John F. Kennedy's tour of Ireland 1963.

John F. Kennedy's tour of Ireland 1963.

Produced by The Columban Fathers the above video recalls the events of sixty years ago when JFK visited Ireland. His remark that ," Other days may not be so bright as we look towards the future" would be all too prophetic and most people still alive from then will remember where they were when they heard the news of his assassination. America never really recovered from his death or indeed that of his brother Bobby, or the great leaders of the black civil rights movement. Reading lately that RFK Jnr has thrown his hat in the ring for the Presidency. Now wouldn't that be embarrassing for the media here and not just RTE. Posted by CR's Video Vaults and with thanks. To Youtube for the comments.

Bob Dylan - Masters of War (Lyrics)

Bob Dylan ~ Masters of War!

Sixty years now since the above was recorded and we have learned nothing better than to hold consultative forums on how to become better engaged. I remember watching 'Anzio' a long time ago, starring Peter Falk and Robert Mitchum and I think one of them said to the other something along the lines of the thing about war is that men like killing each other and there lies the nub of the problem. We even get a good deal of our entertainment from violence. Not sure 'good deal' are the terms you'd employ. I could be wrong about that film and it might have been another one and I'm too lazy to chase it down this fine morning but any sane person who has ever been 'there' doesn't want to go back. The Irish Passport is really worth something and to endanger that ..... Posted by RVibes and with thanks. To youtube for the comments

Dolly Parton - World On Fire (From The 58th ACM Awards)

Dolly Parton ~ World on Fire,

Dolly at 77 telling them how it is. Not since Dylan. Just been listening to RTE. Not too sure what's been going on there but the odd self congratulatory note kept creeping in about how well they did during the Covid or Banking crisis. Must have been listening to another station with the same name. Anyway good one Dolly! Posted by the same and with thanks.

The Scurlogstown Olympiad 2023!

The Scurlogstown Olympiad 2023!

Pat Farrelly

Chief organizer of the Olympiad Group.

Iris Douglas

Michael Durkan

Land Commission Stand

The Meath Writers' Circle

Statue of Hugh de Lacy

The Boyne.

Fortune Teller.

Just a few of the photos taken last Sunday at the Scurlogstown Olympiad and Haymaking Festival.

 

Discover Bedford Park with W B Yeats.

Discover Bedford Park with W B Yeats!

For anyone with an interest in writing and poetry a visit to London will not now be complete without including the above in your itinerary. Yeats was one of the greatest poets of them all, if not the greatest, though I'm sure many others would argue the point but there were few if any who had the influence he did or the courage whether you agreed with him or not. A winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1923 he was born in June 1865 and died in 1939. Loaded by chiswickbuzz and with thanks.

"Did that play of mine send out/Certain men the English shot? 

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure!

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure!

This month's meeting of the above group is on this Tuesday night coming, the 20th of June at 7.30 pm in Ardbraccan and all are welcome. The guiding theme is 'Journey' but anything you read will be appreciated. So if you are a poetry lover and would like to read a piece or perhaps someone who'd enjoy an evening out in very comfortable surroundings, please drop in. 

Contact Jim at 087 967 6728.

Bloomsday in Dublin!

Bloomsday In Dublin!

A day late as they say but something to mark Bloomsday which was yesterday. Loaded by Discover Ireland and with thanks.

Wreath Laying Ceremony ~ Tommy Murray June 2023!

 Wreath Laying Ceremony ~ Tommy Murray June 2023!

Some photos taken tonight at the wreath laying ceremony in St Loman's Cemetery Trim.

Grave of Tommy Murray.

Poems read and stories told.

Event organized by Pat Farrelly of The Scurlogstown Olympiad Group.

Wreath Laying Ceremony ~ Tommy Murray.

 Scurlogstown Olympiad Group ~ Wreath Laying Ceremony for Tommy Murray.

There will be a wreath laying ceremony in St Loman's Cemetery in Trim tomorrow evening at 7 pm for the late Trim poet and writer Tommy Murray. Tommy was a founder member and chairman of The Meath Writers' Circle from the early nineties until his death in November 2012 and his poems and stories will be as popular in future times as they are today. Published by Lapwing and Nonsuch his interests in local history were also recorded and I managed to record a few of his poems for the Blog not long before he passed away. The last one was posted on Thursday the 8th of November 2012. 'Hometown'.

Tommy Murray died Saturday 3rd of November 2012.  

Charity Event Worth Supporting!

 Charity Event Worth Supporting!

Jim,

We are hosting a coffee morning next Saturday, June 17th, from 10 am until 3 pm. This is to raise funds for Meath River Rescue, a voluntary organisation made up of around 20 swimmers and divers {rescue and recovery) who are based in Navan and who totally rely on public donations.

The coffee morning will be held at Herberts' Cottage. 

Eircode  C15XF84. We hope you can attend.

The cost is 10 euro per person.

James McConnell and Olivia Barnes.

* From Jim Owens of 'The An Tobar Poetry for Pleasure Group'

Contact: 087 967 6728

James McConnell - Contact: 085 782 9966

Flame - Eleanor Shanley & Johnny Duhan

Flame ~ Eleanor Shanley & Johnny Duhan!

I came across this on a late night radio show (I think) and it brought me to his Facebook page which is well worth the visit. Also 'The Beacon' would be a favourite of mine from a long time ago and he had a very interesting series on different musical artists and their input to both the creative arts and popular music during the Covid crisis. The trouble is when you start listening to him an hour or more has passed and the above which I had intended to load in five minutes is getting near lunch time. His voice is one of the most distinctive in popular music and the covers of his songs are rarely as good as the original. One of the few artists on popular media that will keep you enthralled. Loaded by Johnny Duhan and with thanks. To youtube for enhanced viewing,

June By Francis Ledwidge - An Incredible Poem.

June by Francis Ledwidge!

You can not say you've been to Meath unless you've visited the Ledwidge Cottage in Slane. One of the great Irish poets. The above was loaded by - Irish Round The World ~  And with thanks. 

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure Group!

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure Group!

Poetry Friends,

Greetings and a big welcome to June.

".......for June is short and we must joy in it, and dance and sing

And from her bounty draw her rosy worth"    F.L.

For this month only we are having our poetry group a week earlier than usual. The date is Tues 20th June at the usual time of 7.30pm in An Tobar.

The suggested theme is  Journey. 

 Feel welcome to interpret that as you see best!

Our exciting trip to the Seamus Heaney Centre is on Saturday 24th June.

Meanwhile, enjoy the good weather.

Jim Owens.

Mobile: 087 9676728 

*Please note that all places on the bus are now full for the trip north.