The Beacon ~ Johnny Duhan!

The Beacon ~ Johnny Duhan!

Given that it's 'Reek Sunday'. Something appropriate. Probably my favourite track by Johnny Duhan. With thanks to Orla Power who posted. To youtube for the comments.

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ August Meeting 2023!

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ August Meeting 2023!

The next meeting of the above group is on this Thursday night coming (3rd) at 7pm in Navan Library. All are welcome and there is no set theme, so whatever you want to read is fine. If you are passing or have any interest in poetry or short stories, or just want to listen and have a little time on your hands, then why not drop in for a while. Hope to see you there. 

Kris Kristofferson - Sister Sinéad (2009)

Kris Kristofferson ~ Sister Sinéad. 

There's been so much written in the past couple of days about Sinéad and her musical talents and beliefs and by those who didn't support her one way or the other but she was never afraid to express them whether you agreed with her or not. Few artists today will do that and Kris Kristofferson's tribute above was in the face of a hostile crowd. Who else would have done that? W.B. Yeats, Van Morrisson, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie etc. The awful silence of the rest....

The above video was posted by 'biggestkkfan' and with thanks. Go to youtube to read the comments.

Sinéad O'Connor - You're The One - Live at NCH Dublin Jan. 15th 2018!

Sinéad O' Connor ~ You're The One ~ Live at NCH Dublin January 15th 2018!

Sinéad could inhabit any song from any genre she cared to touch into and her death leaves the world a poorer place. Enough said. The video above was loaded by Paul Ward and with thanks. To youtube for the comments. From Shane MacGowan's 60th birthday concert. A tribute from one musical genius to another.

The Jonathan Swift Creative Writing Awards 2023!

 The Jonathan Swift Creative Writing Awards 2023!

This competition by the Saggart Heritage & Arts Centre has a closing date of Monday 4th of September 2023, so still plenty of time to get your entries in. The cover charge is €5 per poem, or 3 poems for €12 with a max of six poems and €7 for a prose piece. Make your entries payable to Saggart Literary Project Writing Awards. 

Ms Maria Wallace and Michael Whelan will judge the competition and winners will be notified a week in advance and invited to read their work. The award ceremony will be at the Heritage Centre in Saggart, Co. Dublin, on Saturday 7th October 2023 4-6 pm.

Address your entries to: Margaret Ennis 'Teach Giuise' Boherboy, Saggart, Co. Dublin.

Entries may be in Irish or English not to exceed 45 lines for poetry or 1500 words for short stories.

Original work only and must not have been published or broadcast previously. Times New Roman point 12 single spacing on plain white sheet without decoration. Authors must not have a collection published by a Publishing House.  

AnTobar~ Poetry for Pleasure!

 An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure

Greetings poetry lovers,      

I am writing to you from Mayo, the County of that well loved poet Antoine Ó Raifteirí (Raftery) (1779-1835) 

We have our next session on Tuesday 25th July at 7.30pm in An Tobar, Ardbraccan. I will be back from the many delights of Mayo as ...

We hadn't fully finalized a theme.

But two were proposed.

1. Something connected with Summer

2. Poetry from an American poet. 

We may have someone with us on Tuesday who now lives in USA. 

 The choice of theme is yours.

Jim Owens

Tel: 087 967 6728

Skipping Reels Of Rhyme: a little riff on Dylan

Skipping Reels Of Rhyme: A little riff on Dylan!

Malcolm Guite.

Poet, priest and singer-songwriter, the above by Malcolm Guite was brought to my attention only yesterday by Sean Reilly of The Meath Writers' Circle and is really worth a little of your time. I won't fill in the background on Malcolm Tuite. You'll have to go to Wikipedia for that as it is more than considerable and he has other videos on Youtube as well. Enjoy! With thanks to Malcolm Guite who posted.

Gerry Murray reads Patrick Kavanagh’s ‘Bluebells For Love.’

Gerry Murray reads Patrick Kavanagh's  'Bluebells For Love' 

Would have walked through some of those woods myself many times but never as far as Drumree Station. That girl sure inspired him to write. She died in 1991. Many thanks to Gerry Murray who posted. Drumree was the station that served Dunshaughlin and the surrounding area though Dunsany Castle was probably as close to the Kilmessan station as Drumree. The rail line was pulled up around the late fifties having been in operation nearly one hundred years. Exact date depends? 

Copperhead Road: Appalachia's Road Behind the Song.

Copperhead Road: Appalachia's Road Behind the Song!

Since it's the fourth of July best to load something appropriate. The song itself has millions of views and about 236 million on the official Steve Earl site. It is now one of Tennessee's official state songs and I couldn't imagine that happening here given the way things are going with regard to political correctness. The above video was posted by 'Mountain Roots' and it will take you on a drive through what is absolutely beautiful countryside. With artists here on government bursaries they won't be writing Copperhead Roads. With thanks to who posted. Enjoyed!. To Youtube for comments.  

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ July Meeting 2023!

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ July Meeting 2023!

The next meeting of the above group is on this Thursday night coming  in Navan Library at 7 pm and hope to see you there. Now in existence for over thirty years it would be nice to see it continue well into the future and new members would be especially welcome. Anything you wish to read or contribute is fine, whether it is your own piece or something by another poet or writer or even songwriter. Over the years we've had one or two really good singers in the group so feel free. If you're passing or free on the night do drop in.