The Rebel Jesus - Jackson Browne

For those of a materialistic bent and who's not you might say and now that the new year is upon us here's something that doesn't get too many air plays  these days, or ever did, and is one of the best Christmas songs out there! Enjoy! With thanks to Jackson Browne and the guy who posted.

The Meath Writers' Circle Poetry Selection 2012

Poetry Selection 2012 !

DVD Cover

The above is a selection of some of the videos I recorded during the year and if you happen to be one of those and have not received a copy or were at any of the meetings and would like a copy, just give us a bell or leave a message, but hurry only a few left! Now a Happy New Year to all!!

Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen

A poem for Christmas! With thanks to the guy who posted and of course Leonard. A Happy Christmas to all!

Local Songs & Poems Launch 2012 (Photos)

Pat Farrelly

Dr Antóin McGabhann

Michael Sheils

Dr Antóin McGabhann

Scurlogstown Olympiad Recordings 2012

Local Songs & Poems 2012

Jack Quinn's of Scurlogstown was the place to be on Saturday night last where Dr Antóin McGabhann gave a   speech on the history of traditional music in South Meath and the Cois Tine Folk Lore Group hosted a gathering. Though I have to admit I never progressed much beyond the harmonica I was there to pick up a copy of the above which was recorded at the Haymaking Festival in the Summer. These recordings were made by Ronan Gorry and will be a keepsake for many I'm sure in the years to come. One of the tracks is by Tommy Murray "The Butterfly" and is a fine poem that was published in his last collection by Lapwing "Swimming With Dolphins". Tommy sadly passed away in November. There are others included here who will be familiar to many in the South Meath area and beyond (home or abroad) and if you're thinking of a present for somebody at Christmas or the New Year this could be it. More info at remusgorry@gmail.com or phone 085 7839881. The bookshops in the Trim area are sure to stock copies. Some photos to follow!

Blasts from the Past (Photos)

Blasts from the Past: The Kane Brothers (Photos)

Liam Mulvihill launching "Blasts from the Past"

Family Scene

Michael Farry

Sean Kane

Blasts from the Past "Launch"

Blasts from the Past.

Book Cover

Liam Mulvihill, former GAA director-general was in Trim last night to launch the above titled, a selection of  anecdotes, essays, short stories and poems by Sean, Eugene and the late Fr Camillus Kane. Sean is a long time member of The Meath Writers' Circle and has been writing since the early sixties. His first book was published in 1993 and was a collection of Camillus's poems called "Insights". Eugene joined the Writers' Circle about a year ago though he has been writing now for about ten years now and has a number of poems in this book. Camillus was ordained a Holy Ghost (Spiritan) missionary priest in 1980 and worked in many countries including Ireland, France, America, Papua New Guniea and Kenya. He died in a motoring accident in Kenya in 1987 where he is buried. A large crowd turned out for the event which was held in The Castle Hotel and included dignitaries such as Ray Butler TD, Noel French, director of the Meath Heritage Centre and Michael Farry of the Boyne Writers who read a piece from the book. More info and details on the book if you go to www.thebookproducers.ie. Some photos to follow.

Golden Rhymes Launch "Video"

Tom French

Tom French of the Meath Library reads a poem here by Czeslaw Milosz called "Blacksmith Shop" and compares with Tommy Murray's "The Old Forge". Managed a clip of the second and may post at a future date!

Golden Rhymes Launch (Photos)

Photos, launch (Golden Rhymes)

Michael Farry

Tom French

Crowd Scene Launch of "Golden Rhymes"

Sean Reilly

Golden Rhymes Launch

Golden Rhymes.

