Ledwidge 1917-2017

Ledwidge 1917-2017

Noel French, James Linnane,
Gemma Macey and Carmel Murray

Thursday night last saw an evening of music, poetry, story and song at St. Mary's Church of Ireland in Navan with MC for the night Noel French introducing a number of guests ending with an ecumenical and inter-faith service of prayer and the playing of the Last Post followed by one minutes silence and Reveille. There was also a welcome to members of ONE, chairperson of  Navan Shamrock Festival, Mayor Francis Deane and local attendees. 

Performers

(1) Sean Lynch - Last Post - Minute Silence - Reveille

(2) Welcome to members of ONE, Chairperson of Navan Shamrock Festival, Mayor Francis Deane and local attendees.

(3) John Donoghue - "Francis Ledwidge"

(4) Colm Yore - The House of Gold

(5) Gary O' Hare - The Blackbird of Slane

(6) Bob Lee - The Dead Kings

(7) Comhaltas Musicians - Two Airs/Marches

(8) Paul Murphy - Soliloquy

(9) John Doyle - Passchendaele

(10) Tony Brady - Down by a lone long river

(11) Michael Connaughton - The Maid of Rosnaree

(12) Danny Cusack - Seamús Heaney's - In Memoriam Francis Ledwidge

(13) Paddy Pryle - The Green Fields of France

(14) Bill Slattery - June followed by a short air

(15) Conclusion - Musicians and singers. 

Francis Ledwidge: War Poet

Dr Lucy Collins Of UCD discusses the poetry of  War Poet Francis Ledwidge. An event remembering Ledwidge will be held tonight in St Mary's Church of Ireland in Navan at 8 pm. Organised by the Navan Shamrock Festival and The Navan Singing Circle. With thanks to youtube and Century Ireland who posted.

Navan Shamrock Festival/Poetry Readings.

Navan Shamrock Festival/ Poetry Readings.

Some members of The Meath Writers' Circle and Small Impact Writers' Group Navan

A small though appreciative number turned out for the poetry readings at the Meath River Rescue Boathouse in Beechmount last Friday night and with tea to follow. This was part of the Navan Shamrock Festival and only one of the many events celebrating the feast day in the town. Though perhaps a more central venue might have proved better for those not too familiar in the surrounds! The Boathouse though is impressive enough and with a sign or two who knows. Some of the poems were very good and I managed to record a few of them, so see how they turn out! Paul Martin did a take on "Majorca" while Gemma Macey gave a fine reading of Jimmy Byrne's "Vision".  Jimmy's book of poems "Conflux" was published last year and is well worth while getting your hands on  He is a member of The Small Impact Writers' Group who meet in Navan Library every Wednesday morning. Videos to follow!