tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40735441663127711022024-02-06T21:17:40.075-08:00We didn't come here for the grass...Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comBlogger314125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-57262015708495646402021-05-14T09:40:00.008-07:002021-05-14T09:41:09.346-07:00Where the Blackbirds Bathe<p> </p><div class="entry-content" itemprop="text">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2564" height="640" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210513_165809348_001.jpg" width="531" /></figure>
<p>It started with a blackbird bathing in the most neglected part of my
garden. During the house renovations a few years back, this area was
where the workmen dumped rubble. I had promised myself a greenhouse or
‘something wonderful’ like an outdoor room and had dreamed of an
orangery because, well, gardeners dream, writers dream… put that
together, and you get orangery dreams. But the recent years have brought
fiercer storms thanks to the reality of climate change, and we’ve
already had the garage windows broken in a storm. What chance would a
glasshouse of any kind have, especially built upon this hill?</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2565" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210321_150157039-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>So back to the bird – having a bath…</p>
<p>‘What about a wee pond?’ says I.</p>
<p>My Husband nods tentatively. He knows I don’t need much encouragement…</p>
<p>And how hard can a pond be after <a href="https://www.byddilee.com/2013/08/the-creation-of-wee-lee-canyon/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">building the dry creek feature in my garden in California</a> in the hard-baked, dry desert earth? Soft, soggy Irish soil would be no bother…</p>
<p>I did a bit of research. I consider the Ulster Wildlife Trust a very
reliable source. If you’re thinking of a water feature, keep in mind
what your local conditions will allow for. A dry creek works in
California, but here it would probably get washed away! And likewise, a
still-water wildlife pond would not have been a good idea in my
California garden (especially with the mosquito problem in standing
water.) But in Ireland, it is a feature that will welcome the wildlife
to my garden in all the best ways.</p>
<p>The first thing was to outline the size and shape I wanted. Rain
tended to gather in the bits I dug out, so I kept a log in the hole in
case the hedgehog fell in and needed to climb out.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2566" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210331_150402604-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>I wanted a pond deep enough so it wouldn’t freeze solid to the bottom
in the harshest winter weather. Apparently, that meant I had to have it
a min of 45-60 cm deep for 40 % of the pool. I took things slowly. It
was March. We were in lockdown. There was no big hurry. I aimed to dig
15 shovel-fulls a day. But what could I do with all that soil?</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2567" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210424_095025683-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>Last autumn, our neighbour chopped down a gigantic <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/dec/07/gardens-leylandii">Leyland Cypress that had bordered our properties. It’s considered by some as an invasive tree,</a>
but it’s always sad to see a large tree being taken down. I did welcome
the extra sunlight in the garden, though. Some of the larger branches
had fallen on our side. We were so grateful when a Good Friend chopped
them into a manageable size for us. I decided to use these logs to make a
raised bed to border the pond and fill them, in part, with the
displaced earth.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2568" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210409_151950961-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>I was delighted when My 13-Year-Old Nephew pitched in one Saturday to
help dig the pond – you know lockdown has gone on too long when things
like that happen. We had such a great day together too. Excellent
bonding time, and for the next few decades, I’ll sit by that pond with
the fondest of memories of making it!</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2571" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210427_144638084-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>The ground was rocky in places and some of the rocks we took out were
pretty big – that’s my wellie boot in the picture above for scale.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2569" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210426_135407744-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>Despite hating the idea of adding more plastic to the planet, all the
advice on making a pond said that I needed a pond liner. I dug a little
trench around the rim to secure the liner.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2570" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210427_144615703-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>I wanted large smooth pebbles/rocks to edge the pond and cover the
surrounding area. A little bit of research led me to a company in Lurgan
that would deliver river rock to my driveway. By my calculations, I’d
need two tonnes of pebbles. They were due on the 5<sup>th</sup> May – I had a week and a half to wait.</p>
<p>By the time all the digging was completed, we’d had the driest April
on record. When rain was forecast to arrive before the stones would. I
worried that the holes would fill with water before the liner was down
and that I’d have a nightmarish mudbath trying to set the liner in
place. So I decided to put down the liner and fill the pond with water
(from our water butt) before the stones arrived.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2576" height="640" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210502_122919497-768x1024.jpg" width="480" /></figure>
<p>To prevent sharp rocks from puncturing the pond liner, there should
be a layer of sand, then underlay of some kind (carpet underlay will
work.)</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2572" height="640" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210502_115930834-768x1024.jpg" width="480" /></figure>
<p>Sand I had, leftover from the house renovations and stored in that
rubble area for the last couple of years – it would be good to use it
up.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2573" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210502_121031361-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>I had saved the underlay from the carpet we took out before the
renovations. It was perfect. It may as well lie beneath our pond and
protect the liner as lie in landfill or in rolls taking up space on
shelves in my garage.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2574" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210502_115901909-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>The pond liner I had to order online. None of the garden centres were
even open yet. I found a nifty calculator online that helped me gauge
how much I needed, and just I ordered it up. When it arrived I laid it
out in the sun to warm up so it was more flexible to fit the contours of
the pond.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2575" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210502_121903404-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>As it turned out, putting the water in before the rocks was a great
plan. The water from the rainwater tank weighed down the liner and let
us see how it looked. When the rain arrived, it filled the rest of the
pond and replenished the tank. We were able to see where the liner
needed ‘shored up’ to better control the direction of overflow runoff,
away from the house. (Don’t forget the safety escape for the hedgehog –
that liner might be too slippy for him to scramble out!)</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2577" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210502_161429864-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>The rocks arrived, and My 13-Year-Old Nephew came over again to help
with placing those. It was hard and heavy work. Two tonnes was just the
right amount of rock. My back ached, but, boy, did it feel good to see
the project come together.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2579" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210508_125022195-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>When the garden centres opened, I planned to go shopping for aquatic
plants, but after an online research session, I concluded that I
wouldn’t buy anything. Apparently, nature will find its own way to my
pond. I follow the theory – fragments and seeds from nearby waterways
(the River Callan being the closest) will be carried in by birds and
take root. This way, I avoid the risk of introducing invasive species
that are commonly introduced via garden centre stock. It’s kind of hard
to believe that the pond will be a thriving ecosystem simply by my doing
nothing, but I am willing to leave it for a year to see what happens –
check back in 2022!</p>
<p>To finish, I added a bridge…</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2580" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210509_152244633-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>planted up the raised bed (that’s a post in its own right!)…</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2581" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210511_151136335-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>and disguised the rainwater tank with hanging pockets filled with plants…</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2582" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210513_165838108-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>added a little decorative log pile to hide the ugly gap beneath the water butt…</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2584" height="640" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210513_165821853-768x1024.jpg" width="480" /></figure>
