The Meath Writers' Circle ~ November 2024!

 The Meath Writers' Circle ~ November 2024!

The next meeting of our group is on this Thursday night coming (7th November) in Trim Library at 6.15 pm ending at 8.15 pm and everyone is more than welcome to attend. Bring a poem or story or even a song or just sit in for the conversation. Hope to get an update on our book for Christmas and interesting to see how it turns out. Until then; over and out!

Kilburn 1970:The Class of Fifty Seven.

Kilburn 1970: The Class of Fifty Seven.

This is the Youtube version. Thought I'd share. Enjoy!

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure/October 2024!

 An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure/ October 20241

Folks,

A quick reminder that we have our poetry session tomorrow evening, Tuesday 29th October at 7.30pm 

As agreed on the last evening we will continue to draw on the poetry of Leonard Cohen.

But any poem is most welcome including one penned by your very self.

Hope you can join us

Slán go fóill 

Jim

087 9676728

Kilburn 1970: The Class of Fifty Seven!

Kilburn 1970: The Class of Fifty Seven!

Quex Road Sundays, the talk outside the church was of going home for the summer. How many of them did I do not know. It was a life of building sites and Undergrounds, the new Victory Line and the music from public houses and houses off side streets. Games played back in Ireland and waiting for the Pubs to open.

The Class of Fifty Seven

Back for summertime vacations

Paid for Confirmations made

Last year's Debs

Or school reunions

With the shovel and the spade

The whole schoolyard assembled

With the writing on the wall

The class of Fifty Seven

And the Boat-Train called.

Danced round tunes 

Played on a Sunday

Whiskey talk of going home 

On the streets off Kilburn High Road

Cricklewood or Camden Town

The Mission Fields of Asia

The States the sessions and the craic

The ones who made it famous

The ones who never made it back.

Frank Murphy,

 

I Just Want To Be With You Tonight!

I Just Want To Be With You Tonight!

Written by Frank Foley!

Made it into The Swift Sessions at the Cultural Centre in Trim last night but only just, as the traffic was something else and parking more than a little difficult. Hosted by Michael Farry the featured guest was Frank Foley the former Meath county player and someone who is also a singer-songwriter as the above more than demonstrates. A beautiful piece that is performed here by local artist Kathy Crinion and it makes you wonder why you don't hear more of them on local or national media. The above was loaded by Kathy Crinion and with thanks. To Youtube for the comments.  

The Lost Roads of South Meath!

The Lost Roads of South Meath!

I recorded this video a number of years back for the SiarScéal Festival in Rroscommon and tried loading it directly to the Blog, but no go! Too much data. So I loaded it to Youtube instead and hit the share button and hopefully it plays OK. Enjoy! 

Janis Joplin // Me and Bobby McGee // Acoustic Version // 1970

Janis Joplin ~ Me and Bobby Magee ~ Acoustic Version 1970.

Loaded by 'HotRockinJohnny' this is in my opinion the best version of the Kristofferson classic out there. So with thanks. Go to Youtube and his site for the many comments. Enjoy!

Kris Kristofferson - Here Comes That Rainbow Again (The Highwaymen, 1995)

Kris Kristofferson ~ June 22nd 1936 - September 28th 2024.

Reading a newspaper columnist on the passing of one of America's great singer-songwriters and poets, the  event was described not so much as the end of an era but the end of an idea. (Almost). Bland now is being kind. I'll leave you to judge for yourselves. Loaded by biggestkkfan and with thanks. Go to Youtube for the comments.

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ October 2024!

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ October 2024!

The next meeting of our group is on this Thursday night coming in Trim Library at 6.15 pm ending around 8.15 pm and all are welcome to attend. Bring a poem or a story or a little piece of music, whatever your interest, or just come along for the conversation. Hoping to finalize our book project for the Christmas season but we'll see how it goes. See you there. All the best. FM.

26th Francis Ledwidge Poetry Award 2024

26th. Francis Ledwidge

 Poetry Award 2024

 Trophy and Cash Prizes

                

  1^st Prize is the Ledwidge plaque (a keepsake) inscribed with the winner’s name & cash prize.  Cash prizes and books for Second and Third and merit certificates for finalists.                 

