The Battle of the Books.

Battle of the Books.

Inebriated by the exuberance of their own verbosity,and late of the King's Library, and even later of Trim, the Royal and Ancient Order of Scribes, will gather one week hence at the said Castle to debate on whether contemporary learning has surpassed anything at all! May the best team win. Tickets are €25 Euro each and available from The Trim Swift Committee. I borrowed the opener from Benjamin Disraeli who had a lot to say on such things. More info at http://www.boynewriters.com/ and follow the links. Such is the seriousness of this, I had difficulty in finding an image suitable and had to settle for less.


Before I go I have to mention a competition worth keeping an eye out for next year. The Jonathan Swift Creative Writing Awards in Saggart Co Dublin, (where I had some little success) is worth a look in. The standard of the short stories was something else. Signing off.

Photo: Clouds over Meath.

Opem Mic Knightsbridge.

Open Mic.

The readers at the third open mic at the Knightsbridge Village hall were Trim Poet Tommy Murray and country gentleman George Briscoe. Tommy read many of his prize winning poems including " Tobertynan Wood" and "The Famine Trilogy" touching lightly on the republic of greed and a little humour thrown in for good measure. George Briscoe is a natural born storyteller and read extracts from his memoirs, "The Best of Times" and " Running On". Bought a bridge over the river Boyne for sixty pounds. I daresay for another five he could have bought the railway off them. The plan going forward you might say.

Photos: Tommy Murray at Jack Quin's (High Nellies 2008)

Cover: Running On/ George Briscoe.

Golden Wonders!

Before I get back to posting a few poems, there's one other book I have to mention. "Golden Wonders" by Colum Cromwell. In his own words this is a book about life in his native parish Skryne in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, working in the public service and activities within the GAA. Where he became chairman of the Meath County Board as well as a delegate to the Leinster Council and other bodies within the organisation. But it is more than that, it is a collection of stories and characters the like of which you will not see again and an age that is gone. I don't know whether you can get a copy in the bookstores, but take it out of Meath County library and enjoy. Recommended!

Photo: Book cover. The Hill of Skryne.