Book Cover

Navan Library was the venue last night for the launch of "Golden Rhymes" a selection of poems from The Meath Junior Writers' Group which was compiled by the late Tommy Murray. This is the fifth book to be produced by the group since it was formed back in 1998, the others being "Gemstones, Building Blocks, Rough Diamonds and Paper Trails" and for the past fourteen years they used to meet every Saturday morning in the Library where Tommy encouraged and taught them to write poetry and prose. Many of them went on to win awards and prizes and I'm sure some of them who read their work last night will be around for a while to come. Michael Farry who launched the book gave an excellent speech and you can read the same if you click on the link over to the right. Tom French of the Meath Library Service who chaired the event kept things moving along nicely and the confidence of the readers is a credit both to them and to all concerned. Other readers included members of The Meath Writers' Circle and for anyone who might want a copy I'd imagine a line to Michael Farry or request to the Library would do the trick. Photos to follow!  

The Francis Ledwidge Awards 2012 (Photos)

Photos from Ledwidge Awards 2012.

Som of the crowd at last night's Ledwidge Awards.

Gavan Duffy

Evan Costigan Winner of Ledwidge Award 2012

Michael Farry

Liam O' Meara presenting the awards.

The Francis Ledwidge Awards 2012

The Francis Ledwidge Awards 2012

Marie Cadden Evan Costigan and Denise Ryan

Evan Costigan of The Boyne Writers picked up first prize for his poem "Boy at the Bus Stop" at this year's Ledwidge Awards with second prize going to Denise Ryan for her poem "In Debt" and third place to Marie Cadden for "Up to Scratch". Michael Farry was highly commended at the awards and Honor Duff of the Cavan Lit-Lab picked up a commendation for her entry, so local writers were well represented at the event and I even got a mention myself. Liam O' Meara paid a fine tribute to the late Tommy Murray at the beginning and I have to mention Michael O' Flanagan who included a piece in the latest issue of Riposte. It was also an opportunity to renew old acquaintances and Gavan Duffy who was highly commended himself reminded me our paths have crossed in other places. The Presentation was in O'Donoghues, Emmet Road Inchicore and a good crowd ensured a lively evening. More photos to follow!

The Meath Writers' Circle Video (1) December 2012

Paul Martin

One more of the videos recorded in October, this one by Paul Martin who has a number of others if you scroll a bit further back and worth a listen. Paul has been a member of The Meath Writers' Circle for a good number of years and hopefully is working on a collection. Always interesting. 

Boyne Berries 12 Autumn 2012

Boyne Berries 12 Autumn 2012

Book Cover

Picked up a copy of the above in Antonia's last week and if you're looking for a stocking filler for Christmas you could do worse. This is the twelfth issue now and it continues to attract submissions that are both local and from places as far away as Canada and the United States not forgetting Italy and Africa. Hard to do it justice on a once through and with poems you often need to read them a few times just to get the feel but without reaching for the book, the ones that come to mind are from members of the group itself and for different reasons. James linnane and Evan Costigan both use that little twist at the end and Orla Fay's "Leaving Oz" has a charm all its own. But as they say there are others and for as little as €8 Euro you can purchase a copy. Click on the link to the Boyne Writers for details. Over to your right!

The Meath Writers' Circle Video (3) November 2012

Vera Tuite

This is another of the videos I recorded in November when Ronan Gorry came in to record the C.D. Vera has another video further back called "The Moving Sod" and has been a member of the Writers' Circle for a while now. Give a listen.  

The Francis Ledwidge Poetry Awards 2012/Results

The Francis Ledwidge Poetry Awards 2012

Francis Ledwidge/Google Images

The results of the above have just been announced and Evan Costigan of The Boyne Writers is this year's winner for his poem "Boy at the Bus Stop" with second place going to Denise Ryan for her poem "In Debt"  and third place to Marie Cudden for "Up to Scratch". Looking down the list delighted to see I got a mention as did Michael Farry of The Boyne Writers and Honor Duff of The Cavan Lit Lab. But some of Ireland's best known poets are there, so good company! The Ledwidge Award is a feature of the calendar this time of year and many local writers have been successful or placed in the competition over the years. The presentation of the awards takes place on Tuesday December 4th at Donoghue's Emmet Road Inchicore at 8pm. Sure to be a good night.   

