Sir John Betjeman reads his poem "Christmas" (1954).

Sir John Betjeman reads his poem "Christmas" (1954)

One for the season, this poem was posted by antPDC and with thanks for the share button. If you go to Youtube there's lots of information and comments for your entertainment or enjoyment there and a visit to Wikipedia for a little background on a man who was Poet Laureate for the United Kingdom is worth the visit. He was a great friend of Ireland where he served as Press Attaché at The British Consular Mission. His poem on Thomas Moore (Ireland's Own or The Burial of Thomas Moore) is hard to find on Youtube and not often recited but that is also worth the search. Endless stories about his time here and a visit to the Betjeman Society web page is a must. Happy Christmas!

https://www.betjemansociety.com

Dan Fogelberg - Same Auld Lang Syne (Lyrics)

Dan Fogelberg ~ Same Auld Lang Syne (Lyrics)

Posted by Jonathan SK and with thanks this is one of the really great Christmas songs and is based on a true story but I'll let you look up the back story. Dan Fogelberg was a great songwriter and many of his songs have become music standards over the years. He passed away all too soon and could craft lyrics like few others. The story of this song, I posted back in 2018 but you'll have to go to Youtube for the video on that so I hope this one stays up. Look him up and with a few days to Christmas this one will haunt you. 

Dan Fogleberg: August 13th  1951 ~ December 16th 2007

"Before", read by Jean O'Brien!

"Before", read by Jean O' Brien!

Dublin poet Jean O' Brien goes deep here and a visit to her own web page where she includes a number of  other poems makes for an interesting read. This one is from the UCD Library Special Collection and with thanks. Her Facebook page has any number of insights and reference points and poems that touch on everything from the international to the most intimate. She has won numerous awards for her writing,

http://jeanobrienpoet.ie

The Francis Ledwidge Poetry Awards 2025 ~ Photos!

The Francis Ledwidge Poetry Awards 2025 ~ Photos!

 

Mary Jo Gibbons and Liam O' Meara

Jean O' Brien and Frank Murphy

Eithne Hogan and Sinead Mac Devitt

 Jean O' Brien and Honor Duff

Margaret Galvin
Winner of Francis Ledwidge Poetry Award 2025

Made it up to McDowells in Inchicore for the awards ceremony on Wednesday night last where Margaret Galvin was the winner with her poem 'Crows' and Glen Wilson (NI) came second with 'The Raven and the Road Mender'. Mary Jo Gibbons' poem 'Tentative Ceasefire' which came third I thought really impressive.

Other photos I will try again.

All at the Inchicore Ledwidge Society to be congratulated as this is their 27th year of the competition.

*Photos are courtesy of 'The Inchicore Ledwidge Society Facebook Page'.

 

The Francis Ledwidge Awards Ceremony 2025!

The Francis Ledwidge Awards Ceremony 2025!

Meath Writers Circle ~ Book Launch 2025!

 Meath Writers Circle ~ Book Launch!

The book launch for this year's collection of poems and stories took place on last Thursday night in Trim Library and while I've yet to read through, it is a beautiful production with congratulations due to our editor Ria Frost and to the publisher Peter Darby and of course to all who contributed or assisted in any way by submitting their stories or poems. Also a special mention to Clare Kane who has copies for sale at a special price of €10 Euro. This would make a lovely Christmas present for anyone interested in the writing scene in County Meath or those with local connections abroad. 

   

Clare Kane: 087 619 5858

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ December Meeting 2025!

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ December 2025!

The next meeting of our group takes place on this Thursday night coming at 6.15 pm in Trim Library and all are welcome to attend. Admission is free and whether you're a poet, short story writer or singer -songwriter or interested in writing a novel or you just want to sit in and listen, we'd love to see you there. This is our last meeting before Christmas and maybe some info about our book which includes material from all our members. Sure to be interesting. So another year has come and gone and to sign off wishing everyone out there a very 'Happy Christmas and New Year'. All the best!