Mary Black & band - Eric Bogle, John Munro/ All the Fine Young Men

All the Fine Young Men!

Something to end the year on and I'll leave you to judge for yourself the right of it and what is a just war anyway? Depending on your situation I suppose and I don't know. Only came across this recently and looking at all the wars going on at the moment and the awful hypocrisy from both sides, in whatever conflict, give a listen to the above, Loaded by Vrije Geluiden and with thanks. Go to youtube for the comments and more information.  

JOE DOLAN - O Holy Night /version 1/

Joe Dolan  ~ O Holy Night!

Joe was one of the greats of the Showband era and later as well. I remember the night in Beechmount in Navan after his appearance on Top of the Pops on the BBC when the women stormed the stage and Joe just kept singing. Twenty minutes to cross the floor and it don't get wild like that anymore. Tame now. 

Joe Dolan: Born October 16th 1939 - Died December 26th 2007. To youtube for the comments. Loaded by Anna Oppermann and with thanks.

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ Calendar 2024!

 The Meath Writers' Circle ~ 2024 Calendar!

Of the 165 published, all are now gone and if you received a copy or were included in the calendar we hope you enjoy the read. As it says on the back cover we would like to thank everyone who supported us throughout the years and wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year for 2024.

Glen Hansard, Lisa O’Neill and Friends sing Fairytale of New York for Sh...

A Tribute to Shane MacGowan at his funeral in Nenagh!

Well; what do you say? Shane MacGowan : Born Christmas Day 1957 and died November 30th 2023. Go to youtube for the thousands of comments. The above was loaded by Irish Folk and Trad Music. So with thanks. 

The Rose of Bohermeen!

 Teresa ~The Rose of Bohermeen!

Brought to my attention by Sean Reilly of The Meath Writers' Circle this is a Christmas story about a girl who sang in a midnight choir a long time ago. Penned by Richie Ball, it recalls an aunt of his who sang with her younger brother, his dad. She died at only seventeen and is remembered here in a song recorded by Davie Furey. Richie was a former English teacher at St. Patrick's Classical School in Navan and Davie a student of his.

Visit Davie's website to get more of the back story and to listen to his other recordings.

https://daviefurey.com

William G. Hodgins R.I.P.

William G. Hodgins R.I.P.

William G. Hodgins was chairman of The Meath Writers' Circle for eleven years and was a valued member for many years before that. His passing marks the end of an era. During that time we published something each year and whether it was our very successful magazine or a number of other books, Willie always ensured that all and everyone who wanted a poem or story included was accommodated. He also sourced some other great material including the best Second World War poem I've come across. Others he included were from as far away as Spain or the United States. He was a brilliant storyteller and not to forget that where one magazine could be sold he'd sell two or three. He had many other interests including Scurlogstown, the High Nellie cycle event, tractor runs and was also I believe, the first chairman of his local historical society. We were perhaps one of the best funded writing groups in the country and much of that was due to his 'Question Times' which raised considerable sums indeed. He will be missed and sincere condolences to Betty and all of the family.  

 

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ Calendar Lunch 2024!

 The Meath Writers' Circle ~ Calendar Launch 2024!

Just a word of thanks for everyone who turned out for what was the very successful launch of our 2024 calendar in Crocketts Bar of Bective. Also to thank the staff who accommodated us at short notice. It was an event tinged with sadness due to the passing away of our long time chairman Willie G. Hodgins who held the position since 2012. May he rest in peace.   

Cois Tine ~ An Tobar/Ardbraccan.

Cois Tine - An Tobar/Ardbraccan.  

A time of story, poetry and maybe song in An Tobar, Ardbraccan at 4 pm on Sunday 10th Dec.

 All most welcome!

Best wishes 

Jim Owens
Kiltale.

Tel: 087 967 6728

Orla Fay ~ Book Launch.

 Orla Fay ~ Book Launch ~ Antonia's Bookshop Trim. 

Orla and Antonia

Champagne Days!

Michael Farry 

Launching Orla's Book In Antonia's Bookship.

Published by Salmon Poetry.

