F.R. Higgins Wreath Laying Ceremony 2014 /Laracor.

F. R. Higgins Wreath Laying Ceremony 2014/ Laracor.

Willie G. Hodgins, Carmel Murray and Josephine Murray

Josephine Murray, wife of the late Tommy Murray did the honours last night by laying a wreath at the grave of the poet F. R. Higgins in Laracor graveyard. Part of the annual High Nellie cycle event and start of the Scurlogstown Olympiad fest, members of the group stop off each year and read poems at the graveside. A selection of his poems were published last year by Arlen House and Poetry Ireland, titled "Father and Son", which is perhaps his best known poem and available on you tube, read by no less than Pierce Brosnan. A copy of the above is well worth getting your hands on

and some other poems from the book are out there as well including "Auction" and "Song of the Clatter-Bones" read by Spoken Verse. Laracor is also known for its association with Jonathan Swift, so well worth a visit on your poetry trail.

Scurlogstown Olympiad/High Nellies 2013

Scurlogstown Olympiad/ High Nellies 2013.

Friday night last at Jack Quinn's saw the launch of this year's Traditional Hay Making Festival with a High Nelly cycle tour around Trim stopping at various points for refreshments or other supplements! A massive crowd of over three hundred and fifty turned out on what was a warm summer's evening with everyone in good spirits or on their way to where such could be acquired. The event itself seems to get bigger every year but for the Haymaking Festival you will have to wait until Sunday the 16th in the Porchfields when there is sure to be something to every one's taste, be it adventure or delight.

Christopher Gray

One of the stopping off points each year on the cycle tour is the old church and graveyard at Laracor where the poet F. R. Higgins is buried and this year a wreath was laid by Christopher Gray of Higginsbrook House Trim who is a relation of the poet. He gave a fine reading of "Father and Son" which is perhaps the poet's best know poem and also handed out a number of leaflets inviting people to the launch of a new edition of the poet's work which is due out later in the year. Selected and edited by R. Dardis Clarke. More photos of the above to follow!