<p>and hey presto!</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2585" height="241" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/PXL_20210513_165611371-1024x616.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>The whole thing was barely done when the blackbird was back bathing
in the pond. I watched with delight and called My Husband to come and
see before thinking to grab the camera. But alas, the rascal (the
blackbird, not My Husband) scarpered before I could get the lens cap
off. That’s okay – I’m happy just knowing that this pond is where the
blackbirds bathe.</p>
<p>Byddi Lee</p>
</div>Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-67865385516644513842021-04-30T01:15:00.001-07:002021-05-01T01:24:46.697-07:00Bluebell Fairyland at the Milford Cuttings<p><br /></p><div class="entry-content" itemprop="text">
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img class="wp-image-2538" height="400" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210426_0728085442-768x1024.jpg" width="300" /></figure>
<p>It feels like Armagh’s worst keep secret even though the Milford
Cuttings should not be kept secret at all. It is a stunningly gorgeous
walk that is especially at its best in May with its carpet of bluebells.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2526" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210426_071608862-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>Managed by the <a href="https://www.ulsterwildlife.org/nature-reserves/milford-cutting" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Ulster Wildlife Trust</a>, this section of disused railway track is home to the largest colony of a rare tree – <a href="http://www.habitas.org.uk/priority/species.asp?item=3451" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">the Irish whitebeam</a>. Wildflowers grow in abundance and include several species of orchid.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img class="wp-image-2528" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210426_071751923-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>It is a tricky place to find from the directions on the Ulster
Wildlife site, so I’ll do my best to make my directions clearer. At the
moment, is it dry underfoot because of the lack of rain recently, but
keep an eye on the weather conditions. Worst case scenario, it’s a
welly-boots walk, but well worth getting mucky for.</p>
<p>So start at Hill Street in Milford village with your back to the
Monaghan Road. You’ll see an old School House on your left, a gorgeous
old house set in lovely grounds to your right, and then, further along, a
new development on your left.</p>
<p>You can park along here if you came this far by car.</p>
<p>You’ll pass Old Mill Court on your left, and the next lane on the same side sports a sign for the Milford Cuttings. </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2527" height="400" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210130_160622938-768x1024.jpg" width="300" /></figure>
<p>Turn left here. Walk over the old Iron bridge and notice how it looks
like it may have been part of the railway system (I don’t know for sure
if it was, but it sure looks like it.) Below you flows the Callan river
– apparently, the name derives from an old Irish word for ‘Noisy’. It
is lovely to hear the water gurgle past.</p>
<p>Follow this lane to a wooden gate (recently mended by the Ulster Wildlife Trust – thank you!) </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2529" height="400" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210426_071557241-768x1024.jpg" width="300" /></figure>
<p>Go through the gate and keep following the trail…</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2531" height="400" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210426_071613634-768x1024.jpg" width="300" /></figure>
<p>until it leads you down some wooden steps to what looks like a
platform at a train station. (I believe this may be referred to as the
old halt locally, but I’m not 100% certain on that.) </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2530" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210426_071722973-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>It’s a peaceful sun-trap nowadays. You might see frogs in the pool of
water that now floods where I presume the tracks went. There’s the buzz
of insects and the scent of blossom. It’s a place you could sit and
read a book if you were so inclined!</p>
<p>Turn right and head through another wooden gate to follow the trail.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2532" height="400" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210426_072005265-768x1024.jpg" width="300" /></figure>
<p>I’m guessing this section was carved out of the hill for the railway
tracks. It’s incredible to think this was gouged out a couple of hundred
years ago for a railway system that ran to Monaghan and beyond. Sad to
think we no longer have a rail system in Armagh anymore.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2533" height="400" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210426_072034805-768x1024.jpg" width="300" /></figure>
<p>Soon you’ll come to wooden steps that climb out of the cutting. </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2534" height="400" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210426_072112954-768x1024.jpg" width="300" /></figure>
<p>From the top, you can see glimpses of the Callan river, though not in the picture below</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2535" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210402_112440620-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>At the minute, white wood anemone flowers tumble down the hillside
colliding with the more stately bluebells and the demure primroses
clustered on banks and around tree roots. </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2536" height="400" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210402_112459833-768x1024.jpg" width="300" /></figure>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2537" height="400" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210402_112715670-768x1024.jpg" width="300" /></figure>
<p>Down some more steps…</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2539" height="1024" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210426_072139379-768x1024.jpg" width="768" /></figure>
<p> then the trail threads through a fairyscape…</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2540" height="400" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210426_0727577272-768x1024.jpg" width="300" /></figure>
<p>until it splits into two. Here you can choose to take the high road
or the low road – both are equally gorgeous, and if you are doing an
out-and-back, the two join up, and you can loop back at this point (for a
shortish walk of about 1 mile)</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2541" height="400" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210426_072933365-768x1024.jpg" width="300" /></figure>
<p>If you fancy a longer walk, you can integrate this into the <a href="https://www.byddilee.com/2021/02/walk-this-way/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Rock Road-Ballyards loop I wrote about before</a>.
To do this, don’t close the loop. If you took the low trail, turn
right, and if you took the high trail, that will be a left. Along this
path at the moment, there are white clouds of Blackthorn in bloom,
promising heavily laden branches of sloe berries come the autumn. I’m
thinking, ‘sloe gin!’</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2542" height="400" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210426_0731090982-768x1024.jpg" width="300" /></figure>
<p>Follow the trail right to the end, where it terminates at the remains
of a bridge that once spanned the Ballyards Road below. (Below is a
winter shot – an equally gorgeous time to visit the Cuttings)</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2543" height="400" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210124_1517075342-768x1024.jpg" width="300" /></figure>
<p>Be careful when looking over the edge – there’s no fence or safety
barrier. From here, double back about fifteen metres to find a gap in
the hedge on the right, revealing a steep path down the bank towards the
river. Be careful – I’m always scared that one slip will have me
swimming in the Callan!</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2544" height="400" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210426_073436694-768x1024.jpg" width="300" /></figure>
<p>Follow the river bank…</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2545" height="400" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210426_073705143-768x1024.jpg" width="300" /></figure>
<p> until you see a rusty gate secured by a loop of barbed wire (sounds delightful!) that leads out to the Ballyards Road.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2546" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210426_073906707-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>Turning right takes you back into Milford (total walk distance of
about 1.2 miles). If you go left, then about half a mile later, cross a
stone-walled bridge and take a left again to bring you to the Rock Road.
