Felix Halton, Drumgore!

Felix Halton ~ 16th October 1915 - 12th October 2002!

At our Christmas Party or get-together on Tuesday night last, the talk turned to past members and especially to Bridie Halton and the work she did on compiling some of the poems of her cousin Felix, who was a gifted traditional poet from Drumgore, Loughduff, in County Cavan. I mentioned at the time that there were some of his recordings up on Youtube and although the sound quality may not be great they give you an insight into the character and upbeat nature of the man and his love for his native place. Bridie compiled these from audio recordings in a collection titled Among The Breffni Hills which was published by The Universal Publishing Group in 2014 and it was quite a feat. Bridie herself passed away on Friday the 6th on May 2022. The videos are by 'padohalton' and with thanks.

Poetry Night ~ Scurlogstown!

Poetry Night ~ Jack Quinn's Scurlogstown!

Our poetry night ~ 'Magazine Promotion' in Jack Quinn's of Scurlogstown on Thursday night was our last get-together for 2022 and we won't meet again until next February, so I hope everyone enjoys the Christmas festivities. It was a very mixed year in that we lost some of our valuable members due to sickness and other issues, so not so sure what 2023 will bring. There was a very good turn out for the event with plenty of poetry read, stories told and even a few songs. Also a few more magazines sold. Just a big thank you to everyone who came and contributed in any way and to the staff at Jack Quinn's for the food laid on and the use of their comfortable surroundings in the Lounge.

The Meath Writers' Circle/August 2017!

The Meath Writers' Circle/ August 2017!

About eight or nine people turned out for the August meeting of The Meath Writers' Circle, so a small number this time. The magazine is finished and with the printer and we should have a proof to go through for our next get together. Thanks to everyone who contributed a poem or article. A number of events coming up, or possible other projects, but yet to be ironed out and interesting to see how it goes. On the night we read some poems and stories and finished off with a song.

The Trees of Ballivor!

The Trees of Ballivor!

Noel French and Kieran Cummins

Made it down to Ballivor for an event that was part of National Heritage Week and organised or co-ordinated by Noel French and other members of the Ballivor Community Centre. The speaker was Kieran Cummins on the subject of trees and especially those that are native to the parish or the surrounding environs. Kieran is also a musician and photographer of note and his website has some interesting material if you click on the link below. The talk was followed by poetry readings from The Meath Writers' Circle on  the subject of trees and of course the conversation that followed and the tea and the hospitality was superb. With thanks to all there.

www.kierancummins.ie

Don't Miss A Great Night Out!

Ballad Session!

There will be a live music session followed by a D.J. at Glynn Diceys of Summerhill on Saturday the 24th of August starting at 9pm. Music is by the Kavanagh Brothers and the tickets are priced at €5 each though you can pay on the door I'm sure. Finger food and raffle on the night with the proceeds in aid of a book print for The Meath Writers' Circle. All are welcome! 

Table Quiz/Jack Quin's

Table Quiz!

Willie presenting the prize!

Well the fund raising goes on and last Friday night saw Jack Quin's of Scurlogstown as the venue for our table quiz.. Willie was the quiz-master for the night, if that's the correct term and I ended up doing the score board myself though Betty had them all totted up in short order indeed. The winning team was excellent and I think they only missed about three questions for the night though the runner-ups came a close second. Willie presented them with the prize and despite a few shouts from down the back, thanked everyone for coming and hoped they'd be there for the next one in Summerhill on the 28th of August. There was plenty of food,  good company, a lively atmosphere and I really didn't know some of the answers! 

Cowboy Poems!

Cowboy Poems!!

Following on from the last posting and in keeping with the day that's in it or something like that, I've had a "shot" at one or two of those poems myself. Spent too much time watching westerns I suppose. Anyway here's one from "Excursions".

One for the Road.

Quick Draw Competition
Scurlogstown 2010.

Just another old town

As the afternoon seeps

Through a chink in the blinds

Not a word on the street.

And the second hand sweeps

Through the minutes

Drawn out,

To the creak of a sign

As the afternoon sleeps.

And the metronome beat

Of the feet on the boards 

As you chamber the rounds

While the bartender pours.

To the chairs scraping back

And the swing of the doors

It was just an old town

And the one for the road.

Frank Murphy.

The Meath Writers' Circle (3) Video July 2012

Sean Reilly

"Base Details" is one of the many fine poems written by the poet Siegfried Sassoon about the conflicts or the hardships endured by the men who served in the First World War and is read here by Sean Reilly of The Meath Writers' Circle. Sean is better known as a singer of songs or a writer of short stories but he does this more than justice. If you scroll a bit further back you can listen to some of these and worth the journey! 

The Meath Writers' Circle Video (1) July 2012

Tess Ryan

Tess Ryan is one of the more recent members of the group and has written a number of short stories or recollections, but here's a little something for the week ahead and a piece of good advice for all! 

The Meath Writers' Circle (1) November 2010

The Meath Writers' Circle (1)

The Meath Writers' Circle held their monthly meeting in The Castle Hotel in Trim last night and I took the opportunity to record some videos. A number of others to follow. Sean here sings "My Lagan Love" and unaccompanied at that. Some good poems to come.

The Meath Writers' Circle (4) september 2010.

Tommy Murray.

Tommy reading "Lottery" winning poem "Poet of Fingal" 2010. Again sorry about quality of video. Will get right!

The Meath Writers' Circle/June 2010.

The Meath Writers' Circle.

The Meath Writers' Circle held their monthly meeting at The Castle Hotel in Trim tonight with about nine in attendance. Must be the warm summer evenings as a few had gone walkabout, but not withstanding the above, it was an interesting mix of both traditional and modern verse with Pat Bennet reading a fine poem called "A Place For Us" while Isobel read a lovely piece called "No Need" about children leaving home. Jimmy Peppard then entertained us with some of his fine ballads, and Jimmy knows how to write ballads, while there was even a mention or two of something called The Battle of The Books. Tommy Murray read his poem called "The Yeti" which is published in this months' edition of "Riposte" the poetry broadsheet, and well worth a look. The next meeting is something of a rehearsal and is on Friday the 18th of June, and before I go there are poetry readings in both Athboy and Kells. See Meath Writers' Circle website for details of above where info is sure to be posted.

Photo: Some of those in attendance in the comfort of the lounge.