Scurlogstown Olympiad "Cois Tine" Night 2015!

Scurlogstown Olympiad "Cois Tine" Night 2015!

Jack Quinn's Public House in Scurlogstown was the venue last night for an event that marked the resettlement programme of many families from the West of Ireland to parts of Meath and Kildare in the years between the 1930s and the late 1970s. This was to have a major impact in terms of influence on almost every aspect of community from both cultural to sporting and social life. It was also a night  that  saw the launch of the "Filliocht agus Amhrain" a CD of poetry and song recorded live at The Haymaking Festival in 2015. More on that to come! Dessie McKay, Chairman of the Land Commission Heritage of County Meath sub-committee welcomes any material you might have that would contribute in any way with regard to info on the resettlement programme and can be contacted at 086 805 7201.

James Linnane

Michael Durkan 

Doolin Writers' Competitions!

Poetry and Short Story Prizes!

This one has a closing date of Friday the 5th of November with prizes for both poetry and short stories. The judges are Dave Lordan for the poetry prize and Anthony Glavin for the short stories. The prizes are €1000 plus the Banshee Lit Editorial will consider for publication in both cases should you be so lucky and for seconds a free pass to Doolin Writers' Weekend with two nights accommodation. Entrants must be over 18 and no poet/writer may win more than one prize. Also entries must be in English and for poetry no longer than 40 lines not including title.Must be original  work and on any theme and not previously broadcast either in print or on line. No limit to the number of poems submitted. For the short story, must be in English and between 1000-3000 words and doubled spaced. Other conditions same as above and fees €10 per poem or story & €5 thereafter. Cheque or money order: payable to Hotel Doolin and you need to download an entry form.You can also e-mail your entries in but best to check out details at: Here .

Postal entries to Doolin Short Story/Poetry Competition, Hotel Doolin, Doolin, Co. Clare.

Eight shortlisted names in each category will be announced on Doolin Writers' Facebook page at no less than 2 weeks prior to the weekend. Shortlisted authors contacted by e-mail. Poems and stories must be entered separately. Paypal options of course.

The Cliffs of Moher
From Google Images. 

Bulmer Hobson on 'The Volunteers'

Here's another one on the period, this time an interview with Bulmer Hobson recorded in 1963 by RTE. With thanks to youtube and centuryireland who uploaded.

The Easter Rising 1916 - Fergal Keane Documentary

Continuing in the same vein, here's a good overview from Fergal Keane. With thanks to youtube and to Protestant Irish Republican who posted. Youtube is a treasure trove.

Easter 1916 | A Rebel Act: Poems That Shaped The Nation | RTÉ One

With the Centenary of the Rising fast approaching and I suspect many books on the period, I dipped into youtube for a peep at how it was viewed (or is) through the medium of poetry, prose, recollections etc, and there is an endless amount of material out there on the people involved and their interpretation of the time and very interesting too. The above is from RTE and with thanks for the share button. See if I can find a few more on the events leading up to and afterwards. The Meath Writers' Circle hope to launch a book on the period in the New Year and I see the Boyne Writers now have a call out for submissions. Sure to be many others.

The Meath Writers' Circle/Magazine!

The Meath Writers' Circle/Magazine 2015!

Front Cover

The Meath Writers' Circle first annual magazine was launched last Thursday night in the Trim Castle Hotel with contributions from members both old and new. Printed on glossy paper A4 size, the magazine is a mixture of poetry and prose touching on a wide variety of subjects and with other items included such as a crossword on the poetry of W.B. Yeats. This input from Verona Pentony who designed its format. The credit and the hard work on the design of the magazine though must go to Eugene Kane who brought the project in ahead of time and to Máire Ní Mhórdha who gathered the material and files for publication. Also a special mention to Clare Kane for her assistance on this and other projects in the past. The price of the magazine is €5 and copies may still be available though I believe most of them sold out on the night. Congratulations to all involved.

The Meath Writers' Circle/ November Meeting 2015!

The Meath Writers' Circle/November Meeting 2015!

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. 

Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2015/16!

Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2015/16!

The above has a deadline of the 30th of March 2016 so plenty of time to get your submissions in, or poem ready for such. The first prize is €1000 plus publication in in the summer 2016 issue of The Caterpillar and is for a single unpublished poem written for children aged 7-11 years. The entry fee is €12 and you can read about the inaugural winner, Louise Greig, in the Irish Times. The method of payment is cheque, cash, money or postal order or you may pay by credit or debit card via PayPal. Read the rules before entering and you'll need to download an entry form from the site and if by post send your entries to:

The Caterpillar Poetry Prize 2015

C/O The Moth

Ardan Grange

Miltown

Belturbet 

Co. Cavan

Ireland.

Link: www.thecaterpillarmagazine.com 

Main Street Belturbet Co. Cavan
From Google Images.