from Verses on the Death of the Dean by Jonathan Swift - The Time is Not...

On this day in 1667 the great satirist and writer Jonathan Swift was born in Dublin and given his very local connections (Laracor) he deserves more than a mention. Just been listening to Myles Dungan on the radio. With thanks to "performingpoetry" who loaded and youtube! 

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure

About fifteen people turned out for last Tuesday night's readings in Ardbraccan and for what was a very entertaining evening with a wide variety of poems read on a theme of "My Favourite Place." A light interpretation though was in order with Austin Clarke getting the lead off with "The Planter's Daughter" followed by Michael Longley's "Carrigskeewaun" and "The Leveret." Carol Ann Duffy's "Meeting Midnight" was followed by "Tara" by Carol Owens and Tom French's "The Shamrock Road." Sean Kane entertained with "The Two Travellers" by C. J. Boland, so be careful what you boast about. Willie G. Hodgins read "A Cradle for a King" and Claire Kane read Felix Halton's "The Banks of Lough Gowna. William Allingham's "Adieu to Ballyshannon" was followed by Eugene Kane reading "My Dream" and Sean Reilly reading Myra Lalor's "Gypsies of Long Ago." Myself I read "The Hejaz" and there was also a water colour by John G. Ryan displayed. Other poems included Una Leavy's "Going to Gowel", Macdara Woods "Above Pesaro" and "Estonian Fields" by Kevin Dwan. Admission Day" by Carol Owens and "The Green Kingdom" by Margaret Fagan were also included. Sure to have left something out but that was some collection of poems for one night! Eileanain Ni Chuilleanain also gets a mention. If I've left anyone out please remind! A reference to Ethna Cantwell and "41 Watergate Street" ? and to finish Patrick Kavanagh's "Inniskeen Road".

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure!

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure!

This month's meeting of the Poetry for Pleasure group in An Tobar, Ardbraccan, County Meath has a theme of "Place" or something that relates to it in someway depending on interpretation. The start time is 7.30 pm this Tuesday night coming and everyone is welcome to attend. Light refreshments will be served afterwards. Contact Jim Owens at 087 967 6728 or Jackie Smyth (An Tobar) at 046 90 789 73 for further details. 

Eric Bogle - The Green Fields of France

From the great Eric Bogle. Loaded by Grant O' Neil. Today is the 11th of November 2018. Enough said. With thanks to youtube!     

The Meath Writers' Circle/Magazine Launch!

Magazine Launch/Photos!

Verona Pentony and Una O' Callanáin

Michael Farry

Barbara Flood

Pat Farrelly

Monica Sherlock

Eugene Kane

Sean Reilly

Gaberiel McDonnell 

Noel Dempsey who launched the magazine with Willie G. Hodgins in the background.

Just some of the photos taken at the launch of The Meath Writers' Circle 4th Annual Magazine in the Trim Castle Hotel on Thursday the 1st of November. Again a big thank you to everyone who came or read or contributed something to the magazine, to our prize winners in the children's poetry competition and to Gemma McGowan for her beautiful singing and musical accompaniment on the harp.  

The Meath Writers' Circle/Magazine Launch 2018!

The Meath Writers' Circle/ Annual Magazine Launch 2018!

Noel Dempsey did the honours on last Thursday night at the Trim Castle Hotel for the launch of our fourth Annual Magazine and it was fitting in that he was one of the founder members of the group back in the early Nineties when himself and Deirdre McGivern, with the assistance of Trim poet Tommy Murray first established the group as part of the Adult Education Department of the Meath County VEC. Tommy was the chairperson of the group until he died in 2012 and Willie G. Hodgins has occupied the position since that time. This year's magazine includes some of Ireland' most prominent writers as well as members of our local writing groups. There are contributions here from President Michael D. Higgins, John F. Deane, Michael Farry, Tom French, Orla Fay, Tommy Murray, Anthony J. Jordan, Louise Scott, Myra Lalor, John Quinn, Verona Pentony, Sean Reilly, Willie G Hodgins, Paul Martin, Patrick Nolan, Sean Kane, Eugene Kane, F. R. Higgins, Rex Lee, Gemma McGowan, Cynthia Simonet, Jim Owens, Peggy Murphy, Frank Murphy, Thomas Davis, Monica Sherlock, James Byrne, Peter Farrely, Pat Farrelly, Tess Ryan, Mick Gillick, Gaberiel Mc Donnell, Mary Flood, Barbara Flood, Kieran Murray, George Knightley, James Linnane, Leona Rennicks, Ray Crinnion, Tony Mc Cormack, Kathleen Miggin, Noel French, Gemma Macey, Carmel Murray, Sean Landers, Pat Bennett, Doris Daley and of course our junior writers and children's competition winners: Etain McCarthy, Jessica Varley, Rebecca Ó Reilly, Louise Reynolds, Nicole Mc Fadden, Thomas Balfe, Sadhbh David-Ní Laoire, Barra Mc Cluskey, Grace Lyons, Emily Brooks, Lily Casey, Isabel Wallace, Glenda Smith, Sophia Grace Christie and Scarlet Leonard.

There are over sixty contributions here in all, although not in the order above and we'd like to thank everyone who sent something in. If I've left anyone out please let me know! The magazine has 72 pages and retails at only €6. A4 size it would make an ideal Christmas present.

Some photos to follow.