Book Launch: Meath Junior Writers' Anthology

Book Launch: Meath Junior Writers' Anthology

Tommy Murray at Launch of  Swimming With Dolphins

The launch of The Meath Junior Writers' Anthology will now take place om Thursday 6th of December at 7pm in Navan Library where Michael Farry will do the honours. This is a group of twenty six young writers who used to meet every Saturday morning in the library where Tommy Murray would teach and encourage them to develop their creative writing skills. Many of them went on to win prizes and other awards and the night is sure to be an occasion to mark the contribution Tommy made to writing in the county. This is the fifth collection from the group, or the different classes, over the past thirteen years and hopefully other members will also be there on the night, as well as those of  the different writing groups Tommy was connected with. All welcome.

The Meath Writers' Circle Video (2) November 2012

Sean Reilly

This is a beautiful tribute poem read by Sean Reilly which I've been meaning to load for some time. Sean who is as fine a singer as you're likely to meet, writes both poetry and prose and is a member of both The Meath Writers' Circle and The Small Impact Writers' Group in Navan. A number of other videos are posted further back and are worth looking up. This is from the August meeting. 

The Gregory O' Donoghue International Poetry Competition

The Gregory O' Donoghue International Poetry Competition.

Got an interesting booklet on the 2013 Cork Spring Poetry Festival last week which runs from the 13th to the 16th of February and includes information on the above poetry competition. Interesting in that it equates  lack of funding for the arts with a society that would go on to deny universal access to health care or education, or financial provision for all of us in retirement. (Arts funding, the canary in the cage) Well in many cages the canary stopped singing a long time ago. It may not have said so in so many words but I think I got the gist of it. Anyway you can get information on the above festival or competition if you go to, or google www.munsterlit.ie or www.corkpoetryfest.net. Good prize in that competition! Front and back cover of booklet above

Tommy Murray "Hometown"

Tommy Murray

This is the last  recording I made of Tommy on the 25th of October when Ronan Gorry came in to record the Christmas CD  Date is wrong on the video though! The light is not good but I think this was one of the last poems he wrote. There are other tributes to Tommy over on the Michael Farry, Orla Fay and Sheriff From Navan  blogsites. He was buried in St Loman's Cemetry Trim on Tuesday. May he rest in peace.

Tommy Murray R.I.P.

Tommy Murray

Vey sad news yesterday to hear of the death of Tommy Murray of Trim. Tommy was a founder member and chairman of The Meath Writers' Circle and his passing marks the end of an era. Best known for his poetry and short stories he was also an active local historian and his many books and the awards for his  writing are just to numerous to mention. His contribution to the creative writing scene in Meath is second to none and for over twenty years since the creation of  The Meath Writers' Circle in '92 to the present day he managed to arrange venues and meetings and encouraged others to get something into print. He was especially gifted  at creating beautiful verse and whether he was describing something of the landscape or the simplest thing he could bring a wealth of detail to the page. His books of poetry can be ordered from Lapwing and those of local history from publishers such as Nonsuch. A visit to his website "Meath Books" or the newly created home page will  have details of the above. His funeral takes place on Tuesday morning after 11am Mass to St Loman's Cemetry in Trim. Co Meath. Condolences to Josephine and all the family.

The Meath Writers' Circle Video (2) October 2012

Eugene Kane

This is a second video from Eugene Kane the other one is further back and is a tribute to Joe Dolan. Eugene has been a member of The Meath Writers' Circle for about a year and this poem is dedicated to his son. Give a listen!

