Bards to Fontains DC ~ Ireland's 2000 - Year Poetic Tradition!

 Bards to Fontains DC.

 

This video was loaded by 'Boru Video' so with a lot of thanks. Will get back to it with personal comments over the next few days but I've had a quick run through and it looks more that interesting, or at least if you want to put the history of Ireland and our poets or poetry in any sort of context. So looking forward to going through it slowly. Will get back!

*Fine video above and on  that should probably be on the school curriculum, as few today have any real knowledge of  a culture and tradition that almost disappeared  in the last few hundred years. While writers such as W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory and others of the Celtic Revival have been credited with picking up the threads, which they did, it was the success of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem in America that really brought it home to our general public and in a time when our national broadcaster thought it was in the Home Counties and still does to some degree. This also applies to at least some our regional broadcasting stations today. The Fontaines DC have millions and millions of streams, so will have to chase that up a bit more. 

Paddy Mayne ~ I Keep Waking Up!

Paddy Mayne ~ I Keep Waking Up. 

A conversation with a ghost. From the television series 'Rogue Heroes'.

Poetry all the way.

*To Youtube and Wikipedia.

With thanks to 'Crashment' who posted.

The Gift of the View ~ Orla Fay!

The Gift of the View ~ Orla Fay.

Orla Fay is an award winning and widely published poet from Dunderry in County Meath and her new poetry collection will be launched by Michael Farry in the Swift Cultural Centre in Trim on Sunday 31st of May at 6.00pm. Orla was the Poet Laureate (Poetry Town) for Dunshaughlin in 2021 and was the editor of the literary magazine Boyne Berries for many years. She now edits her own online and hard copy magazine at Drawn to the Light Press, which is both excellently presented and laid out, but also easily accessible. Her poetry just doesn't reflect on the world that's around her but also has the insight to make some very keen observations and the thread of virtues such as kindness is never far away. She can craft together a piece on any subject presented and her new collection 'The Gift of The View' is sure to offer new perspective.  

 

Christy Moore ~ Viva La Quinta Brigada.

Christy Moore ~ Viva La Quinta Brigada.

Christy Moore is one of Ireland's leading performers and  is probably the most important, if only for the stance he has taken on many controversial issues over the years where others were afraid to stand up. Banned by the National broadcaster for his song about the Stardust tragedy he was stopped and detained by the Special Branch at Hollyhead with regard to some of the lyrics in his songs. Here he sings about the Irishmen who fought in the Spanish Civil War and this was after he was inspired by a book he read on the subject. He was also instrumental in stopping a nuclear power plant from going ahead at Carnsore Point in Wexford. You could go on and on. He was born on May 7th in 1945. So happy birthday there. This video was loaded by 'StoptheWarCoalition'. Amen to that. To Youtube for the comments and many other videos. 

 * The absolutely excellent guitar playing is by Declan Sinnott.

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ May 2026!

 The Meath Writers' Circle ~ May 2026.

The next meeting of our group takes place this Thursday night coming in Trim Library at 6.15 pm and new members are always welcome. So whether you write poetry or prose, short stories or novels or just play a little music now and then, we'd love to see you there. Membership is free and the Library facilities are excellent. All the best. FM. 

Bealtaine Explained!

Bealtaine Explained!

Something for the day that's in in and a little explanation for those of us who may not be too familiar with the wheel of the year from Celtic mythology. From Candlelit Tales and with thanks. 

 

Would You Jump Into My Grave As Quick by Paula Meehan!

A warning to all of ye by Paula Meehan. Loaded by RamboEire and with thanks. Paula Meehan is one of Ireland's leading poets and playwrights and was installed as Ireland Professor of Poetry by President Michael D. Higgins in 2013. Many other honours and credits to her name and a visit to Wikipedia and Youtube is a must.