Brigid by Winifred Letts.

Brigid by Winifred Letts.

With thanks to Michael and Matt for this one and something to celebrate St. Brigid's day on the first of February. This is one of a series of videos and presentations that were produced by Michael Farry and Matt Gilsenan during the Covid period and afterwards. Winifred Letts was born in Salford, England to an English vicar father and an Irish mother and moved to Ireland when she was sixteen. Considered by many today as a poet of the first world war she was accomplished in many other interests as well, including Irish folklore. No shortage of information out there and a visit to Wikipedia is a good place to begin. Matt and Michael's videos are a fair source of information on many different items of interest especially from the musical or literary field and from a time when most others just lock-downed! 

Winifred Letts: 10th February 1882 - 7th June 1972

Dido - Grafton Street!

Dido ~ Grafton Street!

Going back to the last video and their version of Raglan Road, something I was only reminded of recently listening to the song/poem was the connection between the international star Dido and Hilda Moriarty. Dido's father was a nephew of Hilda. She married the late Donogh O' Malley who as Minister for Education introduced free secondary education to Ireland. Also reminds me of a story about the late Charlie Haughey who as Taoiseach of Ireland on hearing of her death addressed the Parliamentary Party and recited the poem from memory. He said it went over the heads of three quarters of them! Believe it.

Dido is said to have written the song Grafton Street from her album Safe Trip Home in memory of her father and with reference to Hilda and to have sang Raglan Road to him as he was dying. Chase the back stories up. The video above was loaded by Rene Alejo and with thanks. To Youtube for the comments.  

#5 Brush Shiels - Quest for Knowledge & Spiritual Enlightenment #5 w/ ve...

The Meath Manager and The Dublin Outlaw!

This one was loaded by none other that Brush Sheils himself and with thanks.There at the very beginning and with artists such as Gary Moore and Phil Lynnot, he was the front man with the band Skid Row in the late sixties and the early seventies and continues on to this day. His friend Sean Boylan was one of the great managers of Gaelic Football and the winner of four All Ireland titles and that's just a fraction of what he has won. Here they take you through artists such as Brendan Behan, Ewan MacColl, Pete St. John, a Dreaming my Dreams tribute to Noel Keating and Patrick Kavanagh meets Hilda Moriarty, Hey Jude from The Beatles and so much more. Stories about the Meath team and Manchester United, Liverpool and Celtic and holidays abroad and legends of the game. Stories about Sean's herbal business in Dunboyne and days that are now on the long goodbye. Sit in for half an hour and enjoy.

The Blower's Daughter Lyrics Damien Rice!

The Blower's Daughter Lyrics ~ Damien Rice!

A special thank you to jasminealloy who posted this presentation of the Damien Rice classic; as I chase down pieces of poetry I like. Loads of information about both of the artists that are performing here both over on Youtube and Wikipedia and many other sources that are worth a visit; on what is a beautiful composition. Take a visit over to the comment section for other people's reaction to this. Hope you enjoy.  A very close connection to County Meath here.

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure/ January 2026!

 An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure/ January 2026!

Let me wish you a belated happy New Year.

Our next poetry Session is on Tue 27th January.

We will stick to last Tuesday of the month.

The theme this month is a female poet

 or St Bridget/ Godess Brigid

We spoke about increasing our contribution from €5 to a bit more!!

 Whatever you can afford.

Our diligent editorial board are encouraging each of us to prepare pieces

for our first book from the group. 

They are suggesting two poems per member. 

Let me remind you  who are these generous volunteers on the board

Carol Owens 

Patrica Molloy

Francis Rock

Frank Murphy 

With the encouragement of Frank Murphy I am a junior minister.

I am a non voting member of the board, I am the gofer!!!

At the meeting we will explain about a special email address for submissions of poems for the attention of editorial board  for THE book. 

The bottom line is keep composing and once it is poetic composed by you and not published already is most welcome!!

See you, le cunamh Dé, on on Tuesday 27th January 

May the muse be with you

Jim

087 9676728 

 

 

Joan Baez - Diamonds and Rust (With Lyrics)

Joan Baez ~ Diamonds and Rust ,

Joan Baez is one of the greatest female artists of them all and with a beautiful singing voice and was one of the leading figures in the protest movements of the sixties. Here she touches on a relationship with another, who needs no introduction and before they went their separate ways. I'll let you listen! Go to Youtube for all the comments and to Wikipedia for all the background info and to someone who really understands music to appreciate her voice. This was posted by Dave Bing and with thanks for all the work putting it together. 

* Reason for loading again. Happy Birthday Joan Baez born January 9th 1941!

Goodnight Ballivor, I'll Sleep In Trim ~ John Quinn!

Goodnight Ballivor, I'll Sleep In Trim!

If you go back to September 2023 on this blog you can watch the excellent documentary made by TG4 on John Quinn's return to Ballivor, County Meath, the place where he grew up and it is worth the watch. John Quinn passed away on January the 1st 2026. Alternatively you can look it up on Youtube. Other videos relating to John from Kenny's Bookshop, Galway. 

John Quinn: December 11th 1941 - January 1st 2026.

Forgotten 'Poem'

 Forgotten!

An old poem of mine I came across while leafing through folders and something to say goodbye to another year. First published in a book of mine called 'Excursions' and that was more than a while ago.

Forgotten

What but for
 A few medals
And the coping stone
Of a wall surrendered
And the churchyards
Overgrown.

And a quiet carriage
Umbrellas rolled
Drumming our fingers
In the morning
Cold.

Frank Murphy.