Why to Not Completely Trust History, or People (Claudius and Herod)

Claudius and Herod!

A lesson on trust for the times we live in. From the BBC series, I Claudius in 1976, which was rated one of the greatest television dramas of them all and covers the early history of the Roman Empire. And you would be wise to follow Herod's advice. Loaded by Willy Schmitt and with thanks.

Tom T. Hall - Homecoming!

Tom T. Hall, May 25th 1936 - August 20, 2021.

One of America's greatest country singer - songwriters and known as "The Storyteller" just about everyone has a favourite Tom T. Hall song, though some of them wouldn't get airplay now in the more politically correct times that we live in. Must look up one of the more controversial ones if I can find it. Another piece of America's gone, to borrow from another tune. Loaded by Steve Spolar and with thanks.

a famous scene from Charlie Wilson's war!

A famous scene from Charlie Wilson's war! 

Given the scenes coming out of Kabul today and the President's speech on nation building and the money spent and lives lost, while the reports on RTE were  saying the Afghan army was starving and hadn't even been paid? Where did the money go? Above is a scene from a film that came out in 2007. Look it up, it's out there on Youtube. Loaded by FT and with thanks. Really it's one of those films that should be required viewing. 

The Francis Ledwidge Poetry Award 2021!

 The Francis Ledwidge Poetry Award 2021!

This must be one of the longest running poetry awards in Ireland and I remember the late Tommy Murray of Trim bringing it to our attention back around 2001 and a good number of poets from the Meath area have featured in it since. The first prize is the Ledwidge plaque (a keepsake) inscribed with the winner's name with a cash prize as well. There are cash prizes for the second and third places and merit certificates for the other finalists.

In addition, the winner will be invited to read at the annual Francis Ledwidge Commemoration at the National War Memorial Gardens in July 2022.

Poems must be the competitor's own work and not previously published or broadcast and must not exceed 40 lines of type. The entry fee is €5 per poem or four for €15 with a max of 6 poems at €25 payable to the Inchicore Ledwidge Society. The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

S.A.E. or email address for winners list. Poems will not be returned. All entries to be submitted before 5th November 2021.

Send to: The Francis Ledwidge International Poetry Award 2021, C/o 20, Emmet Crescent, Iinchicore, Dublin 8, DO8XEY9, Ireland.  Winners will be notified and results announced at the annual awards night in December. Enquiries to: 085 849 7531. There is a Facebook page at: Inchicore Ledwidge Society.

"In Glasnevin", read by Jane Clarke

'In Glasnevin' read by Jane Clarke

A poem from the last meeting of the An Tobar Poetry Group and read on that occasion by Jim Owens and given the year we're living in. 1921 - 2021. From the UCD Library Special Collections with thanks and not forgetting Youtube. 

The Jonathan Swift Creative Writing Awards 2021!

 The Jonathan Swift Creative Writing Awards 2021!

The closing date for this competition is Monday the 27th of September 2021 and Ms Maria Wallace and Michael Whelan will judge the entries. The entries may be in Irish or English and submissions will not be returned, also no correspondence will be entered into. Winners will be notified a week in advance and are invited to read their work during the Award Ceremony at the Heritage Centre in Saggart Co. Dublin on Saturday the 6th of November - 4 to 6pm. This is dependent upon Government Protocols at the time. Otherwise - notification of awards will take place in an online ceremony at a future date.

The work submitted must be the author's original work and must not have been published or broadcast previously. Poems not to exceed 45 lines and short story entries limited to 1500 words. Times New Roman, font size 12 single spacing on plain white A4 sheet. The entrants name must only be on the entry form  and not on the typescript and entries may be submitted from abroad. Authors that have a collection published by a publishing house are not deemed eligable for this competition.

The cover charge is €5 per poem or 3 poems for €12 with a max of 6 poems and €7 for a prose entry. Send your entries to:

Margaret Ennis "Teach Giuise", Boherboy, Saggart, Co. Dublin.