I attended the Boyne Writers Reading and Open Mic Night 17th Dec in the Village Hall, Knightsbridge Village, Trim. The night started, with Chairman Paddy Smith, showing off his new Christmas presents, they consisted of one bell and whistle.
Paddy went on to explain the rules, ( as if we didn't know them already), three minutes for a poem five minutes for prose but because of the night that was in it, he would allow two poems. If a reader was nearing the time allowed he would give a gentle ring of the bell, if they went beyond the time he would blow the whistle. Paddy gave a demonstration and I knew by the look on his face, he was dying to try them out in earnest. When it came to my turn his face began to beam with excitement. Paddy sat waiting, ready to pounce, clutching the bell in his left hand and the whistle in his right but I out foxed him by reading two very short poems. You could say, it was a case of once bitten twice shy.


The two featured writers were: Brendan Kinane and Michael Clemenger. They entertained the crowd by reading from their work.
Brendan read nine of his poems which he had in chapbook form and handed a copy to everyone in the audience
Michael read an excerpt from his book " Holy Terrors ", a moving account of the day he made his First Holy Communion.  It was like as if he was reliving the event all over again.  He then read a poem titled " You Were Not Destined To Grow Old ", a poem which I fell in love with the first time I read it.  It stirred a lump in my throat and any poem with the power to do that is a poem worth reading.  I can say the same about his book it's definitely worth a read.

Chairman Paddy Smith, wearing a crown on his head ended the nights festivities with his own version of " We Three Kings " he delighted everyone there when he burst into song and I'm happy to say it was quite pleasing to the ear.

Michael " The Sheriff " Sheils