Danny Diamond and Tom French at Cois Tine.

Came across this one a while back and meant to load. The quality is excellent and Tom French needs no introduction for those in the poetry world though his reference to Michael Longley a timely reminder to all. His books are published by the Gallery Press in Oldcastle, County Meath. Danny Diamond is a musician (fiddle player and then some) who has toured worldwide and comes from a renowned family of traditional musicians in the north of Ireland. http://www.danydiamond.ie

The video above was loaded by CavanArts. 

The Last Straw - Tom French

Book Launch/The Solstice - Navan.

Tom French and Peter Fallon

Made it into the Solstice last Thursday night for the launch of Tom French's fifth book of poems, The Last Straw. A collection of poems that touches on almost everything from place to person and is available in both hardback and paperback editions. Tom was born in Kilkenny and now works for the local studies department of The Meath County Library. He was a winner of the Forward Prize for his first collection, Touching the Bones (2001) and received the Dermot Healy Award in 2015 and the O' Shaughnessy Award for Poetry in 2016. His other books, The Fire Step appeared in 2009, Midnightstown in 2014 and The Way to Work in 2016. Published by The Gallery Press in Oldcastle the book is one for your collection and is available in all good bookshops. Peter Fallon who is the editor of The Gallery Press did the honours on the night.

The Way To Work/Tom French!

"The Way To Work"/Tom French!

In this his fourth collection of poems Tom French draws his inspiration from people and place, remembrance of past and family circumstance and includes what is perhaps the best poem on the centenary I've read to date. His eye for observation and detail whether it is the everyday or some far away time has more than a little truth or depth and perhaps unflinching - and from the cover- is the best term to describe it and you ask yourself could you or would you have gone there. Descriptive writing that is at its best. He returns again and again to Ledwidge country, to World War One, the Neptune Pool, home and emigration and always with something of a little mystery. Tom French has won both the Forward Prize and the O' Shaughnessy Prize for his poetry and The Way To Work is published by The Gallery Press. www.gallerypress.com         

Tom French Book Launch/Photographs!

Tom French/Book Launch/The Way To Work/Blackbird Books, Navan.

Tom French

Michael Farry and Orla Fay/Boyne Writers

Valerie Keogh/The Gate Theatre

Michael (The Sheriff) Sheils

Some photos from the launch of "The Way To Work" by Tom French in Blackbird Books, Navan last night. Peter Fallon of The Gallery Press did the honours and it was almost standing room only. Must get back for a read or two.

Tom French Gogarty's Printers

Tom French launches his fourth collection, "The Way To Work" tomorrow night in Blackbird Books, Navan at 7.30 pm. With thanks to Gallery Press who loaded and youtube.

Book Launch/The Way to Work!

"The Way To Work" Tom French.

Tom French

One of the country's best known poets will launch his fourth collection of poems, "The Way To Work" at Blackbird Books, Old Corn Market, Navan on Thursday the 26th of May at 7.30 pm and all are welcome to attend. Recently awarded the O' Shaughnessy Award for poetry at the Centre for Irish Studies of the University of St Thomas in Minneapolis, his debut collection fifteen years ago was no less successful in picking up the Forward Prize. Tom French is a native of Kilkenny but now works in the Local Studies Department of Meath County Library. Other of his publications include, "Touching the Bones, The Fire Step and Midnightstown" and all are published by The Gallery Press in Oldcastle, County Meath. Peter Fallon its editor and publisher and also one of our best known poets will launch the collection.   

Golden Rhymes Launch "Video"

Tom French

Tom French of the Meath Library reads a poem here by Czeslaw Milosz called "Blacksmith Shop" and compares with Tommy Murray's "The Old Forge". Managed a clip of the second and may post at a future date!