 In addition, the winner will be invited to read at the annual Francis Ledwidge Commemoration at the National War Memorial Gardens in July 2025.         

 Rules : The decision of the judges is final and no correspondence will be entered into following the results; entry implies compliance with this rule.  

Poems must be the competitor’s own work

not previously published or broadcast.

Poems should not exceed 40 lines of type

                        Name and address and telephone number on a separate sheet.

Entry fee: €5 per poem; 4 for €15

Max. 6 poems (€25) payable to the Inchicore Ledwidge Society

 

 Cheque, or Revolut to 0858497531. For online entries copy & paste Email address  which is the same for PayPal: L for Liam underscored as follows; l_omeara@yahoo.co.uk

 S.A.E. or Email address for winners list. Poems will not be returned.

All entries must be submitted before 5^th. November 2024 to

 

The 25th Francis Ledwidge International Poetry Award 2024,

C/o 20, Emmet Crescent. St Vincent Street West.

 

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure/ Ardbraccan, Navan!

 An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure!

Folks,

A quick reminder. 

Poetry this evening at 7.30 pm

Theme: Leonard Cohen.

He was born on 21st September 1934.

We need to mark his 90th birthday. 

Hope you can join us.

Jim

087 9676728 

The Swift Sessions - Swift Cultural Centre, Trim, County Meath.

 The Swift Sessions ~ Swift Cultural Centre, Trim, County Meath.

Michael Farry

At Mic!

Presented by the Boyne Writers Group and with Michael Farry as master of ceremonies, the guest reader on the first night was Orla Fay who read from her recent publication Word Skin. Many others contributed as well to what was a variety of poetry and prose with a number of outstanding pieces, including a surprise or two! The readings were in the Theatre itself and the night ended on a song by Matt Gilsenan. Open Mic and with free admission, stay tuned. 

Evidently Chickentown - John Cooper Clarke (lyrics)

Evidently Chickentown ~ John Cooper Clarke (Lyrics)

Came across him (again) on Arena on RTE a few nights past and remembered him being interviewed by Tommy Tiernan on his talk show. Born in Salford in 1949, John Cooper Clarke is the poet who really made it. Awarded an honorary doctorate of the arts by the University of Salford in 2013, ten years later he was made an honorary freeman of the city, its highest award. Described Charles Baudelaire and Shakespeare as the only people he thought better than him and who am I to argue the point. The above is considered one of his best poems. Must go watch the Sopranos end piece and perhaps load that as well. With thanks to Vulgar Highway who posted. Go to YouTube for the comments.

Siarscéal Celebration Day 2024!

 Dear friends,

 

The year’s Siarscéal Celebration Day will be held in Roscommon Library on Saturday, 14^st September, 2-4pm.

 

I would be most obliged if you could spread the word to all who may be interested.

 

It will be a great day, with plenty of music and craic and where we will get to hear some of Roscommon’s youngest and newest authors reading from their work - Siarsceal Website (siarscealfestival.com)

 

Fáilte roimh chách!

 

Ruairí Ó hAodha | Executive Librarian | Roscommon County Library HQ, The Old Infirmary, Abbeytown, Roscommon, F42 RP49

(090) 6637312 | rohaodha@roscommoncoco.ie

www.roscommoncoco.ie/libraries

🌐  www.roscommoncoco.ie/libraries

📚 roscommon.spydus.ie

The Swift Sessions ~ The Swift Cultural Center, Trim, County Meath.

 The Swift Sessions!

From Michael Farry

The Boyne Writers Group

If you happen to be in the Trim area of County Meath on the 19th then why not drop in to The Swift Cultural Center for a night of entertainment where the featured reader is Orla Fay. The Boyne Writers produced a series of beautiful magazines from Spring 2007 up to the Covid period and the guest reader on the night now runs her own successful online and hard - copy magazine, Drawn to the Light. The above should prove really interesting. Congratulations to all involved.

A Brief History of John Boyle O'Reilly!

A Brief History of John Boyle O' Reilly!

