Boyne Readings and Open Mic

Last Thursday, 18th February, I attended the open mic session in the Knightsbridge Village Hall. The featured readers this night were Susan Connolly and Michael Sheils. As well as the featured readers an open mic session runs before, between and after main readers.

I had admired Connolly's poetry for some time so it was fantastic to hear her read. The first poem of hers that I knew is "Heartwood" which I found in a collection called Forgotten Light, Memory Poems edited by Louise C. Callaghan. I came across Connolly again in New Poems of Oriel, one of my favourites in that is "Tobar an tSolais Killineer". I purchased her latest collection Forest Music which the poet was kind enough to sign while offering some words of encouragement. I actually read my own poem directly after Connolly's reading, that was daunting and thrilling.

Michael Sheils is a member of Meath Writers Circle. He has published a book called Short Trousers Days in Navan. He is known as the Sheriff.

Paddy Smith, Chairman of Boyne Writers Group did a wonderful job presenting each reader. Other readers on the night included Tommy Murray, Frank Murphy, Mairead Donnellan, Tom Dredge, Michael Regan and Barbara Flood.