Boyne Readings/Emer Davis.

Boyne Readings/Emer Davis

Emer Davis of the Viaduct Bards in Drogheda was the guest reader at last night's open mic session at the Knightsbridge Village Hall in Trim, though this time in the more intimate surroundings of the library rather than  the hall itself. Introduced by Paddy Smith she read from her recently published book of poems, "Kill Your Television" a title that owes its origin to the time she spent in the "Flatlands" of London. If that's not a contradiction in terms. I think she mentioned that her poems draw their influence in some way from the times she spent in Achill Island, though they touch on many subjects. She also read a good number on the experiences of women in the second world war and there seemed to be a constant thread of movement, or journeying throughout. It was one of the most interesting of the readings and more to be heard from this poet

Photos: Emer Davis and Emer Davis and Paddy Smith.

Boyne Readings/Willie G. Hodgins.

Boyne Readings.

On what was a beautiful summer's evening a fair number of people turned out at The Knightsbridge Village Hall in Trim to hear Willie G. Hodgins read from his collection "Sunflower" . A native of Faughan Hill Bohermeen Willie's poetry has been described as both refreshing and slightly mischievous (Paddy Smith: Meath Chronicle) and he knows how to tell a good short story as well. A number of other readers pitched in with some fine poetry and stories of personal interest. Tommy Murray had a copy of the new Meath Anthology by Tom French while James Linnane had another book, which I didn't get a good look at, by no less than Kieran Furey, (a friend of his) who got mentioned by Pat Duffy in a poem about Strokestown Co. Roscommon. It's a small world folks.

Illusion.

Dazzled by beauty the bloom is fair

Enjoying the colour, this flower is rare

Dream of a sweetheart I really love

Hoping the sun keeps shining above.

Loving each moment I stand and admire

Gazing in wonder my blood now on fire

Fearful to touch there may be a thorn

Wake from my dream, a cold winter's morn.

Willie G. Hodgins.

Photo: Pat Duffy, Willie G. Hodgins, Tommy Murray, and Paddy Smith.

Boyne Readings and Open Mic.

Boyne Readings.

Willie G. Hodgins of The Meath Writers' Circle is the guest reader at the next open mic session in The Knightsbridge Village Hall Trim Co. Meath. A native of Bohermeen, Willie has been writing poetry now for a good number of years, and also tries his hand at short stories and items of local interest. He launched his first book of poems "Sunflower" in Navan library back around April 2009 and if you enjoy good company by the fire this book is for you. On the night, the admission is €5 Euro, and tea and biscuits afterwards.

Photo: Willie reading at the launch in Navan Library.

Boyne Readings/Kate Dempsey.

Boyne Readings/Kate Dempsey.

Kate Dempsey of Maynooth and formerly of Coventry was the guest reader at the Open Mic session at The Knightsbridge Village last night. Widely published and winner of more than a few awards she entertained with poems that touched mostly on the personal with everything from getting engaged to the art of seduction to getting lost. Almost the same thing! There were others too about conkers and a box of love, if my memory serves me well. Which it doesn't sometimes. Monaghan mosquitoes and sherry trifle might be pushing the boat out a bit, but I'll give it a try! Kate Dempsey blogs at "Emerging Writer" so check it out. More details at both Michael Farry's and Orla Fay's blogsites.

Photo: Orla Fay, Kate Dempsey and Caroline Finn at the Boyne Readings.

Boyne Readings and Open Mic.

Boyne Readings and Open Mic.

The guest reader at the next open mic session in The Knightsbridge Village Hall is Kate Dempsey from Maynooth. Published in most of the literary magazines and winner of more than a few prizes for both poetry and fiction, there's also something about The Poetry Diva Collective who read at festivals and events! Sounds interesting and over to The Boyne Writers' Site for more details. April the 15th at 8pm in Trim for the above. Orla Fay of The Boyne Writers' Group is now blogging so add to your links list, and finally a mention for Michael Sheils (The Sheriff) who's just returned from places south. Something to do with mermaids. Not a whistle in sight!

Photo: Ruin of Galtrim Church Co. Meath.

Open Mic Readings March/Knightsbridge.2010

Open Mic.

The guest readers for the next open mic session at The Knightsbridge Village Hall are Ross Hattaway for poetry and Oran Ryan for prose. Dublin based and raised in New Zealand, Ross Hattaway's first book of poems "The Gentle Art of Rotting" was published by The Seven Towers Agency in Dublin in 2006, and there's an interesting title for a start. Widely published, further details can be found on The Boyne Writers' Website. Click on the link opposite.

Oran Ryan has had two novels published by The Seven Towers Agency, notably "The Death of Finn" and "Ten Short Novels by Arthur Kruger", again refer to The Boyne Writers' Site for further information. The Writers' Group have a busy month ahead as their literary magazine "Boyne Berries 7" is being launched at the Castle Arch Hotel in Trim on the 25th at 8pm and good luck to them with that.

So what can I leave you with? There's a film out there that should have got an Oscar and didn't. "In The Loop", check it out!

Photo: Cloisters: Bective Abbey.