A little information on a man from the Royal County of Meath here in Ireland and with thanks to HullTVTube for the above. Hull is a town in Massachusetts in the United States, which was his home place but added to that, curious there is so little to remember him here. 

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ September Meeting 2024!

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ September Meeting 2024.

The next meeting of the group is on this Thursday night coming at 6.15 pm in Trim Library and all are welcome to attend. So whether you're into poetry or prose or just want to come along and listen in then we'd love to see you there. Even bring a song or two. The evening ends at 8.15 pm. Hope to get something together for Christmas but we'll see how it goes. All the best.   

John Boyle O'Reilly: Voice of Boston's Irish!

John Boyle O' Reilly ~ Voice of Boston's Irish!

28th June 1844 - August 10th 1890.

Very much one of Meath's forgotten poets, but if you go back to December 11 2010, on this Blog, there's a small article giving some info on his background and history. I remember looking for some videos back then but there were only a few, though I notice there are a number of others posted now and I'll have a look through and maybe post another one. This one was loaded by 'Boston History' and with thanks. Enjoy!  

James Linnane R.I.P.

James Linnane  R.I.P. ~ 1962 - 21st August 2024.

Security at Scurlogstown Olympiad

James Linnane was a writer, poet and storyteller from Ballivor in County Meath, although he was originally from Kinvara in the west of Ireland. A member of both The Meath Writers' Circle and the Boyne Writers he was also involved with the Scurlogstown Olympiad and The Royal Meath Show as well as many other groups. A community and social activist he was a go to man if you wanted an alternative view and allowing for such was friendly with everyone he met. The author of five books of both poetry and prose, his first, published in New York in 1988 (Never take an Irishman seriously unless he's armed) gives you some insight into the humour of the man and if you type his name into the search box for this blog you'll get an idea of the other adventures that occupied his life. The link to his own site is to the right, where he was never afraid to air his views and much of the content there is no longer available. Men like James Linnane are invaluable to any community in that they present you with information that will not make it onto the Nine O' Clock News and while you can judge for yourself, if allowed to, it is something that takes more than a little courage. James you will be missed.  

 

Motherland ~ Natalie Merchant (with lyrics)

Motherland ~ Natalie Merchant

To indulge myself on a day when I should be outside doing something, here's a wonderful piece of both poetry and music from the American singer - songwriter Natalie Merchant. A visit to Wikipedia to check out her background is a must. When you compare the quality of this to some of what passes for popular music now you just give up. Posted by India and with thanks. Enjoy!

* To YouTube for the comments.

A Turn at Tara 2024!

 

Feis Teamhra/A Turn at Tara, which features readings and performances by internationally recognized Irish writers and musicians, will be held from 3pm on Sunday August 18 2024 in the Visitors' Centre on the Hill of Tara, County Meath.

Good afternoon folks.

Carol Owens has kindly brought this notice for our attention. 

In September the poetry group is back  on Tuesday 24th Sept at 7.30.pm.

Theme poetry of Leonard Cohen.

His 90th birthday is around this time.

Hallelujah. 

Slán go fóill 

Jim.

Troubadour International Poetry Prize 2024!

 

troubadour international poetry prize 2024   judged by jane yeh & glyn maxwell first prize £2,000 second prize £1,000 third prize £500 plus 20 commendeds plus — winners read with judges at 2024 online international prize-night celebration on mon 9 dec   poems on any subject  submit via email & pay online by mon 23 sep 2024 results announced mon 9 dec 2024 full details on coffee-house poetry website   judges Jane Yeh was born in New Jersey, educated at Harvard & University of Iowa, now lives in London, & has degrees from Manchester Metropolitan, & London’s Royal Holloway Universities. She lectures in Creative Writing at the Open University, writes on books, theatre, & fashion for, among others, Poetry Review & Village Voice, & has published (with Sally O’Reilly) Creative Writing: A Workbook with Readings (Routledge, 2022). Her first collection, Marabou, was shortlisted for Whitbread, Forward, & Aldeburgh prizes, she was named as a Poetry Book Society Next Generation Poet for The Ninjas & her latest, a Poetry Book Society Recommendation & one of the Guardian’s best books of 2019, is The Discipline (Carcanet).   Glyn Maxwell, poet, playwright, novelist, librettist & critic, born in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, has studied at Oxford & Boston, & taught in Amherst, New York & London. His poetry collections include The Nerve, which won the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize, & The Breakage, Hide Now, Pluto, & his latest, How the Hell Are You (Picador, 2020), all of which were shortlisted for either Forward or TS Eliot prizes. His plays have been staged in London & New York, & his opera libretti at Glyndebourne, Royal Opera House, & on tour. He has edited Derek Walcott’s collected poems, & published (with Oberon) On Poetry, a guidebook for the general reader, & Drinks with Dead Poets, a uniquely inventive novel encounter with poetry’s greats.    judges read all poems submitted   Check out winners, winning poems & judges’ reports, 2023 & prior, on our previous-winners’-poems page.

