These Are My Days by Bernie Kenny - Update 2/5/15

 Bernie Kenny's latest book, These Are My Days, will be launched on Sunday 14 June 2015 at 10.30pm as part of the Dalkey Book Festival. Venue is Magpie Inn, Dalkey, Co. Dublin.      
Here is the first poem from this amazing book:

Because I am old

don’t think my days are non-events

spent fretting and forgetting and, like

a startled deer, don’t leap away in fear

of a soliloquy about the good old days.

These are my days, each a gift new-minted,

mine to spend and they are good.

How quaint you say that I believed

marriage came first, then we lived

together ever after, a joint was Sunday roast,

hardware nuts and bolts, software not a word.

Today where would I be without the Dart

my free travel pass, two replacement hips,

my duck-down duvet, cappuccino, my Ipad

and my mobile phone where alphabetic

brevity keeps loved ones close. R U OK

and a smiley face instantly replace

My dearest daughter, I hope this letter

finds you well and happy, in postal

transit for a week or more.

As for regrets, I have one.

Like Nadine Stair at eighty-five

were I to live my life again

I would pick more daisies.

 Bernie Kenny

Bernie Kenny on RTE1 Radio

Bernie Kenny was interviewed by Sean O'Rourke on RTE1's morning show.
Click here to listen to this inspiring interview on 'Still Too Young to be Old.'

If you wish to purchase the book where her poem appears, contact her publishers Boland Press.

Bright Water Over Grey Stones by Rosy Wilson

Congrats to Rosy Wilson for her recently published poetry book, 'Bright Water Over Grey Stones' (Lapwing).
Anther great collection, Rosy.

Reading at National Rehabilitation Hospital

Bernie and Carol thank all those who came to their reading on wednesday 6th August '14 in the National Rehab Hospital in Dublin.

The event was part of the annual Music Week run by Stuart McKeever.

Documentary 'Tidings' on Shed Poets by Greg Colley

The Documentary 'Tidings' is now publicly online for viewing, after being screened in various festivals, most recently the Irish Film Fest in Rome.
To view this amazing short film, click here

Thanks to Greg Colley for his wonderful creativity and expertise in making this documentary.

Shed Poets at Boston College 10 June'14 at 7pm

The Shed Poets have written a series of poems commemorating events in Irish history. Topics include the familiar Lockout, 1916 and WW1. Bernie Kenny will read her poem  on Peig Sayers (recent 130th anniversary of her birth and 55th of her death), in Irish and in English version translated in an Irish idiom.  The poets will be joined by members of the Bealtaine Writers Group. 

Kevin Kenny, an historian based in Boston College, Boston, and widely published, will introduce the poets.

All welcome to attend.

Carol Boland on South Coast fm

Carol Boland was interviewed by Helen Dwyer on Dublin's South fm, Rhyme and Reason.
The interview, including her drum, can be heard on the podcast  here then click R&R 280112 Carol Boland.mp3.

Rhyme and Reason is a half-hour programme which features writers reading from their work and playing their own choice of music.