Another left here takes you back into Armagh, where you can grab a
well-earned coffee and traybake at the Espresso Bar before doubling back
up to the Stormy Hill to cut over to the Monaghan road and back into
Milford. For more details on this portion of the route, you can read<a href="https://www.byddilee.com/2021/02/walk-this-way/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank"> this post from a while back</a>. The full loop can take about 5 miles.</p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2547" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210113_082951054-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>The Milford Cutting is a place where, on a warm summers evening, as
the midges dance in clusters, you’d be forgiven for thinking it’s a
gathering of the fairy folk celebrating nature. In winter, frost
glistens in the bare branches of the trees and hedges. A snowfall
lingers longer in the hollow of the cutting. </p>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img alt="" class="wp-image-2548" height="300" src="https://www.byddilee.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PXL_20210104_090724681-1024x768.jpg" width="400" /></figure>
<p>All year long, something stands out to make the heart swell with joy
at the wonders of this world we are lucky to inhabit. The Milford
Cutting truly is a magical place, and if you don’t believe me come see
for yourself.</p>
<p>ByddLee</p>
</div>Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-61005512553909417142019-02-20T01:57:00.002-08:002019-09-22T04:06:30.515-07:00We're moving....First of all, thanks for reading this blog and for your continued support.<br />
<br />
Recently, I set up a new website for <a href="http://www.byddilee.com/">www.byddilee.com</a> over at WordPress. They also provide an integrated blog. I have moved all my posts from this blog over to there to keep everything in the one place and for the past few months posted blogs up in both places but now I think it's time to move from Blogger fully to WordPress, which will be a challenge since I'm still learning that system.<br />
<br />
So instead of posting the most recent post in both places - today I'm directing you to the new blog via the following link.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.byddilee.com/2019/02/exciting-news-from-flash-fiction-armagh/">https://www.byddilee.com/2019/02/exciting-news-from-flash-fiction-armagh/</a><br />
<br />
I hope you continue to follow the blog over there and while you are there feel free to explore my new website.<br />
<br />
I'm delighted to that I've signed a three-book publishing deal with <a href="https://castrumpress.com/">Castrum Press</a>. The first book in the <i>Rejuvenation </i>Trilogy is due out in early 2020.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
You can subscribe to get my newsletter with all book release news direct to your inbox... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://mailchi.mp/3e0945ff1267/byddisnewsletter">Subscribe here</a></div>
<br />
Thanks for following, your readership is much appreciated.<br />
<br />
Byddi LeeByddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-47235188519062633952019-01-14T00:40:00.002-08:002019-01-14T00:40:34.674-08:00Guest Post by P.V. Wolseley<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4fzk2hGO7-gAfHVm-agBsF7T8t4Dx16s6T4U1zU5BUlarCU0sclqvM3OZ-FBYRMY6nHpOsdjY0-7K57sHj155epmyQZxQFLcUqKY7GV6CHX70WtwMr9mXLlrsTWu9x3I219xkxuwMhg/s1600/IMG_20171029_110630.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="1600" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4fzk2hGO7-gAfHVm-agBsF7T8t4Dx16s6T4U1zU5BUlarCU0sclqvM3OZ-FBYRMY6nHpOsdjY0-7K57sHj155epmyQZxQFLcUqKY7GV6CHX70WtwMr9mXLlrsTWu9x3I219xkxuwMhg/s400/IMG_20171029_110630.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-GB">I like to keep things physical – no Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram – so it’s strange <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">even</span> to me that I’m guest-blogging for Byddi Lee. Let me tell you how this came about.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">It started, as so many <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">writerly</span> things do, with Byddi. She stayed in Paris long enough to co-found a critiquing group and for me to get to know her a little. With her blue eyes and blond curls, Byddi is at least one part Christmas-tree fairy but with her ferocious energy, drive and loyalty, she’s two parts word-warrior queen. It was no surprise to hear that, shortly after having left Paris for Armagh, she was hustling together a flash-fiction festival that sounded like the best fun. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Two fellow Parisian writers and I decided to crash it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">‘We’ll come and support you,’ we said. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Byddi being Byddi, she declared the festival an international event and welcomed us herself, at the airport, late one Belfast night. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">We drove into Armagh through the sort of blackness the City of Light has long forgotten. Having fielded perfectly sensible Parisian questions such as ‘how can people see without street lamps?’ Byddi got on with the business of narrating the night, sketching out with words the towns and orchards we couldn’t see. I quickly stopped peering into the darkness and instead listened until we reached our cosy lodgings at the Charlemont Arms Hotel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Breakfast was big, Irish and – being shared by three writers – wordy. We somehow got onto the subject of female <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">forebears</span> who faced risky and multiple pregnancies. The lady waiting <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">tables</span> served up the best story, top trumping us as she cleared our plates: 22 children born to one woman.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">This emerged as a pattern when we toured the city. It quickly became clear that there’s not a stone in Armagh that doesn’t have a tale to tell; people swap stories the way the English shake hands. I left the tourist information office not with leaflets but with tales of a sword too big to wield and a giant warrior. At the Hole in the Wall, greetings took the form of ‘What’s your story?’ and refreshments were served with a tale of unhappy love and a hanging. At Emain Macha, myths and legends were illustrated on a big screen and so enchantingly told that when I later stood on the mound, I was sure any archaeologist digging would find <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">story</span> on <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">story</span> on story, stratified. