The Gift of the View ~ Orla Fay!

The Gift of the View ~ Orla Fay.

Orla Fay is an award winning and widely published poet from Dunderry in County Meath and her new poetry collection will be launched by Michael Farry in the Swift Cultural Centre in Trim on Sunday 31st of May at 6.00pm. Orla was the Poet Laureate (Poetry Town) for Dunshaughlin in 2021 and was the editor of the literary magazine Boyne Berries for many years. She now edits her own online and hard copy magazine at Drawn to the Light Press, which is both excellently presented and laid out, but also easily accessible. Her poetry just doesn't reflect on the world that's around her but also has the insight to make some very keen observations and the thread of virtues such as kindness is never far away. She can craft together a piece on any subject presented and her new collection 'The Gift of The View' is sure to offer new perspective.  

 

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 ~ October Meeting 2025!

The Meath Writers' Circle ~ October Meeting!

The next meeting of our group is on this Thursday coming the 2nd of October in Trim Library at 6.15 pm and everyone is welcome to attend. So whether your interest is poetry, short story writing, novels or music and song, we'd love to see you there. Also time to catch up on how the year has gone. All the best. FM.

William Rowan Hamilton in Trinity.

William Rowan Hamilton in Trinity.

When he was three years of age he was sent to live with his uncle who ran a school in Talbots Castle in Trim, County Meath and by the age of thirteen was said to be fluent in ( 15 - 13 - 12) languages. Depending on your source. His uncle I believe schooled him for a position in the East India Company. However fate or whatever would have different plans and he is best remembered today for his eureka moment along the Royal Canal. I leave it to you to read up on. In my humble opinion what really defined him as a character was his relationship with Catherine Disney and the trauma of their break up. The above video was loaded by Trinity College and with thanks. He wrote poetry as well, though I have never attended a reading where one was recited and his friend Wordsworth kindly suggested that science was a better direction. William Rowan Hamilton - 4th August 1805 - 2nd September 1865.

Cois Tine ~ An Tobar/Ardbraccan.

Cois Tine - An Tobar/Ardbraccan.  

A time of story, poetry and maybe song in An Tobar, Ardbraccan at 4 pm on Sunday 10th Dec.

 All most welcome!

Best wishes 

Jim Owens
Kiltale.

Tel: 087 967 6728

BullsArse ~ Navan Writing Group!

The above group are based in Navan, County Meath and were contributors to the recent Trim Poetry Festival. A chance to listen to some of their members and their poems. Videos from the Festival website and from youtube and with congratulations to Michael and Orla for the work done with regard to presentation. Will dip into a few more of them. A chance to listen at your leisure! 

Donaghpatrick Church/Fund Raising Event!

Donaghpatrick Church/Fundraising Event ~ Teltown House!

A selection of some photos taken at Teltown House yesterday evening, at an event to raise funds for Donaghpatrick Church. Situated close to the Blackwater river between Navan and Kells in County Meath, the event passed off in glorious sunshine. The music was provided by Brendan Kelly and Michael Fahy with some poetry readings from members of The Meath Writers' Circle. MCd by Peadar Farrelly, there were prizes a plenty and a barbeque with refreshments to cater for all! 

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure

An Tobar ~ Poetry for Pleasure

About fifteen people turned out for last Tuesday night's readings in Ardbraccan and for what was a very entertaining evening with a wide variety of poems read on a theme of "My Favourite Place." A light interpretation though was in order with Austin Clarke getting the lead off with "The Planter's Daughter" followed by Michael Longley's "Carrigskeewaun" and "The Leveret." Carol Ann Duffy's "Meeting Midnight" was followed by "Tara" by Carol Owens and Tom French's "The Shamrock Road." Sean Kane entertained with "The Two Travellers" by C. J. Boland, so be careful what you boast about. Willie G. Hodgins read "A Cradle for a King" and Claire Kane read Felix Halton's "The Banks of Lough Gowna. William Allingham's "Adieu to Ballyshannon" was followed by Eugene Kane reading "My Dream" and Sean Reilly reading Myra Lalor's "Gypsies of Long Ago." Myself I read "The Hejaz" and there was also a water colour by John G. Ryan displayed. Other poems included Una Leavy's "Going to Gowel", Macdara Woods "Above Pesaro" and "Estonian Fields" by Kevin Dwan. Admission Day" by Carol Owens and "The Green Kingdom" by Margaret Fagan were also included. Sure to have left something out but that was some collection of poems for one night! Eileanain Ni Chuilleanain also gets a mention. If I've left anyone out please remind! A reference to Ethna Cantwell and "41 Watergate Street" ? and to finish Patrick Kavanagh's "Inniskeen Road".

Boyne Berries 24/ Launch!

Boyne Berries 24/Launch!

Castle Arch Hotel

The 2018 Autumn issue of the Boyne Berries literary magazine will be launched in the Castle Arch Hotel in Trim, County Meath on Thursday the 4th of September at 8 pm by poet Miceál Kearney. Miceál lives in the west of Ireland and began writing in 2001. He has had poems and short stories published in Ireland, the UK and worldwide; both in print and online. Check out his info over on the Boyne Berries Blogsite. Link to the right. Boyne Berries is edited by poet Orla Fay, copy edited by poet Francis Browne and with cover design by poet and illustrator Rory O' Sullivan. All are welcome on the night and entry to the launch is free.Contributors will read and copies of the magazine will be available for sale. Also a list of contributors is available on the website. The Boyne Writers group was founded in March 2006 and meets twice monthly in the Castle Arch Hotel.

Bective Abbey/ County Meath.

Bective Abbey!

Bective Abbey /County Meath

Passing Bective Abbey yesterday I stopped to take a photograph and not a very good one perhaps but if you're ever in the vicinity it's always worth a visit. The history of it goes back before the Normans and it's an important landmark, for those who are interested. The River Boyne runs close beside it and it's open for anyone who wants to visit. But as they say heed the signs! Below is a verse from a poem I came across in the "Kilmessan and Dunsany Yearbook 1993".  

"A peasant passing through Louvain
With dew-dimmed eyes would sadly see
The shattered shrines and fallen fane
And every field a cemetery
Place him on Tara's Hill
The same sad sights 
The landscape fill!

Philip. E. Daly 
(Late of Bective)