The Meath Writers' Circle (Recording)

The Meath Writers' Circle (Recording)

Ronan Gorry
REMUSGORRY@GMAIL.COM

A second round of recordings for the forthcoming or proposed CD took place on Thursday night last when Ronan Gorry returned and those who were unavailable or otherwise engaged on the first occasion recited a poem or two. Should be interesting to hear how it all turns out and what the final product looks like. I believe Sean Kane has a book of poems coming out and there's a haunting suspicion on something to do with Halloween. A local connection or two and we're not short of spirits out here. Every crossroads. Michael Farry has a new history book out and for those who are interested in the politics or the history of the Sligo area during the "Troubles" this could be worth checking out. Click on the link over to the right for further details. Yet to pick up a copy of "Boyne Berries" but it will have to wait until I make it into Trim in daylight. Any week now. Someone keeps clicking on "The Lost Roads..." hope it's not a computer!

The Meath Writers' Circle Video (1) October 2012

Carmel Murray

Carmel has been a member of The Meath Writers' Circle for the past year or so and has a number of videos posted here. She is also a member of The Scurlogstown Olympiad Committee and is active in a number of local groups as well. She did a brilliant take on this at the launch of of the "Dunshaughlin My Home Town DVD". Ably assisted by....  better not say! 

The Francis Ledwidge International Poetry Award 2012.

The Francis Ledwidge Poetry Award 2012

Francis Ledwidge/ Google Images

For those of you with a poem or two the above competition has a closing date of November the 5th so time to get moving. There are cash prizes and a trophy to be won and the first three poems will be entered in the Forward Prize UK should you be so lucky. There are also merit certificates for the finalists and the winner will be invited to read at the annual Francis Ledwidge Commemoration at the National War Memorial Gardens in July 2013. 

Rules: Poems must be the competitors own work and not previously published or broadcast

            Poems should not exceed 40 lines of type.

            Entry fee is €4 per poem, three poems for €10.

            Max. 6 poems for €20.

            Make payable to the Inchicore Ledwidge Society.

            Less than 20 years, state your age.

Name and address and telephone number on separate sheet. 

S.A.E. or e-mail address for winners' list.

Poems will not be returned.

All entries to be submitted before November 5th.

Send your entries to: The Francis Ledwidge International Poetry Award

                                C/O 43, Emmet Crecent.

                                Inchicore, Dublin 8.

Winners will be notified and results will be announced at the annual awards night. Enquiries to 085 1425752.

And they have a Facebook page: Inchicore Ledwidge Society.

Worth entering this given the Meath connections and that a lot of local writers have picked something at the awards, though it's been a while since I've been to Inchicore. And if you're not local good luck anyway!

DVD Launch Fergie's Kilmessan

DVD Launch Fergie's

Sorry I didn't get the start of this folks but here's Paul singing "Blaze Away" and hopefully it plays ok! There are other videos from the night over on "The Sheriff from Navan" site and worth a look. Just click on the link to the right! Oh for fast broadband. But might get to load the longer ones in the future. Have a listen to this!                

                                                                                    

"Dunshaughlin My Home Town" DVD Launch" (Video)

DVD Launch (Video)

This is Peggy reciting her poem "Dunshaughlin" at the launch. Other videos from the launch to follow.

"Dunshaughlin My Home Town" DVD Launch

DVD Launch

Joan Rattigan and Peggy Murphy

A large crowd turned out on Friday night last in Fergie's of Kilmessan for the launch of Peggy Murphy's DVD collection of poems and stories with contributions in song, storytelling, poetry and humour and just being there. Paul Hennessy did the honours for the launch and entertained everyone with his fine collection of  music and ballads and a voice that just has to be heard. But there were others and John Byrne proved that when it comes to humour and stand up he can hold his own but we won't milk that one any further! Donie Clynch of Dunsany was also on hand and I managed to record a few videos myself that I should be able to load in the future, with a bit of luck! Carmel Murray and Willie G. Hodgins of The Meath Writers' Circle recited a poem or two and then one together and I managed to resist the baying of the mob and only recited an "Encore". Fr. Toner said a few words as did Michael Murphy and Michael Kearney of Kilmessan sang a few of his favourite songs. So with thanks to everyone who came and the staff in Fergie's for their help and not forgetting Ferfie himself. .

