A Meath Anthology

A Meath Anthology

If you were to ask most people in this part of the county for a verse or two with some connection to Meath you'd probably get "When the Yeos were in Dunshaughlin..." and it makes it into this collection. A gathering of poems that, to borrow from the editor, allows high art to rub shoulders with both folk song and popular street ballad. Or something along those lines. Though you could remark on a number of ballads or songs that didn't make it in, Dick Farrelly's "The Isle of Innisfree" or "The Old House" of Josef locke or John McCormack fame to name but two. The latter has a connection to Oldcastle though I'll probably end up being told it has no connection to Meath at all. The good thing about this book, and not only on the poems collected, in that it includes notes and biographical ones, but that it was badly needed. Having said that there are a number of writers and writer groups around the county that didn't make it in, and some fine poems there as well.. Tommy Murray makes it in with "Shanlothe" and Eamon Cooke with "Headford Place in May". The focus seems to be though, of others looking in on some aspect or other and that is necessary given the names and reputations, but a further volume maybe? This is one for your collection. Edited by Tom French and with an introduction by Patrick Duffy it is priced at €20 euro and a must! Now if someone would write a history of this place.

Photo: Book Cover.