Catch of the Merrow
The Merrow (Moruadh or Murrúghach, from muir, sea, and oigh, a maid) was a sea spirit thought to lure people to their …
Birds Sing
The birds sing among the boughs The wind blows soft upon the face Life is hard on the best of days Hard …
One Faith Under Two Flags
One faith under two flags fought in Galway The Gloucester’s guns roared as shells rained from Athenry to Castlegar The Men of …
Whiff of Scandal – Government, Orgies, Dead Pigs, Talking to Bees and about the Homeless – At the Cinema watching Legend
The Krays are the stuff of, as the film title suggests, legend, and it was a must see when the film of …
Treasure Sleeps on Chest of All She Needs
There is a lot of “we must look after our own first” going around now that the refuggees from Syria are on …
Plotting a Duel in Merlin Woods
Merlin Woods in a wood near where I live. A hospital is there now, and the wood is a public park. However, …
Memories of Tullamore at Ireland’s Smallest Comedy Club – Setting off for Valentia
I was down tonight at Irelands Smallest Comedy Club, where fellow Tullamore man (Im not Longford now that its cool to be …
Honest Hands Build True
Honest hands build walls true: Work plain for all to see – Stands the test of time, Passed by walkers like me …
Breaking the Duck at the Roisin Dubh, some Salsa Dancing and Tai Chi in Galway – Getting through the Bucket List and Early Onset Mid Life Crisis!
Try something new they said. So that was my challenge for this week, and I also got to introduce a Galway audience …
Shaggers Guide to Scotland – at the Cúirt lecture meeting Irvine Welsh
Meeting Irvine Welsh at the book signing after his lecture at the Cuirt Festival here in Galway was quite an experience. I …
Two Magpies – Lough Atalia
Before me from the railtrack a magpie few Alone over the lake to trees Another for sorrow, of the piseog I thought: …
Merlin Woods – Spring Morning
The castle watches over landscape changed By mans creation, not the acts of war like before As in former times, this land …
Lone Magpie On Lough Atalia Shoreline
A lone magpie was on Lough Atalia shore: One for sorrow, I looked for more, Alas, no more were to be seen …
Little Lake, Big Dreams
The little lake, water lapping, little future Local lads, big dreams and ambitions Far away fields were greener than the stoney ones …
A Right Pair of Comedians – Seeing Dave McSavage in Galway and Fergus Costello in Tullamore
I had the pleasure as part of Tullamore Rhymers Club of supporting Fergus Costello in his new show “Tell Me Lies Horse” …
Merlin Woods: Christmas Morning
I did not join they praying crowds In man built temples made of stone I did not go to pray as such …
Matchsticks in the Wind
Mankind, and what we build, In the rage of nature, no matter how strong, Or how big, but matchsticks in the wind, …
The Shepherd, the Wolf, The Ewe, and the Lamb
This story, while a moral tale in its own right, is based on the tragic tale of Savita Halappanavar, the woman who …