"News For You"

"News For You"

News For You which describes itself as Meath's youngest newspaper opens with an article on the Best Days Of Our Lives by Christina Gillick-Correla which contrasts sharply the education and opportunities available for girls in this part of the world as opposed to places where it can be extremely dangerous. Focusing on the treatment meted out to Malala Yousafzai following her campaign for girls to be even allowed attend school, she stresses the need to avail of everything on offer. Also cites the example set by Rosa Parks when she refused to move from the bus seat when asked. Sometimes all it takes is a little thing and I suppose we have all become too compliant when told to stand in line. Other articles inside include book reviews, Baking in the Central, Days To Remember In The Gaelteach, Bullying and Important Things to Know About and a poets' corner. Girls In Sport finishes the contributions with items on archery and Gaelic football. Priced at €3 and enquiries to Navan Library for details on classes and info on The Meath Junior Writers' Group. Edel Gillick has taken over these classes and Saturday mornings in the library is the place to be!

The Jonathan Swift Creative Writing Awards/Saggart 2013

The Jonathan Swift Creative Writing Awards 2013

Maria Wallace and Mervyn Ennis

Made it to Saggart last night for the above and although I've been there before it gets different in the dark folks. Anyway and given the danger of asking for directions I made it. The Virginia House Writers Group and in particular Mervyn Ennis and Maria Wallace I believe are responsible for this event with Maria judging the entries. The last time I was here and listening to some of the short stories being read I resolved to leave it alone. The standard of the writing and the content material is for the brave. Interesting that some of the most memorable short stories I've listened to or read over the past ten years have been written by women, or with the exception of one or two. One in particular I remember was read at the Knightsbridge Village at the Boyne Readings. A kind of Sophie's choice! Poetry though can be more difficult when listening, you need to bring it home! Whatever about the past the first person I encountered last night was Orla Fay of the Boyne Writers Group who was there to pick up another award. Orla was recently published in The Stony Thursday Book and blogs regularly. Link to the right! Those who made the shortlists are below.

Short Stories

Boats: Des McInerney

Hayseeds: Patrick A. Gavin

A Sense Of Duty: Stewart Devitt

Block Party: Joe McKiernan

Alice: John Martin

3rd Prize: Tightly Knit: Doreen Duffy

2nd Prize: Escape: Viviene Kearns

1st Prize: A Found Object: Andrew McLoughlin.

Poetry

Casting for sea trout: Noel King

Twenty minutes on a Luas: Orla Donoghue

The brown pidgeon: Kenneth Nolan

The amoeba: Susan Flynn

Nora Barnacle's wedding: Aine Lyons

First exit after Finglas: A. M. Cousins

First Friday: Clare Ó Reilly

Inside the charity shop: Denise Ryan

After M. C. Escher's Hands Drawing Hands: Orla Fay

Joint 3rd Prize: After child in yard-Luis Le Broquey: Elizabeth Ó Carroll

                          The Deep: Frank Murphy

2nd Prize: Journey: John Power

1st Prize: Salvation: Clare Ó Reilly.

Hope I got all those names right!

The Francis Ledwidge International Poetry Award 2013.

From Google Images

The Francis Ledwidge International Poetry Award 2013.

Remember, remember, the closing date here is the 5th of November so better get your entries in fast. A number of local writers have picked up awards here with Evan Costigan of The Boyne Writers Group winning it outright in 2012. The winner will receive the Ledwidge Plaque and a cash prize with other prizes for second and third places and merit certificates for finalists. The first three poems will be entered in the Forward Prize UK and in addition the winner will be invited to read at the annual Francis Ledwidge Commemoration at the National War Memorial Gardens in July 2014. Info is as from above and rules as follows.

Poems must be the contributor's own work, not previously published or broadcast and not exceed 40 lines of type. €4 per poem or three for €10. Maximum of six poems €20.  Payable to the Ledwidge Society.

Name and address on a separate sheet and send to The Francis Ledwidge International Poetry Award 2013, C/O 20, Emmet Crescent. Inchicore, Dublin 8. Winners will be notified and results announced at the annual awards night. Enquiries to 085 8497531. Also on Facebook page: Inchicore Ledwidge Society. And good luck! 

  

Book Launch Knightsbrook Trim/Photos!

