Jonathan Swift

Jonathan Swift

Jonatham Swift was made Vicar of the small parish of Laracor outside Trim in County Meath in 1700, or to borrow from another description he secured a living from such. In an age when the pen was as mighty as the sword and possibly so because  honour was held in some esteem, as opposed to today when it is held in none the writings and opinions or those who would consider themselves your betters was not to be dismissed lightly. Swift, having the advantage of coming from Ireland where satire was and still is a normal means of communication though often now reduced to bouts of mere colic or bellyaching, (whimsical notions) was bound to make enemies. His sojourn or removal to the "wilds" of Meath was something he seems to have found more than a little enjoyable though and his association with the town is celebrated today in an annual festival which is held every year and attracts visitors from all over the world. A small distance out on the Summerhill Road are said to be the remains of "Stella's Cottage" (Esther Johnson) who was his lifelong friend and companion and remarkable or at least remarked upon that it is not signposted or if it is, difficult to find. Below are a few lines of a fine poem penned by Tommy Murray.

"The thatch has given way
To bramble, sprig and sky
And by the rough door wild potatoes pose

For puzzled passers by

So what ghost stands there now?"

From "Stella's Cottage" by Tommy Murray.

Gulliver's Travels has ensured that the writings of Jonathan Swift are not about to fade off into the distance for some time to come. The latest adaptation is available in more than a few dimensions and is coming to a cinema somewhere near you! Below are a couple of links to Spokenverse. Worth a look!

A Description of The Morning.click here

A Beautiful Young Nymph Going To Bed.click here

With thanks to Google Images and YouTube and SpokenVerse.