Sunday saw the launch of Orla's first collection of poetry which is something for your bookshelves and  a book that would make an ideal Christmas gift given the quality of her writing. Will settle in over the holidays and read it one poem at a time!

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ Calendar Launch 2024!

 The Meath Writers' Circle ~ Calendar Launch 2024!

For those who've contributed to the above, a get-together has been arranged for this Wednesday night coming (6th December) in Crocketts Bar of Bective at 7pm, with 'Finger Food' served at 8 pm. I would like to thank all who have assisted for what was in many ways  a last minute decision or venture to get something out for the year. A number of copies will be issued to all involved and we'll play it from there! Anyone who'd like to drop in is more than welcome. 

*The Thursday night meeting in Navan Library will not take place. 

The Pogues - The Old Main Drag (BBC Radio 1 session 1985)

The Pogues ~ The Old Main Drag!

A touch of genius from the man himself! RIP. Loaded by Chris Pell and with thanks. To youtube for both lyrics and comments.

The Broad Majestic Shannon - Official Video!

The Broad Majestic Shannon ~ Written by Shane MacGowan.

Just heard the news of the passing of Shane MacGowan who was one of Ireland's finest poets and songwriters. The above is a tribute by Liam Clancy and it was loaded by Anna Rodgers way back in 2008 and with thanks. Shane was born on Christmas Day 1957 and died today Thursday the 30th of November 2023. He will be missed. To youtube for the comments and further information.

Motherland ~ Natalie Merchant!

Motherland ~ Natalie Merchant!

Picked this up on late night radio a long time ago and as she says herself on another recording, 'a poem by Natalie Merchant'. To youtube for the comments on many sites and perhaps it's been best described as a masterpiece. Born in New York on October the 26th 1963 she has some serious back catalogue and could be described as being both politically active and charitable to say the least but then America seems to come up with these girls again and again and it's a long way back to the Carters and many others. I will leave you to enjoy whether you agree or not. From the Natalie Merchant site and with thanks.

Word Skin ~ Orla Fay.

 Word Skin ~ Orla Fay.

Orla Fay was editor of the 'Boyne Berries' literary magazine for many years and is now the editor of her own magazine 'Drawn to the Light' which is available both online and in hard copy. A winner and shortlisted in many competitions over the years, she invites all to the launch of her first collection in Antonia's Bookstore in Trim, County Meath on Sunday the 3rd of December at 2 pm where Michael Farry will do the honours. More information about the book is available on the Salmon Poetry website. Orla has been widely published and was the Poet Laureate (Poetry Town) Dunshaughlin in 2021. A native of Dunderry, County Meath she holds an MA in Digital Arts and Humanities from UCC. 

https://www.salmonpoetry.com  

Blog link to the right.

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure Group.

 

Poetry Session Tuesday evening 28th Nov at 7.30pm in An Tobar

JO

Jim Owens <jim@slip.ie>

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Mon 20/11/2023 09:56

Good morning Friends,

I hope the longer dark evenings are giving you more time to read and enjoy poetry. 

It may also give you some time to put pen to paper (or get to the keyboard) and get those thoughts down.....

Our November session is on Tuesday 28th November at 7.30 pm

Theme:  Well, two topics were mentioned at our last meeting

1. November

2. Christmas

The choice is yours. And as we always stress if a poem has caught your eye or heart feel welcome to share it with the group.

Please feel welcome to spread the word about the poetry session 

Jim O

087 9676728

Richard Burton reads 'Adlestrop' by Edward Thomas (1878-1917)

Richard Burton reads 'Adlestrop' by Edward Thomas  (1878 ~ 1917)

On of the late Tommy Murray's favourite poems and a quick load as my internet has been out for the past five days. This poem was written in 1914 before the 'Great War' or as it is referred to, 'The war to end all wars' and we know where that went. His friendship with Robert Frost and Frost's poem 'The Road Not Taken'  has its own interesting back story but I'll leave that for you poetry buffs to read up on. Time conspires. Loaded by 'metrisch' and with thanks. To Youtube for the comments. The service provided by Youtube and the old 'Share' button and the people who load their personal selections are as important as any university and contributes more or at least as much to society as any of our great schools. 