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I heard plenty of anecdotes where arrests and bombings unselfconsciously shared sentences with meals, marriages and markets days – a reminder that for many years, strife and struggle were the daily <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">lot</span> of many in Armagh, but it was hard not to feel optimistic as we explored the city. My fellow Parisians and I were the only ones in black. Everyone else seemed ready to put on the glam and get something going. As we walked through the Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre before closing, the receptionist put the Christmas tree lights back on for us and suggested a photo shoot. Every social interaction became <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">a networking</span>, sponsoring or social media opportunity. When my friend tried on a jacket that <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">fitted</span> like it was made to measure, a picture was taken and posted on the boutique’s Facebook page, and when the guide at Emain Macha heard our enthusiasm for myths and legends, she got out from behind the desk to share with us the excellent and beautifully illustrated <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">C</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">ú</span><span lang="EN-GB">chulainn</span></i><span lang="EN-GB"> by Réamonn </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ó</span><span lang="EN-GB"> Ciar</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">á</span><span lang="EN-GB">in. Wherever we went we got a small-town welcome so warm it was hard to see Armagh as a city, despite its two cathedrals and world-class museums. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">It was at one of these museums – Armagh County Museum – that we enjoyed the highlight of our stay: a flash-fiction feast served up before a portrait of Seamus Heaney and his piercing eyes, painted by Colin Davidson. We feasted like gluttons on stories ranging in inspiration from the literary and celestial (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Clockwork Heart</i>) to the local (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">C</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">á</span><span lang="EN-GB">s na <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">dteifeach</span></span></i><span lang="EN-GB">), and in setting from the domestic (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Say’s Himself</i>) to the parallel world of horror-erotica (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Always and Forever</i>). All pieces were read with finesse and generosity in a venue that made for a magical evening. It came to a close much too soon – which may explain why we were slow to go. I was most grateful to our <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">kindly</span>, informative hosts, who let us explore the museum’s treasures long after our time was up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Next day: home to beautiful and indifferent Paris. I took time to reflect on all I’d brought back in head and heart, based on the <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">writerly</span> principle that if protagonists come out of a journey unchanged, they’ve not been anywhere. With such a wealth of happy memories and storie<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"></a>s, it seemed only right to share this story by taking an uncustomary toe-dip into cyber-sea – to say a big thank you, Armagh, and </span><span lang="FR" style="mso-ansi-language: FR;">à bientôt, j’espère</span><span lang="EN-GB">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">P.V. Wolseley</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-63991192886005395132019-01-09T05:55:00.000-08:002019-01-09T05:55:29.543-08:00Flash Fiction Saturday Night in the Museum<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0XWktDnewI4s1bupFYtDZJ6tlTobJGaUdHWkCGjU4ahIIEjREYnkKP7w9GhSyNQNukv_zZiN7t5zXdXWkLgFmSbanBipu4Pb9np-AvF0S51mU0l9ndPG7prGUyXof-QP_ovucXGzIHE/s1600/IMG_20190103_151401%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1341" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR0XWktDnewI4s1bupFYtDZJ6tlTobJGaUdHWkCGjU4ahIIEjREYnkKP7w9GhSyNQNukv_zZiN7t5zXdXWkLgFmSbanBipu4Pb9np-AvF0S51mU0l9ndPG7prGUyXof-QP_ovucXGzIHE/s640/IMG_20190103_151401%257E2.jpg" width="536" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
His gaze is a little unsettling. Stern and aloof, he stares unflinchingly with glittering hungry eyes. It's a gaze that follows me and did back when I was a child visiting the Armagh County Museum. I wonder what he makes of the proceedings about to unfold. Every Armagh child who has visited the museum knows that stare; knows that stuffed fox. For Mr Fox has looked out from his place in the exhibits and mesmerized children for more than forty years (by my count.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aKsQeCPq1NB5NRiIac-SV_ALpiAFSeGWwyaI24d_9P30H6y340pPqw2PspeuHLCFzHIMmWTqLiMuuwGD1EvqpmSCo3JpFcOaC3uuSgGSWGztMyyPJQyNQSv7p4Y9Q3S8Y0A46iLn0y4/s1600/ARMCM.102.1936_002-Edit.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1500" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aKsQeCPq1NB5NRiIac-SV_ALpiAFSeGWwyaI24d_9P30H6y340pPqw2PspeuHLCFzHIMmWTqLiMuuwGD1EvqpmSCo3JpFcOaC3uuSgGSWGztMyyPJQyNQSv7p4Y9Q3S8Y0A46iLn0y4/s400/ARMCM.102.1936_002-Edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph courtesy of the Armagh County Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tonight, though Mr Fox has met his match in a staring competition because right in front of his furry snout is a portrait of Seamus Heany by Colin Davidson. Splendid in a wash of warm and vibrant colours the great poet looks sombre and somewhat formidable. With tables arranged in front like an altar, it feels like we are the congregation in a temple, with Flash Fiction Armagh offering up a sacrifice of literature. I search the canvas for a tweak of a lip, a hint of approval - but his expression is unyielding. It feels like he's right here with us, but I am confident... we have a fabulous lineup and I know our readers won't disappoint the great man, nor their enthusiastic audience.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IiAIppy3UPA/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IiAIppy3UPA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
We begin with a poem by Mark Brownlee simply called <i>Armagh</i>. Like a verbal tour of our city, it touches all our hearts and binds us Armachians together in a collect pride for our city. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mmSF9e1FY6c/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mmSF9e1FY6c?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
On a similar note, Karen Mooney uses the analogy of nature to show us how much we have to gain by growing in harmony together with <i>A More Sustainable Future.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/93Hznz6vYW4/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/93Hznz6vYW4?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
All the way from Pittsburg USA, via Paris, Nina Francus captures our hearts and minds, as she reads her story <i>To Wander, Lost.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kZnhzCW18nk/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kZnhzCW18nk?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
In a piece that proves speculative/science fiction is a form of literature is accessible and can be widely enjoyed, Jay Faulkner reads <i>Always and Forever. </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0PNhdPDhfHo/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0PNhdPDhfHo?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
Kerry Buchannan, from Yorkshire via Ballynahinch, enthrals us with fantasy in her beautifully written and delivered story, <i>A Clockwork Heart.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zzpa-1wgAcg/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zzpa-1wgAcg?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
