Yes Minister — Why Britain Joined the European Union

I wrote a poem about one of those episodes a while back, (a few years?). Anyway it was published in "Riposte" and while it wasn't the best poem in the world and Sir Humphrey makes a much better job of it, I said they were going. Hope the Irish have a few masters of diplomacy when it's game on! With thanks to youtube, the share button and Zuhayer Tahir who posted. I think this episode is from 1984.

Navan Junior Writers/1916 Event!

Cllr Francis Deane/Mayor of Navan Municipal District.

Sean Reilly and Cllr Francis Deane

Edel Gillick and some guests on Saturday!

Made it into Navan just in time for the end of The Navan Junior Writers' event in the County Library. (Got the times wrong). Congratulations to Edel Gillick for her work with the group and also that excellent speech at the end, the Mayor of the Navan Municipal District and his words of encouragement  to the writers and to Sean Reilly from Bohermeen and The Meath Writers' Circle who sang, "The Harp That Once". And of course to the Junior Writers themselves!  

Scurlogstown Olympiad/Haymaking Festival 2016!

Scurlogstown Olympiad/Haymaking Festival/Sunday 19th June 2016!

Verona Pentony, Eugene Kane and Bridie Halton of The Meath Writers' Circle
On stage
Mary O' Connor provided the music for the afternoon!

Verona Pentony, Bridie Halton and Eugene Kane

Carmel Murray and Friend

Matt Leavy

Treasa Sheridan/Meath Rose 2016.

Some of the photos taken at The Scurlogstown Olympiad Festival on Sunday last.

100 Days/ Juliane Okot Bitek.

100 Days/ Juliane Okot Bitek

The "Hundred Days" from April to July 1994 witnessed one of the great genocides of the twentieth century and all while the world looked on and did nothing. But in a wider context it was a reflection on all of us and perhaps on even life itself, though the poet reminds us that animals don't slaughter each other at least not in that sense. The Rawanda conflict had its roots in tribal difference and colonial exploitation and the echoes of another holocaust that would provide no refuge for those who were caught in its midst and all of it against a background of incredible beauty.

The poetry of Juliane Okot Bitek takes you through its villages and churches and lost innocence, relationships where time was measured out in machete strokes and words that made light of indifference and nothing to tie it to but days and the chattering of birds and bayonet sticks and the awful brutality of it all. There are no epiphanies here, no wise men to make sense of it, no Christian sacrifice or saviours, only the memories and a poet who wrote them out for one hundred days lest we forget. 

Published by The University of Alberta Press it is available from all good booksellers or direct from Gazelle Book Services at 0044 (0) 1524 68765

Price: £15.50/ ISBN 978-1-77212-121-6

E-mail: sales@gazellebooks.co.uk

www.uap.ualberta.ca 

Song of Wandering Aengus (Golden apples of the Sun) a Christy Moore cover

W.B.Yeats was born on the 13th of June 1865 and this is a beautiful rendition of his poem, "The Song of Wandering Aengus". Loaded by David Mullen and if you go to his youtube channel the lyrics are included. Enjoy!

The Way To Work/Tom French!

"The Way To Work"/Tom French!

In this his fourth collection of poems Tom French draws his inspiration from people and place, remembrance of past and family circumstance and includes what is perhaps the best poem on the centenary I've read to date. His eye for observation and detail whether it is the everyday or some far away time has more than a little truth or depth and perhaps unflinching - and from the cover- is the best term to describe it and you ask yourself could you or would you have gone there. Descriptive writing that is at its best. He returns again and again to Ledwidge country, to World War One, the Neptune Pool, home and emigration and always with something of a little mystery. Tom French has won both the Forward Prize and the O' Shaughnessy Prize for his poetry and The Way To Work is published by The Gallery Press. www.gallerypress.com         

Listowel Writer Week (Thursday) 2016

Verona Pentony of The Meath Writers' Circle recites a number of poems here during her visit to Listowel for Writers' Week. With thanks to "jkphotography" who loaded and to youtube. Some great songs here as well.

Wreath Laying Ceremony/Laracor/Trim!

Wreath laying ceremonies at the graves of F.R. Higgins and Tommy Murray, Saturday 4th of June 2016!

Gemma Murray, Willie's grandson, Willie G. Hodgins and Carmel and Catherine Murray at the grave of  Tommy Murray in St Loman's Trim.

Catherine Murray, Willie G. Hodgins and Carmel Murray at the grave of F.R. Higgins in Laracor.

Muhammad Ali - Cathal O'Shannon interview, 1972

The death of Muhammed Ali marks the passing of an era and one of the giants of the sport but he was more than just that and in this clip from an interview with Cathal O' Shannon in 1972 he plays on a few words about the Attica riots. Said to have written one of the shortest poems of them all, "Me Whee" which says something about the man. His stand on issues such as the Vietnam war and other things did not always make him popular in his own country but his death leaves them poorer. Another clip on youtube from the same interview worth a look. With thanks to mcentee who loaded and to youtube.  

The Meath Writers' Circle/June Meeting 2016!

The Meath Writers' Circle/June Meeting 2016!

About ten or eleven members turned out for last Thursday night's meeting of the group but due to a number of absences the A.G.M. has been postponed until the next meeting. Poems and short stories were listened to and read, while a number of future projects were listed for further discussion.
The Scurlogstown Olympiad Committee are laying a wreath today at the grave of F.R. Higgins in Laracor at 4pm and after wards also at the grave of Tommy Murray in St Loman's Trim. Both of them were gifted poets and writers and contributed greatly to creative writing in this county and beyond and everyone who knew them or indeed anyone with an interest in writing is welcome to attend.  

Boyle Arts Festival Poetry Competition 2016!

Boyle Arts Festival Poetry Competition 2016!

Boyle, County Roscommon.

The closing date for this is June the 30th and this year's judge is Ross Donlon who has published seven collections of poetry to date and whose work has appeared in journals in his native Australia as well as the United States and New Zealand, also Ireland, and he has been published in the Crannog magazine. The entry fee is €5 per poem and entries should be sent to: Boyle Arts Festival, Poetry Competition, King House Boyle, County Roscommon Ireland. Further information on the competition can he had at
 www.boylearts.com and info@boylearts.com.
 An entry form must accompany your poems and be sure to read the rules and good luck!

 Tel: 00353 (0) 7196 63088.