Counting Stained Glass Windows.

Book Launch.

"Counting Stained Glass Windows" A collection of poems by Tommy Murray will be launched in Trim library on the 20th of August at 7 pm by Tom French a poet and member of The Meath County Library. Published by Lapwing of Belfast this volume contains a number of prize wining poems and retails at €8 euro. Tommy has published many books over the years, details of which can be found on his" Meath Books" website. A winner of awards too numerous to mention, both for short stories and poetry, Tommy has been chairman of the Meath Writers' Circle since 1992 and is a founder member. More information about this launch can be found by clicking on the link opposite for "Meath Writers".

Photo: Tommy reading at the open mic sessions.

Knightsbridge Village.

Meath Writers' Circle.

A few members of the Meath Writers' Circle who were in attendance at the open mic sessions at the Knightsbridge Village.

Willie Hodgins, Mark Doyle and Michael (Sheriff) Shiels. All read from their works, either poems or short stories. More to come!

These Days

A very serious poem for a saturday when I could be listening to late night radio.

These Days.

Who marked it out this way

That fear crept in.

Let instinct have these days

That have their edge on you

Press play begin.

Who marked it out this way

These days,

What prey....

On reason laid

This game you cannot win

Let instinct have these days

The castaways of form

And sin.

Who marked it out this way

These days.

Who marked it out

This way.

Frank Murphy.

Photo: Trim Poet Tommy Murray

at the Knightsbridge open mic.

The Battle of the Books.

The Battle of the Books has come and gone, and the Boyne Writers have gone, off with the spoils. I picked up this account up from one of the combatants fleeing the scene, though I'm claiming credit for it myself, of course. One does.

The Battle of the Books.

Much to contend with.

Weather bad,

and the loss of

the high moral ground

an early factor.

Loose talk,

of the purge.

And the flag of

convenience

thrown in.

The electoral rolls.

Revisionists everywhere!

A war about a horse

And some girl

shopping in Printemps.

Having platonic relationships

in Paris.

While swapping recipes

over a cocktail sausage

that was best served

cold.

Old scores!

Might have been different

if our cromwellian allies

had come

But, C'est La Guerre!

Sour Grapes.

Photo: A Place of Learning.

The Battle of the Books.

Battle of the Books.

Inebriated by the exuberance of their own verbosity,and late of the King's Library, and even later of Trim, the Royal and Ancient Order of Scribes, will gather one week hence at the said Castle to debate on whether contemporary learning has surpassed anything at all! May the best team win. Tickets are €25 Euro each and available from The Trim Swift Committee. I borrowed the opener from Benjamin Disraeli who had a lot to say on such things. More info at http://www.boynewriters.com/ and follow the links. Such is the seriousness of this, I had difficulty in finding an image suitable and had to settle for less.


Before I go I have to mention a competition worth keeping an eye out for next year. The Jonathan Swift Creative Writing Awards in Saggart Co Dublin, (where I had some little success) is worth a look in. The standard of the short stories was something else. Signing off.

Photo: Clouds over Meath.

Opem Mic Knightsbridge.

Open Mic.

The readers at the third open mic at the Knightsbridge Village hall were Trim Poet Tommy Murray and country gentleman George Briscoe. Tommy read many of his prize winning poems including " Tobertynan Wood" and "The Famine Trilogy" touching lightly on the republic of greed and a little humour thrown in for good measure. George Briscoe is a natural born storyteller and read extracts from his memoirs, "The Best of Times" and " Running On". Bought a bridge over the river Boyne for sixty pounds. I daresay for another five he could have bought the railway off them. The plan going forward you might say.

Photos: Tommy Murray at Jack Quin's (High Nellies 2008)

Cover: Running On/ George Briscoe.

Golden Wonders!

Before I get back to posting a few poems, there's one other book I have to mention. "Golden Wonders" by Colum Cromwell. In his own words this is a book about life in his native parish Skryne in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, working in the public service and activities within the GAA. Where he became chairman of the Meath County Board as well as a delegate to the Leinster Council and other bodies within the organisation. But it is more than that, it is a collection of stories and characters the like of which you will not see again and an age that is gone. I don't know whether you can get a copy in the bookstores, but take it out of Meath County library and enjoy. Recommended!

Photo: Book cover. The Hill of Skryne.