Elaine Toal reminds us all what it is to be hurt and human in a story that has a message we might all benefit from heeding - <i>Shattered. </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ifQxzy2596s/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ifQxzy2596s?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
All the way from Paris, P.V Wolseley bring art to life with her masterful writing in her stories, <i>L'Origine du Monde Speaks </i>and <i>La Grande Odalisque.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BVL_Gx3p_eU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BVL_Gx3p_eU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
Réamonn Ó Ciaráin captivates the audience as he reads the story of Chúchulainn's death in<i> Bás Chúchulainn </i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/J4l0xD0XE9w/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/J4l0xD0XE9w?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
All the way from lovely Leitrim, via Fermanagh, Trish Bennett brings a smile to our faces and a glow to our hearts in her humorous poem <i>Kilty Relics.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IHCx1Ycy2ZE/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IHCx1Ycy2ZE?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<i><br /></i>
Hailing from Paris, Omaya Nasser has the audience spellbound as she reads <i>End of the Line.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cAOLSbDG6GU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cAOLSbDG6GU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
Seán Farry entertains us in Gaeilge and raises a laugh even in those of us whose Irish is limited as he recounts stories of his teaching experiences in his poems <i> Cás na dteifeach – Tá dhá thaobh ar an bhád </i>and<i> Feidhmiú an Ranga.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EQkZdJn93YA/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EQkZdJn93YA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
Sue Divins cracks open our hearts and our tear ducts with <i>Says Himself.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WTkjptCGOOA/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WTkjptCGOOA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<i><br /></i>
Another crossing of the Blackwater River brings us Kieran Mc Gurk<i> </i>with his story<i> Blobby,</i> a cautionary tale about getting too big for your (pink and yellow spotted) boots.<i><br /></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WTkjptCGOOA/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WTkjptCGOOA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<i><br /></i>
From the moment he stood up, Malachi Kelly had his all grinning at his witty reminiscences in <i>Mother, Son and Ghost</i>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xrwAN0pcSeY/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xrwAN0pcSeY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br /><i></i>
Anne Mc Master rounded up the evening with a beautifully written and presented tongue in cheek piece on gardening - <i>Gardener's World</i>.<br /><i></i><br />
<br />
Thank you to the staff of the Armagh County Museum for their welcome and patience. Nothing was too much bother for them and everyone was very impressed with and enjoyed their evening in the Museum.<br />
<br />
Thanks also to everyone who submits to Flash Fiction Armagh - you are what drives us and we wish you every writing success...and soon! It's a tough old business.<br />
<br />
To every Flash Fiction attendee: Readers - we can't do this without you, Audience - there'd be no point without you.<br />
<br />
Wishing everyone a multitude of blessing for 2019 and beyond.<br />
<br />
Byddi Lee<br />
<br />
<br />
<i> </i><br /><i></i><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-family: "Georgia", "serif"; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: FrankRuehl; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: FangSong; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> </span><br />
Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-51784106178297085942018-12-19T05:00:00.000-08:002019-01-08T14:52:45.138-08:00Merry Christmas and Happy New Year starting with Flash Fiction Saturday Night in the Museum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wKoUQ-dmh21EmVTrt5ltv8R7P-tZc9u0mCO30eXSrWKowE9nNYIsTx6S9Nlonf4B_E1SGJSJP3IilhEh7meLPj_e02TxJWmun6CPUYPm4gfYe0ok0pAGgls9VjYhdGiz8VieQXvLvSA/s1600/DSC_0908_01_HDR.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_wKoUQ-dmh21EmVTrt5ltv8R7P-tZc9u0mCO30eXSrWKowE9nNYIsTx6S9Nlonf4B_E1SGJSJP3IilhEh7meLPj_e02TxJWmun6CPUYPm4gfYe0ok0pAGgls9VjYhdGiz8VieQXvLvSA/s400/DSC_0908_01_HDR.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I’m recycling this picture from last year mainly because it’s one of my favourite photos of Armagh and also because it’s probably the only snow we’re going to see in Armagh this Christmas and that’s fine with me because Christmas and New Years means many of us are on the roads travelling to visit loved ones and the snow makes all that difficult and dangerous. As much as I do love snow, I have an additional reason for wanting mild weather over the next few weeks – our next Flash Fiction event has drawn writers not just from as far away as Tyrone and Newry, but Flash Fiction Armagh goes international in 2019 with 3 brilliant writers coming all the way from Paris, France especially to read at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/281042895873393/">Flash Fiction Saturday Night at the Museum</a>!<br />
<br />
We are excited to announce our line up for this event taking place in the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArmaghCountyMuseum/">Armagh County Museum</a> on Saturday, 5th January 2019 at 7 pm. It’s a truly international crew this time with writers laying claim to a total of (at least) 6 nationalities and 2 continents! Flash Fiction Armagh presents:<br />
<br />
<br />
Omaya Nasser <i>End of the Line</i><br />
Mark Brownlee <i>Armagh</i><br />
Kieran McGurk <i>Blobby</i><br />
Seán Farry <i>Cás na dteifeach – Tá dhá thaobh ar an bhád </i>and <i>Feidhmiú an Ranga</i><br />
Sue Divin <i>Says Himself</i><br />
Elaine Toal <i>Revisiting</i><br />
Karen Mooney <i>A More Sustainable Future</i><br />
Malachi Kelly <i>Mother Son and Ghost</i><br />
Trish Bennet <i>Kilty Relics</i><br />
Jay Faulkner <i>Always and Forever</i><br />
P.V. Wolseley <i>L’ Origine du Monde Speaks </i>and <i>La Grande Odalisque</i><br />
Nina Francus <i>To Wander, lost</i><br />
Anne Mc Master <i> Gardeners World</i><br />
Réamonn Ó Ciaráin <i>Bás Chúchulainn</i><br />
<br />
Have a peaceful Christmas and a wonderful New Year, and here’s hoping that 2019 brings us all <a href="https://www.byddilee.com/2016/12/christmas-spirit-post-a-helpie/">a world with more tolerance and love</a>, and don’t forget to join in the <a href="https://www.byddilee.com/2015/12/rebooting-christmas/">Revolution of Tenderness</a> where you can. <a href="https://www.byddilee.com/2017/12/a-little-flash-fiction-trilogy-for-christmas/">Click here to read a little Flash Fiction Trilogy </a>I wrote a couple of years back…<br />
<br />
