An Tobar/Poetry for Pleasure ~ June 2019!

An Tobar/Poetry for Pleasure ~ 2019!

The Poetry for Pleasure Group held its last meeting of the summer on Tuesday the 18th last with a large number in attendance, The theme for the evening was the season itself and included some interesting contributions with a number of poets being included more than once. Alexander Pope's poem "Summer" was the first one off, followed by Gerald Griffin's "Hy Brasail - The Isle of the Blest." Levis Kapchanga read "A Taste of Freedom" and Willie G. Hodgins read his own poem "Summer, Best Loved Month". John Sheahan's poem "Turf Cutter" was read next and if my notes are correct, followed by Eugene Kane reading about his grandchild "Lily" he also read of his uncle "Owen." Patrick Kavanagh got two outings with "Spraying the Potatoes" and "An Address to an Old Wooden Gate." Reginald Arkell whose poems get a regular airing was also read, "Ready Made Gardens", though not too familiar with his poems. Must look up. John Clare's "I Am" was next followed by Michael Walsh's "The Old Man to the Tree", (can't get a reference on that poem). Alexander Pope got his second outing of the night with "Ode to Solitude" and myself I read my own poem "Drowsy Maggies". Stephen Clare's "Bloomsday - A Poetry Brothel" which was  written on the spot (I think!) and there were one or two more but the notes not good! Hope I got the above info correct. No meeting now until September and the theme is "Birds". Make what you like of that!

Scurlogstown Olympiad and Haymaking Festival 2019!

Scurlogstown Olympiad and Haymaking Festival 2019!

Some photos taken at the Haymaking Festival last Sunday on what turned out to be a fine day despite the weather forecast, although it started to rain late in the evening but by then events were drawing to a close. The amount of organizing any event this size must take is enormous so congrats to all! 

The Peggy Murphy Memorial Night 2019!

Paul Hennessy

Cyril Ashe and Ray Murtagh

Matt Leavy

Cyril Ashe, Michael Murphy and Ray Murtagh

A large crowd turned out on Friday night last for the Peggy Murphy Memorial event which raised money for the local Lourdes Fund and the Skane Valley Active Retirement Group. Many thanks to the above artists who gave of their time and entertained all with some great performances all round, and of course to Fergie and staff who laid on the facilities etc, and not forgetting the sponsors for their generosity and Michael Murphy who arranged the event. And finally to everyone who came on the night.  

The Hard Border by Seamus O'Rourke

A little poetry with an edge for a Sunday morning. With thanks to Julia Armstrong who loaded and of course youtube and the share button. Great stuff and very funny...and true!

The Meath Writers' Circle/June 2019!

The Meath Writers' Circle/June 2019!

About twelve people turned out for our June meeting with readings of poetry and storytelling and planning a few upcoming events. The magazine is ahead of schedule with only a few left to come in ~ but never there till it's there. The Peggy Murphy Memorial Fund is holding an event on next Friday night in Fergie's of Kilmessan at 9 pm with the proceeds going to the local Lourdes fund and the Skane Valley Active Retirement Group. Artists who are lined up include Ray Murtagh, Matt Leavy and Cyril Ashe and maybe one or two more! Tickets are €10 and all are welcome. The Scurlogstown Olympiad/Haymaking Festival is on next Sunday afternoon in the Porchfields in Trim with something for everyone and there's sure to be plenty of music and song with perhaps a few poems as well. Again all are welcome and it's a great day out for the family. The Sheaf Tossing competition is a must see and the world record is there for anyone who can master the technique.  

Christy Moore "Well Below The Valley"

Ireland's Favourite Ballad!

So 'Raglan Road' was named as Ireland's favourite ballad ~ no argument with that ~ but as I said further back leaving out 'Paddy's Lamentation' was strange given its importance with regard to the number of Irishmen who died in the American Civil War. The above song though was collected by Francis James Child who was an American professor at Harvard University and popularized by Irish folklorist Tom Munnelly who got it off an Irish Traveler named John Reilly from Boyle in County Roscommon, as did Christy I believe. A dark and sinister ballad it was used in the intro to the film ' The Magdalene Sisters' for obvious reasons. Sean Mackin recorded it there and definitely worth a listen. There are other versions out there and Saya Novinger knocks the hell out of it if you'll pardon the pun. Many stories about the song, true or not I don't know, (lost for over one hundred and fifty years ~ banned in Cromwell's time) etc. You have to be dammed good to go at it with a bodhran and in the best of your health and given that difficulty and the content of the song with regard to the treatment of women in Irish society, how it got left off the list I don't know! Think I'll make up a listen of my favourite ballads. Also known as 'The Maid and the Palmer'. Uploaded by 'fullshilling' on youtube. With thanks.