The Gregory Ó Donoghue International Poetry Competition.

Back Cover of Cork Spring Poetry Festival 2014 Booklet

The Cork Spring Poetry Festival which describes itself as Ireland's largest runs from February 12th to February 15th and the above gives details of the poetry prize. The closing date is the 15th of December and the judge this year is Patrick Cotter. An interesting piece in the above is the introduction or part of a speech delivered by US President John F. Kennedy at Amherst College in October 1963 in honour of the poet Robert Frost. (something of the artist as last champion against and intrusive society and an officious state) And worth getting your hands on the booklet just for that. But look up the speech! The Kennedy brothers were some of the best speech-makers there have ever been and given the year that's in it I might go look up something on youtube. More to come as they say! Details of the above and more can be had by clicking on the following links. www.corkpoetryfest.net  Also:  www.munsterlit.ie  And good luck!

Tom Dredge/ Video Poem

Tom Dredge/Video Poem

"Teelin Fiddlers" was commended in the Gregory Ó Donoghue International Poetry Competition in 2012 and is included in the chapbook collection which was launched last Thursday night..

Tom Dredge/ The Path of Progress

"The Path of Progress" 

Tom Dredge

Always interesting to see where these paths will take you and last night Tom Dredge gave us an insight into what were childhood treasures and a suburbia that is long gone. Different games now. And that was just some of it. This chapbook is the latest in a series published by the Boyne Writers and celebrates someone who has had poems published in a number of literary magazines as well as forums such as the "Virtual Writer" website. Mentioned in the lists as well picking up awards in  the Gregory Ó Donoghue, the Frances Browne and the WOW awards. The launch was followed by an open mic which included poets such as Michael Farry, Orla Fay, Brendan Carey Kinnane, James Linnane, and even myself had a go, Willie Hodgins etc. James Lawless read a chapter from his forthcoming book and really gets into character and take while Paul Egan entertained with an excellent piece of satire on the "state" we're in! All in all a very enjoyable evening. More details and info on the launch and I'm sure how to acquire a copy if you click on the links over to the right. Michael Farry, Orla Fay, and the Boyne Writers Website.

 

Gemma McGowan./Falling Slowly

I

Came across Gemma McGowan here singing on youtube. Definitely worth a listen! With thanks to the person who posted the video.

Tom Dredge/Launch of Chapbook!

Tom Dredge/Launch of Poetry Chapbook!

From Google Images

This Thursday night coming sees the launch of Tom Dredge's poetry chapbook at the Castle Arch Hotel in Trim. A native of Dublin but now living in Leixlip, Tom has been a member of the Boyne Writers Group since 2008 and is a highly commended and published poet. This chapbook is the latest in a series published by the group, the other writers being Michael Farry, Brendan Carey Kinnane and Orla Fay and I'm sure there is more to come. More details of this launch can be found by clicking on the links over to the right for the Boyne Writers Group or go to Michael Farry or Orla Fay's blogsites. The start time is 8pm and all are welcome so if you find yourself in the south Meath area on Thursday night (21st) and poetry is your thing, why not drop in for a while. Bring a few poems or whatever, open mic afterwards.

Armistice Day Remembrance/ Navan Library 2013

Armistice Day Ceremony Navan Library 2013.

The Remembrance Day ceremony was led off by prayers and the laying of a wreath followed by a recitation of John McCrae's poem "In Flanders Fields" finishing off with a slide show and photographs of some of those who enlisted from the Navan area. This was on Tuesday last as there was some delay due to difficulties or other. I was at this event last year as well and managed to record a playing of the last post then which is back somewhere on the blog site and worth a listen, bur camera not at the ready this year. This event seems to be growing in numbers each year and I believe a major event to mark the centenary is planned for next year. Out here in the sticks though it wouldn't have been mentioned much over the years except  perhaps for those who maybe watched it on the B.B.C  A more familiar conflict would date back even further than that and the only war memorial to it is to the west of the old church at Tara though the inscription is long since faded. I can remember an old photograph of the unveiling of it and if I remember right Eamon De Valera was there as well as Fr. Cooney of Skryne. This was in 1948 I think, which was the 150th anniversary of  the Croppies. Not so very long ago people would point out to you where a grave was supposed to be or a skirmish had taken place. But memory plays tricks. Another conflict that holds just as strong in the local memory would have to be the war of Independence and the common thread between the two is the number of ballads that were written and are still sung today. I can remember a travelling show coming to the parish (Harry Martin ?) and the events of 1916 were played out to some effect, and to finish there's a poem out there by Pat Boran about the Irish between wars, have to look it up! Enough rambling. It's another Woodstock we need.

Poem from "Fracture"

This was a poem I came across in the film "Fracture" and just happy to get youtube to transfer to blogger. Nice poem, recited by Ryan Gosling. Will look up more details on it tomorrow. Getting late now!

A children's poem from Dr. Seuss and a number of takes over on youtube. Motivational, to get your day up and running. What will you do today? With thanks to the share button and whoever posted!

The Meath Writers' Circle/Meeting November 2013.

The Meath Writers' Circle/ Meeting November 2013

About sixteen people turned out for the November meeting in what was mostly a review of times past or at least the recent past. Still books to be sold and going into the shops now, though the usual difficulty with shops is that they sit on the shelves, or get browsed through there and then, but such is life! Talk of a Christmas Dinner for those who are so inclined and in lieu of our next meeting so if you weren't present on the night and wish to talk turkey or whatever, get in touch! For a modest fee Santa will come! Sean entertained us with some fine singing and on that note we adjourned to December and new plans. The next get together is on Thursday the 5th of December. 

Donegal Creameries North West Words Poetry Prize 2013

Donegal Creameries North West Words Poetry Prize 2013

Letterkenny Town/ From Google Images

Here's another contest to enter before Christmas and one with a fast approaching deadline of the 15th of November. The prize is open to anyone over 18 years of age as long as the poem is the original work of the author submitting it. Must dig out one or two myself! Entries must not have been previously published or have won a competition and only poems in English are being accepted. The max number you can send off is three! No entry fee is being charged as North West Words is a non profit organisation run on a voluntary effort. However a small contribution towards the admin costs would be gratefully appreciated. (e.g. €5) and where would you get better than that. I must admit I've never been to Letterkenny but the google images look nice. Anyway send your entries to North West Words Poetry Prize 2013, 54 Thornberry, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Name and personal contact details on separate page.and not on poems.  The above info can be found on the Poetry Ireland Competition Page. Online submissions are not accepted. And good luck!

Boyne Berries 14

Boyne Berries 14

Kate Dempsey of the Emerging Writer Blog was the guest editor on this one and it makes for an interesting read. On a once through and it is always difficult to cherry pick but you read till you pause and Sean Ruane's  Fence Post was it. But it is a sort of sensual journey, or should that be sensuous, beginning to end, the collection that is, with other notables getting a spoke in. A signature of Berries Berries by now must be the contributions from Rory Ó Sullivan and Caroline Carey Finn, one for the Gothic script and the fine versifying and the other for the excursions off into the town lands of Bohane or wherever that is and it doesn't even allow for the rise and fall of Cinderalla's. This is worth the €8 and you can find details on how to purchase if you link to Boyne Writers over to your right. Also the blogs of Michael Farry, Kate Dempsey.and Orla Fay. Good reading! On a visit to Trim sure to be a copy in the Post Office or Antonia's book shop.