Happy New Year 2021!

 Happy New Year!

The last meeting of The Meath Writers' Circle was on Thursday the 5th of March and the An Tobar group had a get together on Tuesday the 18th of February, so it all seems a while ago now - and apart from a video get together via the internet just before Christmas it's been a very quiet and strange year. Our magazine was just about rolling last March when the corona virus hit but we went ahead with it anyway and in the end managed to sell hundreds. How things will go in the new year, hard to say, but going into another level five lockdown I don't think there'll be a meeting anytime soon. So happy new year to everyone and what will be...... 

John Prine Silent Night, All Day Long!

This song was released on the 8th of September 1993 from the album, A John Prine Christmas and is a regular Christmas favourite ever since. John had very strong Irish connections in that his wife is from Donegal and there are Galway ties there as well. He was one of the best known American singer songwriters and he could sure play with words. He was born on the 10th of October 1946 and died on April the 7th 2020 from COVID 19 complications. This video was loaded by 85points85 and with thanks. 

Willie Nelson - December Day!

Something laid back from Willie on a cold December Day. Happy Christmas! With thanks to gringotroller who posted and of course the old share button on Youtube.

Meath Writers' Circle/ An Tobar Poetry for Pleasure Group~ Poetry Get Together

 Meath Writers' Circle/An Tobar ~ Poetry Get Together!

Reflections of a Scottish Christmas by Johnny Cunningham led off the night at the first meeting - via the internet ~ of the above groups (Google Meet) the piece was read by Leona Rennicks and she was followed by Carol Owens who read her own poem, Winter Solstice. Jim Owens read a piece by Pam Ayers, Good will to all Men - Give me your Money. Taking a cue from that James Linnane read, The Up Side of Down. Jim Owens came back in with, A Christmas Childhood, a piece he composed himself. Sean Reilly read a poem by Muriel Spark, The Three Kings followed by Leona who read Winter by Tommy Makem. Carol Owens then read another of her own compositions, A Cabin in the Woods. Verona Pentony read her own poems Christmas Spirit From Reflections Of Time and Angel on the Christmas Tree also from the same book. Christmas Eve by Ruth and Celia Duffin was also read but my notes are not the best so I can't remember who read it. Might have been Leona. James Linnane read Still Breathing his own composition and I followed with Stopping by Woods by Robert Frost. Sean sang us out with The Old House.

Sinead O'Connor with Willie Nelson - Don't Give Up - High Quality

 

Something for the year that was in it. Written by Peter Gabriel and recorded with Kate Bush in 1986 there are many versions of this song out there, but I went for Willie, one of the last of the outlaw poets. Might post another song by him before Christmas. With thanks to youtube and Don Weber who posted. Read comments on Youtube.

M&M36 Matt & Michael's Lockdown!

This one was brought to my attention by Sean Reilly from Bohermeen and includes contributions from both Matt and Michael, Edel Cregan, Tommy Murray and special guest star Paddy Smith who has just published his lockdown diary, Cocooner, published by Meath County Library and available from both Charlie Byrnes of Galway and Antonia's bookshop in Trim at €10. Must drop in and get myself a copy! Paddy had just completed Colonel Bogey's and was commending Michael on his editing skills when the link went down. Driving past I glanced nervously at the bridge!

Matt and Michael have recorded a number of these videos over the past year since lockdown began and are up to about thirty seven at the moment which is quite an achievement. Sean to give him a mention was recorded by Michael (The Sheriff) Shiels a number of years back in the Solstice during a launch for the Navan Writers' and to date has clocked up almost twelve thousand hits of Dan O' Hara. (A Cappella). So congrats all round.