Byddi LeeByddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-43587378760474528852018-11-25T05:34:00.000-08:002018-11-25T05:38:49.149-08:00A Great Night at the Flash Fiction in Georgian Armagh<span style="font-family: inherit;">I hear it all around me. There's a fizzle in the air, people calling greetings, reunion hugs, first meeting handshakes and mutual shoulder clapping for those readers expressing how nervous they are. A new to Flash Fiction Armagh person arrives in and I send her in the direction of the bunch mostly made up mostly from Women Aloud NI members who have all coalesced around one table.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">"Just tell them you're here by yourself and they'll welcome you," I say, but to be fair, such is our audience that you could sit down at any table and you'd be knee deep in conversation in two seconds flat.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I see her safely absorbed into the craic before she even makes it to the table I'd pointed out. I give folk little more time to be social. The bistro staff are working flat-out to get everyone organised but luckily no-one is stamping feet and singing, "Why are we waiting?" We're in a happy place.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I breathe a sigh of relief that we've filled the room and only need a couple of extra chairs brought in - a perfect crowd for a perfect night.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmSpklaq2rztd63q3BNACiFsI6kjbH8P8nb_mcgAKSdWRouruE_Lrt3ownrh01LDUJu664eR-XhSfASARfHt37UVAMqAcwZMWVldrpbMRdyn3_63Ut3zL5WhtuoXXMe6x41AlXRKF2Ag/s1600/IMG_20181122_191049.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmSpklaq2rztd63q3BNACiFsI6kjbH8P8nb_mcgAKSdWRouruE_Lrt3ownrh01LDUJu664eR-XhSfASARfHt37UVAMqAcwZMWVldrpbMRdyn3_63Ut3zL5WhtuoXXMe6x41AlXRKF2Ag/s400/IMG_20181122_191049.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the room fill up before the event.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">One final check that there are no late lingerers still downstairs, then I give Réamonn Ó Ciarán the thumbs up and we're off. The stories wow us - each and every one. But don't take my word for it, watch for yourselves. Each one speaks for itself...</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Christopher Moore's story <i>Solitude</i> is superbly written and keeps us hooked right to the end.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/oay8uxlvV7w/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oay8uxlvV7w?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">First time Flash Fictioner, Rachel Toner takes the floor and wows the audience with <i>Inferno.</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/o45AiKoyD9k/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/o45AiKoyD9k?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">No-one can believe this is Patricia Hanlon's first time reading her work, when she enthrals us with her extract from <i>Kirty's Vow, </i>leaving us all asking, "Where/when can we buy this book." </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SBneObWLGrU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SBneObWLGrU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><i></i></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Terry Hickland entertains us from his beautifully written forthcoming novel, <i>The Piano Boat.</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/REnUGKNJaJk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/REnUGKNJaJk?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We share in Maureen Boyle's heartache as she read her short story <i>Box Room, </i>and admire the sweater the story references her knitting.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gD8Z1iMPZ88/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gD8Z1iMPZ88?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> </i><br /><i></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">From deepest darkest Tyrone, Kieran Mc Gurk reads <i>Zaragoza </i>and the room hanging on his every word and accents (some of which I reckon are not from Tyrone!)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cp8RLrXCTaY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cp8RLrXCTaY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">I bring us into the intermission with <i>A Thick Foundation. </i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cLZwuKosx2U/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cLZwuKosx2U?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After the break R</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">éalt</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">án Ní Leannáin expertly brings us through her excerpt from her novel set in Malta and written in Irish, <i>Cití na gCártaí, </i>cleverly bridging the language barrier so everyone can enjoy both the story and the language it is written in.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/u8cHhvOAqPE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u8cHhvOAqPE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Cathy Carson makes us all sit up and take notice with her amazing performance of <i>Wake Up Call</i> from memory - a new and higher setting of the bar in Flash Fiction Armagh!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0NOEiyJQ0pQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0NOEiyJQ0pQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Mahogany </i>is Peter Hollywood's thrilling story about a knife fight </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and keeps us all on the edge of our seats.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RBZNljs2Ft4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RBZNljs2Ft4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Gaynor Kane gives us a wry smile as she recounts a strange decision by the Highway Patrol in Oregan in <i>Jonah and the Whale. </i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QP2J7UX-sKM/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QP2J7UX-sKM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A stunning theatrical performance by Rose Tumilty of <i>Hunter's Moon O'er Airgialla </i>steps us back in history and lore.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2CGSpqUTwPY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2CGSpqUTwPY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i> </i><br /><i></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Eddie Mc Clenaghan's fresh take on a teched-up Santa brings the smiles to our faces with <i>The Night Before Christmas Was Cool</i>. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/sFBTpc6Ql6Y/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sFBTpc6Ql6Y?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Christmas Disaster by Doreen Mc Bride has us all laughing, ending the evening on a high was is still being discussed "up the town" on Saturday when I bump into audience members at the Georgian Festival. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bnyNrEa-LdM/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bnyNrEa-LdM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">It's fair to say that the Flash Fiction events are going from strength to strength and that's due to the fabulous teamwork of the writers who submit such excellent work, the audience who support them and the wonderful venues we've been lucky enough to have host us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">If watching these videos has given you some inspiration, submission's are open until 5th December 2018 for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/281042895873393/">Flash Fiction Saturday Night in the Museum</a> taking place on 5th January 2019 in Armagh County Museum. So get those stories in asap!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Byddi Lee</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><i></i></span>
Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comArmagh, UK54.3502798 -6.652791999999976754.3132588 -6.7334729999999769 54.387300800000006 -6.5721109999999765tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-82831039182762307222018-10-30T06:18:00.001-07:002018-11-12T03:07:10.125-08:00Armagh Literary Scene Presents...I seriously cannot believe my good fortune - there's just so much going on in the literary scene in Armagh that I find myself swinging from one event to the next!<br />
<br />
Last Friday night, I was proud to be included in a contingent from Women Aloud NI who were invited as special guests to the always wonderful Open Mic Night in the Abbey Lane Theatre. I'm a huge fan of this establishment and always have a grand old evening there but it was with a double pride that I presented it to my sistas from Women Aloud NI and vice versa. Each group wowed the other and rightly so. The readings were deep, rich, lewd and entertaining in equal measure and doubled down by the musical acts and poetry from regulars, it added up to a brilliant night. It filled me up with that "ah, my wee Armagh" glow that warms my heart so often these days.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDvxR_9fUXySLFT5gQCTdZyOpyIsi5ZQs5cq-TQ0kgJw6-oKnoyYpdirjNUS-4kdUy8NTLb2v-RPs4boo3TXQSMafvqa08qvQTu2RzShiGqC5HRkRvgIGsjrAcbW8lLUZjQL7WQyCi8g/s1600/BeFunky-collageOMN.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDvxR_9fUXySLFT5gQCTdZyOpyIsi5ZQs5cq-TQ0kgJw6-oKnoyYpdirjNUS-4kdUy8NTLb2v-RPs4boo3TXQSMafvqa08qvQTu2RzShiGqC5HRkRvgIGsjrAcbW8lLUZjQL7WQyCi8g/s400/BeFunky-collageOMN.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The John O Connor Festival begins on the 1st November and I'm excited about volunteering, attending and reading at the festival.<br />
<br />
To see what's on, have a look at the <a href="http://www.thejohnoconnorwritingschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JOC-A5-programme-2018-email.pdf">programme</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thejohnoconnorwritingschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JOC-A5-programme-2018-email.pdf"><img alt="http://www.thejohnoconnorwritingschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/JOC-A5-programme-2018-email.pdf" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5Rr3gO6XQw119-9tuPApbsrTEGq31JlnqpoSv3fchXg4PzrhyVPGmZw3AKON3JNwfuo7Bx6aMYmxDKnRw9rFJFrcSjy7d0JuWUpZyiKuix6rmh4PjbnsQDJaUlRH-SpdyrQzMMsAG2Y/s640/350x500xA3Poster-350x500.jpg.pagespeed.ic.tOJGZZ6oCB.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<br />
And last but certainly by no means least, <a href="https://www.byddilee.com/flash-fiction-armagh-1">Flash Fiction in Georgian Armagh</a> is pleased to announce it's line up for the event taking place on 22nd November 2018 at 7pm upstairs in Mulberry Bistro during Armagh's amazing <a href="https://visitarmagh.com/flash-fiction-in-goergian-armagh/">Georgian Festival</a>. And what a lineup!<br />
<br />
In no particular order, congratulations to,<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 691px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 5705; mso-width-source: userset; width: 117pt;" width="156"></col> <col style="mso-width-alt: 19565; mso-width-source: userset; width: 401pt;" width="535"></col> </colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 117pt;" width="156"><br /></td>
<td class="xl67" style="width: 401pt;" width="535"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Kerry Buchanan</td>
<td class="xl67"><i>Only a Clockwok Heart </i></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Réaltán Ní Leannáin</td>
<td class="xl67"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Excerpt from <i>Cití na gCártaí</i> to be published in 2019 with Cois Life Press</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Christopher Moore</td>
<td class="xl67"><i>Solitude</i></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Maureen Boyle</td>
<td class="xl67"><i>Box Room</i></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Eddie McClenaghan</td>
<td class="xl67"><i>The Night Before Christmas Was Cool</i></td>
</tr>
<tr height="23" style="height: 17.25pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="23" style="height: 17.25pt;">Rosemary Tumilty</td>
<td class="xl68"><i>Hunter’s Moon O’er Airgialla</i></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Peter Hollywood</td>
<td class="xl67"><i>Mahogany</i></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Doreen Mc Bride</td>
<td class="xl67"><i>Christmas Disaster</i></td>
</tr>
<tr height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="21" style="height: 15.75pt;">Kieran McGurk</td>
<td class="xl69"><i>Zaragoza</i></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Terry Hickland</td>
<td class="xl67">extract from the forthcoming novel <i>The Piano Boat</i></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Gaynor Kane</td>
<td class="xl67"><i>Jonah and the Whale</i></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Cathy Carson</td>
<td class="xl67"><i>Wake Up Call</i></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Patricia Hanlon</td>
<td class="xl67">Extract from <i>Kirsty's Vow</i></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Rachel Toner</td>
<td class="xl67"><i>Inferno</i></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">Byddi Lee</td>
<td class="xl70"><i>A Thick Foundation</i></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
For more information on events during the <a href="https://visitarmagh.com/festivals/georgian-day/">Georgian Festival please check out their website.</a><br />
<br />
Byddi LeeByddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-83471767369806387942018-09-23T10:25:00.000-07:002018-09-24T01:27:41.018-07:00The Magic of Flash Fiction In The Orchard<br />
<h4>
Alternative title - Rain on a Cold Tin Roof and The Silence of the Lamb</h4>
<br />
The <a href="http://www.armaghcider.com/">Armagh Cider Company</a> proved to be excellent hosts as we kicked off the <a href="https://visitarmagh.com/festivals/food-cider/">Armagh Food and Cider Festival 2018</a> with our flash fiction event.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUCsBxaXXEPjQe3wPwT8OVPtr1ZUdSfov-j_A2rrqDLcNtyv2ocDICh500Il2AmFoI_R26L6taBFr03p03ByMfwLTCtP6EEmG9vxVboN54xBmpiJIBlIApaC0Dy-7rH322CKhI1D0M_M/s1600/received_282465552369484.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUCsBxaXXEPjQe3wPwT8OVPtr1ZUdSfov-j_A2rrqDLcNtyv2ocDICh500Il2AmFoI_R26L6taBFr03p03ByMfwLTCtP6EEmG9vxVboN54xBmpiJIBlIApaC0Dy-7rH322CKhI1D0M_M/s400/received_282465552369484.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