­ Click here for  Troubadour International Poetry Prize 2024 submission rules & online payment options ­

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ August Meeting 2024!

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ August Meeting 2024!

The next meeting of our group is believe it or not 'tonight' and I'll have to reprimand myself for not putting the notification up sooner. So if you happen to be in the Trim area of County Meath, or even close then why not drop in to Trim Library between 6.15 pm to 8.15 pm for an evening of poetry and prose. All are welcome to attend and there is no cost. Feel free to bring a piece you've written yourself or something by a favourite writer or if you just want to sit in and listen; no problem . The theme or prompt from last month's gathering was on the subject of healing so it will be very interesting to hear the contributions. Hope to see you there. FM. 

Drawn to the Light ~ Issue 12 /June 2024!

 Drawn to the Light ~ Issue 12 / June 2024!

The twelfth issue of 'Drawn to the Light' has its focus primarily set towards observations of place and change, in relation to 'seeing' and in how that relates to the personal. A theme that makes for a very interesting read and one that perhaps should be explored more in relation to our other senses. But there is other content here as well and contributions from some of Ireland's best known writers. Orla Fay was editor of the Boyne Writers literary magazine 'Boyne Berries' and this her own production is very classy and professional indeed and would grace any bookshelf, though you can read for free on her website. A winner of many awards for her writing she is one of Meath's best known poets.  

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure/ July 2024!

 An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure/July 2024!

Friends,

July is racing to a conclusion.

But before it concludes we have our July meeting this coming Tuesday 30th July at 7.30 pm and as usual it is in the welcoming space of An Tobar, Ardbaccan.

The guiding theme is the renowned poet Austin Clarke (1896-1974).

But anything that takes your fancy is welcome.

Carol Owens is kindly reminding us that on this Sunday 28th July at 3 pm the annual Ledwidge Day at his former family home, now a delightful museum, takes place.

See note below.

We take a break for August and back again on 24th September le cunamh Dé.

Hopefully see you Tuesday evening. 

Slán go fóill 

Jim Owens

0879676728

The Ledwidge committee are very much looking forward to Ledwidge Day at the museum garden on Sunday 28th July at 3pm. This is our annual gathering to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Francis Ledwidge. The event will include poetry readings and musical accompaniment, and will conclude with a wreath laying ceremony to remember Francis Ledwidge and all from Co. Meath who lost their lives in World War 1. Should you wish to attend, we ask that you contact the museum in advance ( 041 9824544 ), as please be advised that limited parking will be available on the day at the Centre.

Finnegan's Wake: A 3 Minute Summary!

Finnegan's Wake : A 3 Minute Summary!

So for a Sunday morning and the book you have probably never read. Here 'Snap Summaries' leads you gently through the plot and there are many who would consider this the greatest book ever written and I suppose you'll have to decide for yourselves one way or the other. The best way is to ease your way into what has been described as an experience. With thanks to 'Snap Summaries' and go to Youtube for the comments.

The Ballybunion Arts Festival 2024!

The Ballybunion Arts Festival 2024!

The festival runs from the 18th of July to the 21st and is packed with events and celebrations, so if you happen to be in the southwest of Ireland over that period then why not drop for an event that is set in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Their poetry competition honours the feminist and political activist, poet and writer Shahidah Janjua (1949 - 2020) who spent the last fifteen years of her life in Castlegregory. Below is an interview with her from 'The Green Flame' podcast which gives a lot more detail of her background than I could write here. So from the share button and with thanks ...

