dolly Parton sings in Páidi O' Sé's in Kerry. 

One of the greats of country music meets one of the greats of Gaelic football. I believe the year was 1990. The man on guitar is Steve Cooney and with Séamus Begley on button accordian. Believe it or not I have never watched this before. With thanks to 'paidiosekerry' who loaded. Before/after the performance he presented her with his All Ireland jersey from 1985 when he captained the Kerry team.