Book Launch/"A Gathering of Poetry and Prose"

Willie G. Hodgins and Monica Sherlock

Sean Kane

Michael Farry

Michael Regan

Bridie Halton

Peggy Murphy and Joe Sullivan

Fr. Andy Doyle Bohermeen

James Linnane

Paul Martin and James Lalor

Sean Reilly

Tess Ryan

Pat Duffy

Michael "The Sheriff" Sheils

Frances Curran

Gloria Morris

Michael Kearney

Willie G. Hodgins

Verona Pentony

Dena Molloy

Not sure in what order but these girls can sing!
Rosemary Hussey and Margaret Sheerin.

Anne Gray and Irene Reilly

Gemma McGowan

Just some of the photographs from the launch and perhaps the most I've ever loaded at one time. The poets, the musicians, the singers, what can I say? Many thanks and appreciated! Some of the girls were outstanding or "Spellbinding" if I can borrow a term from Sean Reilly of Bohermeen. Thanks to all! 

Book Launch/The Knightsbrook Trim.

"A Gathering of Poetry and Prose"

Pat Farrelly of the Scurlogstown Olympiad group stepped in at the last moment to launch the above collection of poetry and prose by The Meath Writers' Circle and remarked that it was the first time he'd ever come on as an impact sub for the great Colm Ó Rourke, or words to that effect. Addressing the crowd in both Irish and English he remembered childhood days and eagerly awaiting the Christmas edition and poetry page of The Meath Chronicle. He also mentioned the wide selection and varied content of the book while paying special mention to the late Tommy Murray and his long association with the Olympiad and the Bardic School. Not forgetting other poets of Meath including F.R.Higgins, John Boyle Ó Reilly and Francis Ledwidge to mention just a few. A large crowd of about two hundred attended and there were contributions from musicians, poets and singers some of whom were outstanding. There were a number of other speeches as well but more info to follow..   

"A Gathering of Poetry and Prose"

Book Launch!

Well it's almost good to go, give or take a few difficulties and if the weather holds. The Knightsbrook in Trim is the venue and if you've got a song or a poem or two why not drop in for a while. Starting at 7.30pm local time we'd love to see everyone there. So if you're a member of a writers' group or a readers' group or just someone who likes books and is looking for a Christmas present for that long lost relative, then the above might suit. Arriving on their doorstep in far off New York or Boston, sure to please! Anyway hope to see you all there. Sadly Colm had to drop out but I think someone else is lined up do the honours.  

Desmond Ó Grady Poetry Competition 2013

Desmond Ó Grady Poetry Competition 2013.

White House Limerick Poetry presents this and you have until the 31st of October to get your entries in, if so inclined. It is open to poets from all over the world and with a first prize of €1000, well worth the pen work. Each poet can submit up to twelve poems which can be in Irish or English but must be unpublished. The judge is Fred Johnson and the entry fee is only €3 per poem or €8 for three so very reasonable. A long-list

From Google Images

of 45 poems will be selected to be narrowed down to 10 to be read at the Final Competition Celebration on Wednesday 11th of December 2013 in Limerick. You can submit your poems online by going to the website Here or for those going postal the following address. Desmond Ó Grady Poetry Competition, White House Limerick Poetry 52, Ó Connell Street Limerick. Much more info on the website so pay a visit. Now I'll have to see if I can find a poem or two myself. Been otherwise engaged! 

James Byrne Reads "Aura"

James Byrne reads "Aura"

This was recorded back in August in Navan Library and is James Byrne reading from his recently published book of poetry "Conflux". James is a member of The Small Impact Writers' Group who meet every Wednesday morning in the Library.

Invested!

Watchdogs!

On a day when the Seanad was saved (just) and why demolish a house because the occupants sleep too much. Anyway it brings me to a poem I wrote about watchdogs and their peculiarities.

Invested

From Google Images

The old hat was

De rigueur

And the coat 

Turned.

You cut to the

Right side

Down to the 

Lisp belt

And the

Freudian

Slip.

All that navel gazing

Was for the birds

And the egocentric

Type.

Me, me, me,

And the world

Their couch.

Till you're down

To brass plaques

And the watchdogs

That bark for their

Dinner!

 Frank Murphy.

"A Gathering of Poetry and Prose" The Meath Writers' Circle

"A Gathering of Poetry and Prose"

Well the book is finally here and ready for the launch with only a few details to take care of in the time remaining. Nothing left to say except to thank all those who contributed in any way especially those with regard to the spot  prizes and the venues for the fund raising with a special thanks to members of the group who arranged the events. Details as above on the poster and an invitation to all who would like to come and maybe bring a poem or a little music or just themselves. Book to retail at €10 and food for free. Hope to see you there!!