The Meath Writers' Circle "Recording"

The Meath Writers' Circle "Recording"

Paul Martin

Ronan Gorry who recorded the Folklore C.D. at the Scurlogstown Olympiad this year was out on Thursday night at The Castle Hotel to record some members of The Meath Writers' Circle and it will be interesting to hear what it all sounds like Everyone who was there read at least one poem and Ronan is returning next time with some music and hopefully a few more will be included on the disc.The above is Paul Martin reading one of his poems or was that a Gary Snyder, have to wait!

The Desmond O' Grady Poetry Competition

The Desmond O' Grady Poetry Competition

Limerick from Google Images

This is a competition I came across on The Stammering Poet blogsite and one worth having a look at, it's free! More details over on the site or go to link www.desmondogrady.com. They have a postal address as well for those who are so inclined but the above is easy to use and why not give it a go! The closing date for this competition is the 31st of October coming so best to get moving. The contact phone number is 00353 86 8657494. Good luck! The Stammering Poet and Emerging Writer blogsites are worth tracking for information on what's on out there and must take up a lot of their time. Well done guys!

All Ireland Poetry Day Navan Library 2012

All Ireland Poetry Day Navan Library 2012

Crowd Scene



Peggy Murphy




Paul Martin



Tommy Murray

Michael Sheils



Michael Farry.

Just some of the readers who were in Navan Library for the All Ireland Poetry night. Pieces read were from W. B. Yeats, Edward Thomas, Leonard Cohen, Philip Larkin, Felix Dennis, William Wordsworth, Hilaire Belloc, Gary Synder, Jenny Joseph, Thomas Grey, MacDara Woods, Peggy Murphy, Carmel Murray and John Wiseman  and others who read their own work! And there were some whose names escape me at this hour!

All Ireland Poetry Day Navan Library 2012

All Ireland Poetry Day Navan 2012

Made it into Navan Library last night for the poetry readings having managed to negotiate my way around the different roadworks and arrive only fifteen minutes late and take a few photographs as well! This though is a video of Tom French reading a poem by MacDara Woods and give a listen. One of the features of these events is that you get to hear a lot of poets or poems you wouldn't otherwise come across and last night there was a few. Willie G. Hodgins read one about travelling on trains and a toilet and a light coming on and it never happened in The Tower of Song! Myself I stuck to Philip Larkin and Felix Dennis. Paying safe I know! Some of the photos to be loaded next time.

"Dunshaughlin My Home Town" DVD Launch

DVD Launch Peggy Murphy

Picture: Courtesy Bren Murray Dunshaughlin

Peggy Murphy is launching a DVD of her poetry collection (Dunshaughlin My Home Town) in Fergie's of Kilmessan on Friday the 12th of October at 7.30 PM. All are welcome where we hope to have music, poetry and song and even a few refreshments for those who are so inclined or are prepared to brave the elements. Paul Hennessy who was a member of both the "Irish Tenors" and "Celtic Tenors" and who is the man who created the DVD will be on hand to launch the disc and might even be prevailed upon to sing a few songs. Donie Clynch of Dunsany ,another well known musician has also promised to turn out and if the time should allow who knows what will happen. We're working on Springsteen! Be there!. DVD will retail at €10 Euro.

"I Remember When" Book Launch!

Book Launch! Bernadette Dowd.




Elizabeth Carty and Bernadette Dowd

 

Made it up to the Pastoral centre in Dunshaughlin on Saturday morning for the launch of Bernadette Dowd's book~ I Remember When~ which chronicles her life and memories and those of her father's time growing up in the Dunshaughlin of the thirties and forties. The book is printed by www.eprint.ie and you can check out the link for more info. Yet to read it myself. Elizabeth Carty who surely needs no introduction, being one of Ireland;s best known short story writers, did the honours for the occasion and a large crowd turned out for what was a lively event. I have to mention that the sandwiches and spread laid out ensured that nobody left hungry and I dropped in to the photographic exhibition or presentation on the way out.   