 Shahidah Janjua

The Ballybunion Arts Festival 2024!

http://ballybunionartsfestival.ie

* For a great speech by another feminist go back to March 9th 2023 and March 12th 2014. (This Blog)

The Planter's Daughter - Ar Eirinn Ni Neosainn Cé Hí - Tommy Makem and L...

The Planter's Daughter - Ar Eirinn Ní Neosainn Cé Ní

The prompt for the next meeting at An Tobar is the poet Austin Clarke (1896 - 1974) and I thought I'd look up a poem of his which is perhaps one of his best known and recited most often. A beautiful piece it is used as the introduction here to Liam singing Ar Eirinn Ní Neosainn Cé Hí which translates as For Ireland I'd Not Tell Her Name. A story of a lost love that is said to have been written about 1810 in Kerry. The backstory here is worth checking out and if you go the comments section on Youtube there is some information there.The video was loaded by Ireland 1 so with thanks and appreciated. Liam Clancy - Tommy Makem - what can you say? This was recorded I believe in the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin in 1977.

* The Gaelic spelling here varies from site to site so I'll have to leave that to the scholars.  

The Yellow Bittern ~ Seamus Heaney!

The Yellow Bittern ~ Seamus Heaney!

Loaded by 'billyshears2010' and with thanks for all the effort. 

Seamus Heaney ( 13th April 1939 - 30th August 2013) 

Cathalbui Poetry Competition/Macnean Hedge School!

Cathalbui Poetry Competition/Macnean Hedge School!

Zoomed into the above for an afternoon of poetry reading and discussion on James Joyce's 'Finnegan's Wake. An event hosted by Thomas who has a more than an excellent knowledge of the subject. Delighted to be included on the shortlist. The background of Cathal Buí Mac Giolla Ghunna (1680 - 1756) suggests there is something to be said for the 'Drink' but I've been told his poem 'The Yellow Bittern' is now removed from the school books, I can remember a great reading of it by the late Liam Clancy which was available on Youtube for a while but am unable to find it now. Others reading the poem include no less than Seamus Heaney. A note of congratulations to all involved in the Hedge School and to the winning poets and writers.   

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ July Meeting 2024!

 The Meath Writers' Circle ~ July Meeting 2024!

Trim Library.

The next meeting of our group in Trim Library is on Thursday the 4th of July at 6.15 pm ending at approximately 8.15 pm. There is no set theme or prompt for the occasion so whatever you choose to read is just fine. Last month's gathering was very interesting and the meeting was perhaps one of the best ever in some of the material covered.  Everyone is welcome to attend so whether you're a poet or short story writer or just want to sit in and listen then you're more than welcome. Hope to see you there. FM. 

Kris Kristofferson - Sunday Morning Coming Down (1970)

Kris Kristofferson ~ Sunday Morning Coming Down (1970)

This was posted by 'biggestfan' so all credits to him and with thanks but also to Kris Kristofferson who wrote and recorded the piece. A day late and more than a dollar short it was his birthday yesterday. He was born on the 22nd of June 1936 so there's been a lot of Sunday mornings. Described as one of the greatest singer - songwriters of the past century; you can add poet to that. He has starred in many fine films as well. So many credits but you'll have to look them up. If I had to choose he's there with the very best. Journey over to Youtube to read the comments. 

An Tobar - Poetry for Pleasure/ Important Notice!

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure/Important Notice.

This Sunday 23rd June

there is special celebration in Navan to mark Mid Summer. Féile  na bPáiste.

Bernard Peppard and Carol Owens have kindly agreed to read some poems

in a slot at the festival from 1.30pm to 2pm

Support welcome if you are in Navan on Sunday 

An Tobar will have a table at the festival promoting the Centre

including our monthly poetry sessions.

Contact me or Carol carol.peacefulhaven@gmail.com if you can volunteer

a half hour to staff the table.

Many thanks 

Jim

0879676728