Open Mic Readings Feb/Knightsbridge.2010

Open Mic Night

Susan Connolly and Michael Sheils were the guest readers at the first open mic session of the new year at the Knightsbridge Village Hall in Trim. One of Ireland's best known poets, Susan read of Banshees and window cleaners, and friendships, and the Maiden Tower, and others, while Michael read extracts from his book "Short Trousers Days in Navan". In between and after was an open mic session followed by tea or coffee and biscuits. And outside the temperature dropped to -5C. Somewhere..... far away...

Photos: Susan Connolly and Michael Sheils and what I think is the Maiden Tower at Mornington.

Open Mic Readings/Knightsbridge.

Open Mic Knightsbridge.

Brendan Carey Kinane and Michael Clemenger

were the guest readers at the December open mic session at the Knightsbridge Village Hall in Trim. Chaired by Paddy Smith of The Boyne Writers' Group, and indeed organised by the same , these readings have provided both an outlet and a focus for many of the writers and poets in the Meath area. Not suggesting that they are not one and the same. You have to be careful with poets.

Brendan Carey Kinane was the outright winner of The Boyle literary Festival in 2007 (poetry) and has won any number of awards since. He provided everyone with a chapbook of the poems he was about to read as did Michael Farry on a previous occasion. A very good idea

too. Michael Clemenger's book "Holy Terrors" is not for the faint hearted though it comes with a happy ending, or so I've been told. Yet to read. Described by the Minister at the launch as a book that should be compulsory reading, it tells of his time in St Joseph's Industrial School and the abuse he suffered while there. Published by O'Brien Press it is available in all good bookshops.

Paddy Smith ended the night with his own version of "We Three Kings" and by far the most interesting I've heard, and wished everyone a Happy Christmas, and so say all of us!

Photo: Paddy Smith and guest reader Michael Clemenger.

Boyne Readings and Open Mic.

Boyne Readings and Open Mic.

The next open mic session by the Boyne Writers' Group takes place in the Village Hall Knightsbridge in Trim on Thursday the 19th of November at 8pm. Guest Readers are Tom French for poetry and James Lawless for prose. More details on the Boyne Writers' Site opposite. Just click on the link. All are welcome. Admission at €5 euro.

Photo: Ruins of old church and cemetery at Knockmark Drumree Co. Meath

Open Mic Readings/Knightsbridge.

Open Mic Readings Knightsbridge.

Paddy Smith of The Boyne Writers' Group chaired the open mic readings which recommenced at The Knightsbridge Village Hall on Thursday the 15th of October. The guest readers were Marie MacSweeney who read some of her beautiful poetry and Michael Regan who kept everyone entertained with tales from his recent autobiography "Ten in a Bed".

Much ado about bell ringing, ringers, tight groupings, and those who were said to have fled. The curious absence of! Though the tea was fine!

Photos: Tommy Murray, Paddy Smith, and Paul Kerr.

Meath Writers' Circle.

A few members of the Meath Writers' Circle who were in attendance at the open mic sessions at the Knightsbridge Village.

Willie Hodgins, Mark Doyle and Michael (Sheriff) Shiels. All read from their works, either poems or short stories. More to come!

Opem Mic Knightsbridge.

Open Mic.

The readers at the third open mic at the Knightsbridge Village hall were Trim Poet Tommy Murray and country gentleman George Briscoe. Tommy read many of his prize winning poems including " Tobertynan Wood" and "The Famine Trilogy" touching lightly on the republic of greed and a little humour thrown in for good measure. George Briscoe is a natural born storyteller and read extracts from his memoirs, "The Best of Times" and " Running On". Bought a bridge over the river Boyne for sixty pounds. I daresay for another five he could have bought the railway off them. The plan going forward you might say.

Photos: Tommy Murray at Jack Quin's (High Nellies 2008)

Cover: Running On/ George Briscoe.

Open Mic Readings/Knightsbridge.

Paddy Meegan and Michael Farry were the guest readers at the second open mic session at the Knightsbridge Village Hall in Trim Co. Meath. Paddy Meegan read from his book "From The Life Around Me", while Michael Farry read some of his favourite poems and further to that provided everyone with a chapbook containing some of the poems he's had published. One for everyone in the audience as he said himself and not a bad idea.

Paddy Meegan's book contains some of the best traditional verse and prose introductions you will find and is a beautifully crafted book that would look well on any bookshelf, or coffee table. Well worth getting a copy of. Hardback at €25 Euro.

Photos: (1) Ashes and Snow. Chapbook.

(2) From The Life Around Me.

Open Mic Sessions.

The Boyne Writers' Group launch their open mic session or should that be season, at the Village Hall Knightbridge on the Longwood Road in Trim on the 16th of April. Pat Dunne and yours truly being the guest readers on the night. Hopefully it will be the first of many to come and give an opportunity to those in Meath and beyond who wish to read their work, or simply listen and enjoy good company! More details at http://www.boynewriters.com/ or just click on the link opposite. See you there.

Photograph: Church of Ireland/Killucan

Co. Westmeath Autumn 2008.