Death Of An Irish Woman - Michael Hartnett!

Death of an Irish Woman ~ Michael Hartnett!

A poet who came up for discussion at the last meeting of the An Tobar poetry group was Michael Hartnett and I've been meaning to look up some of his poetry ever since. Settled on the above and there are a number of videos of this one out there. Loaded by jdtvideo and performed by Paul Dunworth and Micháel Rowsome, (and with song) it was  filmed during 'Eigse Michael Hartnett 2014' so with thanks to all. Good is good as they say and he was rated one of Ireland's finest poets. To Wikipedia for a lot more information on his background.

Michael Hartnett: Born 18th of September 1941

                             Died: 13th of October 1999.

http://www.eigsemichaelhartnett.ie

Casey's Last Ride ~ Kris Kristofferson!

Casey's Last Ride ~ Kris Kristofferson!

A Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University in England; Kris Kristofferson here penned one of the finest songs about the hopelessness and decadence of the society that  we are all part of and it is one fine piece of poetry as well. I've seen him described as one of America's finest singer - songwriters, if not the finest and you can argue who is or isn't but he represents a hard edged but beautiful part of contemporary folk that few can match. He was born in Brownsville Texas on June 22nd 1936 and is one of the last of those outlaws. Loaded by the above and with thanks and for all the songs.  

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ November Meeting 2023!

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ November Meeting 2023!

The next meeting of our group is on this Thursday night coming (2nd November) in Navan Library at 7 pm and if you're reading this please come along as we'd like to finalize the details with regard to the 2024 calendar. Sure to be other things though as we also need to plan for a Christmas get-together. Hope to see you all there. All the best. FM.     

So Live Your Life – Chief Tecumseh (A Native American Poem)

So Live Your Life ~ Chief Tecumseh.

Tecumseh was a Shawnee Indian Chief who was born about 1768 in the Ohio region of the United States and was a warrior who formed an Indian confederation to try and prevent the further expansion of settlers into what were Indian tribal lands. He was killed during The Battle of the Thames in 1813 having sided with the British. He has since become a folk hero not just among the indigenous people but is also held in  high regard both in American and Canadian popular history. Loaded by Red Frost Motivation and with thanks. To Youtube for the comments.

Tecumseh - Born 1768 - Died October 5th 1813.

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure ~ October 2023!

 An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure ~ October 2023!

Poetry Session on Tuesday evening at 7.30pm 24th October.

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Thu 19/10/2023 20:49

Greetings Poetry Friends,

Here is hoping that you are enjoying

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

   Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; 

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

   With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

                                                                     JK

Our next poetry session is Tuesday evening 24th October at 7.30 pm .

Among the suggestions at our last meeting was to consider picking a sonnet. Below is some information on sonnets which is a taste of what Patricia shared with us the last night

The sonnet, which derived from the Italian word sonetto, meaning “a little sound or song," is "a popular classical form that has compelled poets for centuries," The most common—and simplest—type is known as the English or Shakespearean sonnet, but there are several other types.

Before Shakespeare's time, the word sonnet could be applied to any short lyric poem. In Renaissance Italy and then in Elizabethan England, the sonnet became a fixed poetic form, consisting of 14 lines, usually iambic pentameter in English.

Different types of sonnets evolved in the different languages of the poets writing them, with variations in rhyme scheme and metrical pattern. But all sonnets have a two-part thematic structure, containing a problem and solution, question and answer, or proposition and reinterpretation within their 14 lines and a volta, or turn, between the two parts.

Patrick Kavanagh in some of his poems used the sonnet format. Among them are 

• The Hospital, 
•  October 
•  Canal Bank Walk

But as is often said with regard to our group, the above about selecting a sonnet is a suggestion.   Please feel free to share any poem that says something to you as we edge towards Winter.

Looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday evening.

Leona has kindly agreed to chair our session.

And please feel most welcome to invite anyone else who may be interested in our poetry session.

Best wishes 

Jim

087 9676728