All Ireland Poetry Day/Navan 2012

All Ireland Poetry Day/Navan 2012

Tom French reading All Ireland Poetry Day 2011 Trim Library

If you have a favourite poem or story from your schooldays, or even from the past few days, then why not bring it along to Navan Library on Thursday night where Tommy Murray of The Meath Writers' Circle and Tom French of the County Library will be hosting an event to mark the above. Sure to be an interesting and enjoyable evening and if you only want to listen, then all to the good. They also serve... If I can remember from last year I don't think anyone read from one of the great classics or tried on a piece of prose but maybe this year you'd never know! Be there at 7.30pm to get a seat. No charge.

Poetry versus Science!

Poetry versus Science.

From Google Images

Interesting piece about Paul Dirac on The Emerging Writer Blogsite~go see~ and his opinion of poets and their use of language "saying things everybody knows in words that nobody understands". As opposed to scientists who talk in italics!  Can't say I'm well up on Paul but he was one of the great scientists of the twentieth century, or any other century. However, it's raining outside and you have to write about something and the trouble with science is that it never adds up. There's always something missing! They promise you it will be found next week if you build a super hadron collider at the bottom of your garden and pay a  tax to the local authority, then back to the other side and their argument as to what you should save if given the choice, a great work of art or some newly discovered principle, the answer always being the work of art as the principle will surely be found by someone else in the future but the work of art being a once off is gone forever. Try that though if you were hungry! See if I can finish this by four O clock and go for a walk. Since it is more or less agreed that the act of observation alters everything in some sense or the other and the act or art of creation be it poetry or a piece of music or whatever simply adds to the mix, then it is impossible to know the outcome of anything unless you pass page three and go to the horoscopes but we won't go there. So simply get rid of poets they keep screwing everything up. Cancel Christmas as well. ~ Nature playing the role of some devil may care, Dressed up for some other non local affair...~ I wrote that! Poem!

Omniscience

Some triumph of the intellect

While grazing on his bone

Subtotalled all the arguments

On everything that's known

And following the wake

Of those well versed on such discourse

Was so convinced of certainty

He thought his thoughts

His own!

Frank Murphy.

Launch of Boyne Berries 12

Boyne Berries 12

If you should find yourself with an hour or two to spare next Thursday night then The Castle Arch in Trim might be just the place to be for the launch of the above. Now in its twelfth issue, if that's the correct term, Boyne Berries is always interesting in that it includes writers that are from both local and abroad. Launched on this ocassion by Professor Gregory Castle of The Department of English at Arizona State University, the get there time is 8pm. Professor Castle has a number of books to his credit and has had poems published in past issues of the magazine. Much more details or info can be found if you click on the link to Michael Farry's site over right! The price of the magazine is €8 Euro and very reasonable at that and can be ordered from the site. Arizona though was always cowboy country and had "Rangers" and things like that. Dan Fogelberg who died a few years back penned this and worth checking out on youtube... poetry is poetry..

Tucson Arizona from Google Images

Tuscon Arizona

Tuscon Arizona

Rising in the heat like a mirage

Tony keeps his Chevy

Like a virgin locked in his garage

Brings it out at midnight

And cruises down the empty boulevards

And he prowls the darkened alleys

That snake between the city's thirsty yards.

The lonely desert skies reflect the anger

In his eyes

And it is dawn..... 

Dan Fogelberg.

Hope I rememberd those lines, check the rest out on youtube!

The Meath Writers' Circle (1) Video September 2012

Tommy Murray

The recent Olympic Games made for some great entertainment and kept many on the edge of their seats, and no doubt inspired others towards athletic achievement, but here Tommy does a poetic take on some observations made on a trip to the seaside. A recent winner at the Swords Heritage Festival where he picked up another certificate for his poetry Tommy has a book of ghost stories coming out later in the year. More details and information over on the Meath Books website. Just click on the link to the right!  Other videos further back.

