The Meath Writers' Circle (3) October 2011

Tommy Murray

A winner of numerous awards for his poetry and short stories Tommy Murray is a founder member of The Meath Writers' Circle and has published many books over the years. This is the latest of a series of video poems uploaded here and if you scroll back you can view some of the others and well worth the trip as they say. "Counting Stained Glass Windows" which was a selection of some of his most popular poems was published by Lapwing of Belfast in 2009 and those on local history published by "Nonsuch" are well worth adding to your collection especially if you have any connection to Meath or the surrounding area. More information on the author can be had by clicking over on The Meath Books website to your right. 

Poems from Phizzfest

Poems from Phizzfest

A copy of the above arrived in the post last week and it was a welcome visitor in that it included a  fee for the use of one of my poems. A good way to start the day! The Phizzfest had its inaugural outing in 2010 and this year saw the launch of their poetry award. The booklet contains the winning and runner-up poems as well as a  generous selection of some of the entries received and many of the names here would be familiar or have been guest readers at different poetry events in the county. One to watch out for next year and hopefully it goes on to bigger and better things. Continued success! 

Winner: From The Dart/ Ann Dempsey.

Runner-up: The Watch/ Maurice Devit. 

Runner-up: Out Of The Shade/ Maureen Gallagher. 

Boyne Berries 10 Autumn 2011

Boyne Berries 10

Book Cover

Picked up a copy of this in Antonia's bookshop in Trim last week and it is an impressive looking collection. Beautifully produced it includes contributions that are both local and much further afield and is a special celebratory issue that includes both pictures and images as well as the usual prose, poems and drama, if I might borrow a word or three from the back cover. On a once through the stand-outs seem to be local, though I might be influenced by the familiar and the images seem to lend a certain something. On a second read, one or two of the others were coming into contention but the favourites were still the same. Worth getting for Michael Farry's "The Hawk's Rock", Brendan Carey Kinnane's "Tomorrow", Orla Fay's "O Sonho do Mar" and Susan Connolly's "At Ellie Vaughey's Grave, Hill of Slane". The image across from this is perfect and I managed to get a photograph myself once though not as well framed. Some of the other images though could have done with their own page or smaller on the page. Can be purchased at Antonia's Trim or just click over on The Boyne Writers' Site for details. Price €12 Euro and a must!  

The Meath Writers' Circle (2) October 2011

Michael (The Sheriff) Sheils

Michael reads a poem here called "Riverdance" which is not about the dance group that has kept us entertained for years but rather about the meeting or confluence of the rivers Boyne and Blackwater in Navan Town. Michael has a number of other videos posted here and if you click over on his website you can watch some readings from the Small Impact Writers' Group at the launch of their Calendar in aid of the homeless. He also has some videos posted on youtube and was recently interviewed for Provence Five TV in Navan.  

The Meath Writers' Circle

Willie G. Hodgins

Willie here reads a poem that was written by Louise Scott and dedicated to himself. Louise was the winner of a number of awards a while back and published a book of poems called "The Lightkeeper and other poems". Willie has a number of videos posted here including "Changing Seasons, Me and Maths, Lucy and My Schooldays" and as well his own book of poems "Sunflower" came out about a year or so back. Google for further info! 

"The Gods of the Copybook Headings" by Rudyard Kipling (poetry reading)

This is the poem I read in Trim Library for National Poetry Day and for those who asked me here it is! It was written in 1919 by Rudyard Kipling just after the great war and before the great depression, not to mention world war two and where we've ended up now. Kipling is no longer the most politically correct of poets and few people would share the sentiments, social engineering being the order of the day, and why not you may say! But maybe best to plough the middle ground. Great poem though!

With thanks to youtube and SpokenVerse!

All Ireland Poetry Day/Trim Library 2011

All Ireland Poetry Day/Trim Library 2011

Tom French

James linnane

Jimmy Peppard

Crowd Scene

Tommy Murray

A crowd of around twenty turned out last night at Trim Library to celebrate All Ireland Poetry Day in what was an interesting mix of both the modern and poetry that we should have learned when we were going to school. Or should that be remembered! Anyway there were some great poems read and Tom French handed out copies of his, which was a good idea.  Jimmy Peppard recited some from memory including poems about fishing and the battle of the Somme, and another in commemoration of 1798 which was very good indeed. Tommy recited a couple of his own and myself not being politically correct I brought along Rudyard Kipling. Good company all round. Just too many to mention and maybe next year someone will bring out a chapbook of poems read on the night, or something like that! 

Photos: Some of those attending!

Poetry Ireland/All Ireland Poetry Day Meath 2011

All Ireland Poetry Day/Meath 2011

To celebrate the above Tommy Murray of The Meath Writers' Circle is holding a poetry reading in the Trim Town library on Thursday the 6th of October at 7pm and all are invited to attend. Favourites from the old school books are the order of the day, though if you are so inclined I'm sure something a little more recent might be entertained. Tom French of The Meath County Library will host the event and it is sure to draw a large crowd so come early! If you check over on the Poetry Ireland website you can get details of other events around the country, just click on the link opposite. See you there!  

Photo: Two members of The Meath Writers' Circle~Tommy Murray and Jimmy Peppard~at The High Nellies outside Jack Quinn's Pub at Scurlogstown Trim (Year?)