Boyne Berries (8) Autumn 2010.

Boyne Berries (8)

Noel French of The Meath Heritage Centre launched this, the latest edition of The Boyne Writers' Group literary magazine at The Castle Arch Hotel in Trim on the 30th of September last. A beautifully produced book with a cover illustration by Greg Hastings of an early medieval monastic site or graveyard at Glendalough Co. Wicklow it contains contributions from as far away as the USA and China. Not forgetting India of course. A mixture of poetry and prose with the Boyne Writers themselves having more than one or two interesting pieces there is sure to be something here to suit every ones taste. Cherry picking though, Simon Leyland's "Oh, Happy Days" might just capture the mood of the thing, or the times we live in, and James Linnane has an interesting poem here as well. "Rome Burning"! Though if you haven't paid your mortgage...say no more. Caroline Finn compounds it, and sort of trips over into the surreal, bad day down in Ballinbrackey sort of stuff, the title best omitted, give peace a chance. A contributor to "Sunday Miscellany" on RTE Radio 1, far too early for me, but "sounds" interesting indeed. Maybe the Boyne Writers could load some of them up on the site? Boyne Berries (8) available at http://www.boynewriters.com/ or details on how to purchase. Priced at €7 euro a copy. I picked mine up at Antonia's in Trim.

*Note: The Guest Reader at the next open mic session at the Knightsbridge Village Hall in Trim is Emer Davis of the Viaduct Bards Writers group. Her poem "Requiem" is included in the above collection on page 11. Organised by the Boyne Writers the poetry readings begin at 8pm on Thursday the 21st. Five euro entry with tea and biscuits!

Photo: Book cover by Greg Hastings.