Creative Writing Workshop/Navan Writers' Group.

"Fill Up Your Senses"



Location from Google Images



The Navan Writers' Group are holding a creative writing workshop in The Newgrange Lodge Slane County Meath on Saturday the 22nd of September and early booking is advised as places are limited due to place restrictions. The guest speaker for the occasion is KT McCaffrey whose new crime thriller "The Tara Bones" has just been published and whose previous works include "No Curtain Call" and "The Cat Trap". There will be opportunities throughout the day for open mic readings of poetry or prose or just bring along your  favourite story or photograph. Sean Reilly a founder member of the group will provide the musical entertainment and the cost for all the above is just €10 Euro. Where could you get better than that and in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. If interested contact Edel Gillick on 085 706 8047 or e-mail at edelnavan@gmail.com. Info from Edel and sherriffromnavan site. Link to the right! The theme for the event is "Fill Up Your Senses" and the times 10am to 5pm.

Dunshaughlin Harvest Festival 2012

Poetry and Short Story Competition

Street Scene

The Dunshaughlin Harvest Festival which runs this year from September 27th-30th features a poetry and short story competition (also a photographic one) and for those who are interested details can be found by going to www.dunfest.com or calling Ann at 085 8218908. The short story or poem must in some way relate to Dunshaughlin~A Good Time in Dunshaughlin~ but check it out on the website. The closing date for the competitions is the end of this week. Any number of events on. 

Does Love Conquer All ?

Tess Ryan

Tess Ryan

Tess Ryan who describes herself as a dyed in the wool Kildare GAA supporter has an article in this week's Ireland's Own magazine about last year's All-Ireland football final between Kerry and Dublin, where she found herself cheering on the blues! Stephen Cluxton comes in for some praise for his spot kick in the dying  seconds and his coolness under pressure, but there's no doubt where her allegiance lies should the Lillywhites end up in Croke Park. Tess has been a member of The Meath Writers' Circle for the past year or so and is a regular at every meeting. Good luck with the writing Tess! Good luck to the Meath teams in this year's All-Irelands as well!

Where have all poets gone?

Base Details!

The Boyne Navan

There is a poem further back by Siegfried Sasoon called "Base Details" about those petulant Majors who from the comfort of their armchairs sent them up the line to whatever and I was reminded of that last night looking at the protests of the special needs people outside Leinster House. There has been a lot of that lately everytime someone comes on the media chanting the old mantra of "we must all share the pain!" and ok but don't ask someone to do what you won't do yourself, and if there are sacrifices to be made then you have get out front and make them. Hiding behind those perks is fine but nobody will follow and while the Chateau looks lovely it comes with a price whatever "ism" you fancy.

The Swords Mummers

The Swords Mummers.

A solo on the harmonica here from one member of the group that provided the entertainment at the awards ceremony in Swords on Tuesday night. The venue was the Star Lounge and these guys can do an event! Date mistake on video is for luck!

Poet of Fingal Competition

The Swords Mummers

The Swords Mummers

Tommy Murray and Bernadette Markes

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Cian O' Callaghan

Tommy Murray and Frank Murphy

Two members of The Meath Writers' Circle made the short-list for the Poet of Fingal Competition which was held last night at "The Star" main street in Swords. The winner of the poetry competition was Alyn Senn whose poem was titled "Husband" while the short story award went to Paddy Ryan from Malahide and the Swords section went all the way to Chicago and Patrick Savage. The literary awards were presented  by the Mayor of Fingal Cllr. Cian O' Callaghan while music and entertainment was provided by "The Mummers". A mix of trad and Dublin soul, and the All-Ireland looming! This was a great event with enough food to last for days but sadly no cup. Picked up a copy of "Swords Voices" and there's a local connection or two.