Busy Evening

Tomorrow night sees the presentation of the LMFM literary awards in Drogheda.   It is also the night of the Meath Writer's Circle monthly meeting in the Trim Castle Hotel.   Faced with the prospect of having to miss one of these events I have decided to attend the meeting of the Writer's Circle as some of the writers will be coming from as far a way as Broadford, Dunsany, Delvin, Bohermeen and Navan.
Having judged the LMFM competition  I'll be happy enough to know that  members and ex members of the Writers Circle will be to the fore in the awards.   So to Frank and Paddy and Sarah and Marie  the very best of luck

To be Treasured

Gabriel Oak, Grace Melbury, Giles Winterborne, Miss Charmond, Angle Clare, Alec D'uberville, Marty South, by now you will have guessed that these are all characters from the Thomas Hardy novels.  Which is why I was so pleased to get a present of a collector's copy of the life and times of the great writer.
The Hardy characters formed the basis of my classes when I was with the Meath VEC and only recently a former student  Alan Hickey a teacher in St. Patrick's Classical School in Navan reminded of my take on Gabriel Oak.   'What farmer wouldn't just love to have such a reliable helper as the dependable Oak."
Hardy's characters stand out as an example to any writer trying to create, let it be the spineless Angel  Clare  in "Tess" the passionate Eustacia in"The Return of the Native"or the rude Festus Derriman in "The Trumpet Major" they are about the best company any writer could keep.

It's Official

It didn't come easy, indeed only after forty awards and prizes, getting published in just about all the so called reputable publications and a first collection with Lapwing Belfast but when it did come it was welcome.  I have now gained official status as a poet, which is why I will be joining Poetry Ireland's  WIS scheme in the new year.

Congratulations Tommy. Dempsy's biggest mistake, he didn't name a street after you.

Sheriff 

Congratulations

Congratulations to 11 year old Sarah McShane from Navan on reaching the final of the LMFM competition
and also to Frank Murphy.  Sarah is a member of the Junior branch of the Meath Writers Circle while Frank is with the Senior Group.
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Just got word from Poetry Ireland that I will be joining the WIS scheme in the new year.  This may or may not change my activities in the line of meetings and classes, I'll just have to wait and see.
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The next meeting of the Meath Writers Circle due to take place on Thursday 1st December will clash with the prize giving ceremony in Drogheda on the same night.  As a result of this the Writer's Meeting will be put back until 8.30

Armistice Day and other Events

Considering number of clashing events most of the readings were well attended.  Thursday night in Dunboyne Library attracted about forty people most pf whom read something.  Tom French was MC for the evening and the Meath Writer's Circle was represented by James Linnane and myself.
Strictly speaking James is not a member of our group but his willingness to travel at short notice makes me wish that he was.   Some lovely singers in Dunboyne and i got a chance to read my favourite poem, Adlestrop which was written by Edward Thomas, himself  a victim of the great war
I had to miss the Navan Reading next morning as I had that meeting with Poetry Ireland in Stephen's Green and I expect to hear something from that quarter this week.
I got a chance to read some poems for the Poetry Ireland people and I choose 'Culvert' and 'Once on Tara's Plain.'  Both were well received. 
'Culvert' won the first of my three Poet of Fingal awards and 'Once on Tara's Plain' featured on  Ulster TV
Then on Saturday morning it was a full house for the Junior Classes in the Navan Library

Busy weekend

A Busy weekend coming up beginning with

Thursday evening -------------Reading in Dunboyne Library 
Just returned from Dunboyne a large crowd and some wonderful poetry and singing  James Linnane came and enjoyed it too

Friday Morning--------------  Reading in Navan Library to mark Armistic Day

Friday Afternoon-----------    Meeting with Poetry Ireland people in College Green Hotel

Friday night---------------      Photo shoot for cover of CD  Jack Quinn's Scurlogstown

Saturday Morning ------------Childrens Classes  Navan Library 10am

The Stony Thursday Book

http://sherifffromnavan.blogspot.com

Just received my copy of the Stony Thursday Book and I am delighted to be on page 30 not that there is any thing special about page thirty but it 's great to be on any page