The Meath Writers' Circle ~ September Meeting 2025!

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ September Meeting 2025!

The next meeting of our writing group takes place this Thursday night coming the 4th of September in Trim Library at 6.15 pm and all are welcome to attend. The group has been in existence since 1991 and in that time we've produced many books and magazines and taken part in readings and festivals and not forgetting competitions and such. So whatever your interest in the writing sphere we'd love to see you there. Hoping to get something together for the end of the year. If you're passing why not drop in.

The Battle of the Books 2014. Swift Satire Festival, Trim.

The Battle of the Books 2014. Swift Satire Festival, Trim, County Meath.

Recorded by Paddy Smith of the Boyne Writers Group back when and one that I wasn't aware of  until I came across the F. R. Higgins video. Posted a number of these that Michael 'The Sheriff' Sheils recorded  but this I think was the last year of The Swift Satire Festival and the format was slightly different. Michael superb on the microphone and congratulation to Mark for the audience prize. Memories. Go to Youtube for further information and with thanks to Paddy Smith. 

Christopher Gray and the poet F. R. Higgins (1896-1941)

Christopher Gray and the poet F. R. Higgins (1896 - 1941)

Recorded by Paddy Smith of the Boyne Writers Group to mark All Ireland Poetry Day in 2013, Auction by F. R. Higgins is easily one of the finest poems ever to come out of this county. Recited here by Christopher Gray and with the last verse by Michael Farry it was originally posted on this site back in 2014. I came across it again a few days ago and said why not. This poem will hang there with Yeats or Kavanagh no trouble. There are many anthologies of Irish poetry out there but I've yet to come across one where it is included. Perhaps I don't read enough of them. If you should come across our magazine from 2018, there it is.

F. R. Higgins was born in Foxford Co. Mayo spending summers in Meath at his beloved Higginsbrook.

He is buried in the churchyard at Laracor, Trim Co. Meath. Once the parish church of Jonathan Swift. 

With thanks to Paddy Smith, Michael Farry and of course Christopher Gray and all who were there.

Kingfishr - Killeagh [Live On The 2 Johnnies Podcast]

Kingfishr - Live on The 2 Johnnies Podcast.

Killeagh Hurling Anthem.

Sport as they say is poetry in motion and after a week that served us up a classic in the All Ireland Final, give a listen to the above. The 2 Johnnies and Kingfishr get together to tell a story that has something of every parish in Ireland. Anyone who watched the camogie final at the weekend can only but be impressed by the ferocity and passion they brought to the game and what can you say. I'm no analyst but 'push-ups' and 'turn-overs' and 'possessions' does not do it justice. Borrowing from Mattie Ross that was some bully shot at the end and while referees and officials can't see everything there are issues that need to be addressed and the captains of each team should have the option in such cases to refer them to a video call. That said, two fantastic teams. With thanks to the 2 Johnnies and Kingfishr. Go to Youtube for comments and Wikipedia and other sources for background information on any or all all the above.

Mnemosyne Lay in Dust, Memories of Austin Clarke - A short film by S H Bean

Mnemosyne Lay In Dust ~ Memories of Austin Clarke.

A short film by S H Bean and loaded by UCC Ireland where the poet takes on the persona of Maurice Devane to recount his experiences in a mental hospital in Dublin and it is worth a little of your time to do some research on this, either via Youtube or Wikipedia or whatever source you find most suitable. I first came across Austin Clarke a long time ago from a recording by Liam Clancy 'The Planter's Daughter' and it's a piece of magic. He changes it some but there was nobody better than Liam to recite poetry. Locking people up in mental institutions and the awful outcomes of the practice was something of the norm back them and there are a number of books on the subject though the only one I've read was by Ken Kesey and sure you're all familiar with that. The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry is another and there is one much closer to home. Anyway, time to sign off - it's Sunday morning. With thanks to UCC and S H Bean.

Austin Clarke: 9 May 1896 - 19 March 1974

Mnemosyne: The Titan Godess of Memory.

The Frances Browne Poetry Competition 2025!

The Frances Browne Poetry Competition 2025!

This is an interesting one as you can submit poems in three languages. English, Irish or Ulster-Scots. The closing date for this is on August 20th and the entry fee is €5 for each poem. Lots of details about the competition and literary festival over on their website or you can use the link to the right via Poetry Ireland to get the details. Make sure to check out the entry requirements. Good Luck.

https://www.francesbrowneliteraryfestival.com

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ August Meeting!

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ August Meeting 2025!

The next meeting of our group is on Thursday next the 7th of the month at 6.15 pm in Trim Library and all are welcome to attend, so whatever your interest whether it is poetry or prose or music or you just want to sit in and listen we'd be delighted to see you. Hoping to get something in place for a Christmas launch so any ideas would be greatly appreciated. So if you're passing why not drop in for a while. FM.