Poem For The Ploughing/Results!
PRESS RELEASE
POEM FOR THE PLOUGHING
ANNOUNCED
WINNER PADDY MORAN TIPPERARY
AND
VERY CLOSE SECOND
VERONA PENTONY CO DUBLIN.
‘Bulbs’ a poem by Tipperary born
teacher, Paddy Moran, voted as the favourite poem of the farming community with
‘The Farmer’ close second by Verona Pentony, Head of Training QSHE Momentum
Support Group UK & Ireland at the Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co
Laois ahead of works by both Patrick Kavanagh and Seamus Heaney. Verona is a
published Poet, Reflections from the Heart and Reflections of Time. She is
secretary of the Meath Writers’ Circle with an open door policy during meetings
the first Thursday of each month in Trim Castle commencing 7.30 pm.
For several months’ people from
all over the country had been invited to enter their favourite work of poetry
about ploughing and the land into a competition organised by Kildare and
Leighlin Diocese. Over a thousand entries were submitted and these were short
listed before the Ploughing Championships. The six most nominated poems were placed
on display at the Kildare & Leighlin Diocesan Stand where visitors were
asked to vote for their favourite. Over three thousand people cast their votes
over the three days of the Championships.
Bishop Denis Nulty announced the winner at 2:30 on the 24th
September 2015. He said ‘I am bowled over at the response to this competition
and by the amount of entries received. I am surprised that a living poet was
the people’s favourite and the runner up was also a living poet, the only woman
in the competition, Verona Pentony from Co Dublin whose poem, The Farmer, came
a very close second.’
Verona Pentony, daughter of the
late Paddy Pentony, Swords and Ballyboughal Co Dublin, a farm machinery
Importer ‘P A Pentony’, A farmer, breeder of Simmental and Charlet Cattle. Her
mother Betty now retired living in Applewood Swords.
The other poems short listed were
Digging and The Follower by Seamus Heaney; I will go with my Father a Ploughing
by Joseph Campbell and The Man after the Harrow by Patrick Kavanagh.
Verona said, “I am honoured and
feel a deep gratitude for receiving such recognition. I am very thankful to the
people worldwide and from all counties of Ireland especially Ballyboughal,
Fingal who nominated The Farmer. ‘The Farmer was inspired through my background
in Farming in Ballyboughal and Nichols Cross in Cloone Leitrim. Verona
expressed thanks to Sean O Grady, The Ward, St Margaret’s, recently 85 and
still passionate about farming to this day. Inspiring Verona through many
conversations on farming, health & safety and politics. Sean is a man who
leads by example through his faith and commitment to Marriage.
THE FARMER
The lonely wood pigeon perched,
echoes, sounds of joy – ‘the morning has risen’. The farmer stirs from a deep
slumber as a beam of sunshine escapes through the curtain, reaching his
furrowed, leathered, weather-beaten brow. He places one foot on the wooden
floor, his lips part as the second foot completes the pair. Whispering, “Thank
you;” he feels a deep gratitude for having awakened to this new day. He
scratches his head in anxiety, with a hand that has worked the farm, wondering
if the area aid from the EU will keep him afloat. He understands his maker has
determined this day, yet the weather elements will dictate the farmer’s way.
He glimpses through the window to
see what is yet to come and sights a congregation of birds on the electricity
cables above - a sure sign of rain on the way!
In the kitchen, he listens for a
weather update. Warming himself near the Aga cooker while making a brew. He
looks to the Sacred Heart picture and the hanging family rosary beads. To
understand the farmer, one must understand the traditions of the land. The land
has a holden-fist on the heart of the farmer, as many farmers well know. It has
caused bitterness and disputes in generations past. The farmer must feel a love
for the land and a passion for what he does best. The land holds high
expectations and demands dedication from him.
From the first leaves falling in
autumn, to the nurturing of crops through understanding of spraying techniques.
In winter, hearing the cows crave for hay, and repairing machines during the
low times. Springtime brings cattle and sheep grazing pastures new; and
seagulls landing on freshly ploughed fields. Grass whirling in the wind, then
corn ears blowing side by side. The warm glow of the valley in summer brings
the harvesting of ripe golden corn. Haymaking sees farm picnics, ready made tea
in old lemonade bottles, poured into mugs and stirred by straw, with the smell
too of homemade bread and curney cake. The farmer, seeing birds migrate in a
‘V’ pattern, feels an anxiety for the year-end accounts yet to come. Feathers
are scattered outside the chicken coup - the fox has been and gone!
The farmer leaves the doorway in
silence and walks out to the fields to assess his crop. The early morning dew
dampening the ends of his trousers as he walks. A slight smile parts his lips
as he listens to insects galore. He bends down and reaches with a strong,
hard-skinned, glove less hand, grasping his crop and pulling from the root. He
sees what he needs to know. In that moment he is complete; he is a Farmer! He
turns and strokes his dog, which had been lagging behind.
He understands his fate. One day
he will leave the land behind – he will be gone, but the land will remain
forever!
 |
| Verona at the Ploughing Championships. |
Congratulations to Verona; see press release above!
About sixteen people turned out last Thursday night for the November meeting in The Trim Castle Hotel including one new member. Much was discussed including the Christmas party and also the book launch for the Centenary celebrations next year. The night also saw the introduction of the Writers Group new magazine which was down to the hard work of Eugene Kane and not forgetting Máire Ní Mhórdha who kindly offered her assistance in collating the material and getting it ready for print. Eugene also designed both the back and front covers and with a deadline of the Christmas party managed to bring it in with more than a little time to spare. Well done to everyone there! More on that to come. The night finished with poems and stories and Sean entertained with one of his fine songs. 
The monthly meeting on last Thursday night covered a multitude of different things with some fine poems and stories read but mostly concerned the material for the magazine due out around Christmas. If you haven't sent something in then it's needed by the next meeting at the beginning of October. The material for the book on 1916 has been gathered and it's just a question of putting it all together and getting it to the printers. Many thanks to everyone who submitted a poem or an article and hopefully it all comes together in time. Should be interesting! I believe Edel Gillick of the Navan Writers Group has something planned in the near future but awaiting more details. Keep writing!
About sixteen turned out for the above and what was a lively meeting, with one new member and a few returns! We're hoping to get a magazine out for the Christmas period so material needed for that the next meeting.
Submissions of poetry, prose and short stories on the theme above are invited for this year's competition. The overall winner will receive a cash prize of €200 with runners-up prizes awarded in categories that include International Poetry, Prose/Short Stories, National Prose/Short-Story, Local Winner in both Poetry and Prose/Short Stories categories, prizes for Highly Commended and National Schools. The Ger Hanily Memorial Cup will also be awarded from the entries submitted. There are rules of course and a competition entry fee of €5 per entry; €10 for three entries and cheques and postal orders made payable to SiarScéal Festival Group. Send to: SiarScéal Festival, c/o Richie Farrell, County Librarian, Roscommon County Council Library Services, Abbey Street, Roscommon. You can also enter online and for all details visit: www.siarsceal.com
About fourteen or fifteen turned out for last Thursday's meeting of The Meath Writers' Circle in the Castle Hotel Trim with poems and stories and a verse or two in song. Still trying to get the material in for the book on 1916 and the year runs on. Will it happen? Trophies are ready for the young writers' competition in Navan Library and I think that event is on at 6.30 pm next Thursday night. More on that to come. Deadline for material in next meeting in August!!!