People seemed to arrive more on time than usual, possibly the lure of warm mulled cider on a wet evening, or more likely - as was our case- afraid of getting lost in the wilderness of the Armagh Orchards.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsikVG_IqGPfW-inXb_9ZNR4nF4p32pT4QIQS4dcWFgdCt3_WzEeCjv-tr3Y7lGfK64J4dIn3ObsjKosnoXyUfKWjlkefijvtWlMbzPcJ1mbOGEikKkPVXYeDnjQWzbY2HiGVFXpqkAU/s1600/received_269292837036515.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsikVG_IqGPfW-inXb_9ZNR4nF4p32pT4QIQS4dcWFgdCt3_WzEeCjv-tr3Y7lGfK64J4dIn3ObsjKosnoXyUfKWjlkefijvtWlMbzPcJ1mbOGEikKkPVXYeDnjQWzbY2HiGVFXpqkAU/s400/received_269292837036515.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The Barn was welcoming with its rustic decor and its aroma of cider and spices filling the air. Before too long the place filled up. I was heartened to see people who had been before greeting other regulars. Setting out on this project back at the beginning of the year, our goal had been to create community amongst writers and readers and I could see that unfolding effortlessly before me.<br />
<br />
We started with Elaine Toal and her heartwarming story called <i>Hurricane Glamping. </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03s1ZAStquSrpDmZhkeQyNBkse6AYQoNbG0O39R8IqvaE45lIlmFS7qwLltlZLDBNqhjT_jKck75eTSvc8vVkryFggh4ayIdW05F7FDW4op5qiEZvznRXZyQcQX8csM3mF_fftLevDEE/s1600/received_1557605891010438.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03s1ZAStquSrpDmZhkeQyNBkse6AYQoNbG0O39R8IqvaE45lIlmFS7qwLltlZLDBNqhjT_jKck75eTSvc8vVkryFggh4ayIdW05F7FDW4op5qiEZvznRXZyQcQX8csM3mF_fftLevDEE/s400/received_1557605891010438.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
The title drew a wry chuckle from the audience considering Storm Ali had battered us all the previous day. We didn't need to stretch our imaginations too far back to feel the gusts of wind that Elaine described so eloquently. A minor technical hitch with the sound about a third of the way through Elaine's reading meant that parts of it were difficult to hear. She battled on professionally to the end, trying to ignore it when the misbehaving mics crackled and fizzed. (The joys of new venues and new equipment!) We got the tech sorted and were able to continue, but I was happy when at the break a member of the audience suggested we ask her to read again. They had liked what they had heard and wanted the full story, others agreed and I was struck by the generosity of our audience. It was also a huge compliment to Elaine who, unencumbered by mics throwing hissy-fits, rocked the story the second time around.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/D0hCu3UjVC8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/D0hCu3UjVC8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Next up was Jay Faulkner, bringing the audience to the brink of tears with his emotive story <i>And Then She Danced. </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivf2OfdQ3DmVvpouexSFT-5tND_aBIouQYv-zwyHKxTgpmGouloW3HB-A1wXdDCHH_q2lDWcIhTKFiDN_ZFnDRGRZbP8gEEm6pkJhhhUKc5AFk9eBHCICYOQ8luBaQzi1idqXwvl5LJCo/s1600/received_688406784857063.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivf2OfdQ3DmVvpouexSFT-5tND_aBIouQYv-zwyHKxTgpmGouloW3HB-A1wXdDCHH_q2lDWcIhTKFiDN_ZFnDRGRZbP8gEEm6pkJhhhUKc5AFk9eBHCICYOQ8luBaQzi1idqXwvl5LJCo/s400/received_688406784857063.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Jay always delivers and the crowd was dead silent as he read.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HyiNEAD-PNY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HyiNEAD-PNY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Somewhere outside a baby lamb bleated. I'm not sure yet if the sound came out on the recording but it was surreal - I wondered if I was imagining it, or if it was someone's ringtone, but later others confirmed they too had heard a lamb. It all added to being in a barn, in an Orchard, in Armagh, telling stories. I had one of those moments? How did I get to be here doing this? And grateful for every second of it, for every person in that barn, readers (listeners) and writers, for one was nothing without the other. My biology head kicked in and labelled it - Symbiosis.<br />
<br />
Sue Divin lightened the mood with her lovely and lively rendition of <i>Twist or Pull, </i>a story aptly set in an orchard in Armagh about two young boys stealing apples.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7oVci8FvANgaff6y5l5TVAB137z9qFPiqCcQX98lsNjUluJAubtTEPg5WtEktJBJF5ALLOddkuQ-zc8W6Ym15o7Wf47QEwsUPIo5uORBq47VUpO-UCXj-GTYGL44E_mtke63bNfFJcE/s1600/received_337443476801369.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7oVci8FvANgaff6y5l5TVAB137z9qFPiqCcQX98lsNjUluJAubtTEPg5WtEktJBJF5ALLOddkuQ-zc8W6Ym15o7Wf47QEwsUPIo5uORBq47VUpO-UCXj-GTYGL44E_mtke63bNfFJcE/s400/received_337443476801369.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
The percussion of rain on the tin roof above us added to our sense of being right there in the orchard with them. The twist, as promised in the title was beautifully executed by this excellent wordsmith.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uiVhXkwGTik/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uiVhXkwGTik?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Jude Alexander had us all enthralled with her story <i>Realization.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQr2G7JApIsPvR3d3J5F98AAilkpX4R1NSTOSV6xb78P7iTMz3fHe_8oDnMdHy736A0N7xNu8pvhe6IwtxoRsuoQsobXfyM17lKajh0Rny-ofCpBGg5U__0_GARiyuF1SZaDWP16YToHM/s1600/received_347488889330379.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQr2G7JApIsPvR3d3J5F98AAilkpX4R1NSTOSV6xb78P7iTMz3fHe_8oDnMdHy736A0N7xNu8pvhe6IwtxoRsuoQsobXfyM17lKajh0Rny-ofCpBGg5U__0_GARiyuF1SZaDWP16YToHM/s400/received_347488889330379.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Her observation skills and attention to detail reminded me that that is what makes good writing, great.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6ZD0OYVLHjU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6ZD0OYVLHjU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
If one can be a better writer by osmosis (or listening to good writing) then I was in the right place!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Réamonn Ó Ciaráin's story <i>Glacadh arm agus an chéad mharú </i>magically transported us, not only to the era of Cúchulainn but in the lyrical Irish language to a story about our Ulster Hero in an anger frenzy being calmed down by way of distraction by the women of Armagh stripping naked - I just hoped they weren't having the weather we'd been having. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdsvrhu65trfjbMEJA2Axzb00k6Uza0apvVJwkf5aQtTQ8mFPIlMeXtYL4STR5gqY5_cUZS3MQU1gHQWXhlpyjQagTJz_x_6qH2o8qW4-3XREE8X1Tdl_R9VU7fmtuJKmeJN5sV_t1WY/s1600/received_266907617287728.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1600" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdsvrhu65trfjbMEJA2Axzb00k6Uza0apvVJwkf5aQtTQ8mFPIlMeXtYL4STR5gqY5_cUZS3MQU1gHQWXhlpyjQagTJz_x_6qH2o8qW4-3XREE8X1Tdl_R9VU7fmtuJKmeJN5sV_t1WY/s320/received_266907617287728.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Yet again, it was great to hear people's positive reactions to hearing the reading in Irish.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/rcjk3dxu8h4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rcjk3dxu8h4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black;">I continue to be inspired to learn more Irish.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">During the intermission </span>Philip and Helen Troughton, acclaimed artisan cider makers treated us to a taste of their apple juices and ciders. Delish! But don't take my word for it - keep an eye out for their <a href="http://www.armaghcider.com/products/"> cider range</a> in Tescos, Marks & Spencers and Kellys in Armagh. Go on, treat yourself.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgBSqJ79y2J2NIkgL2BakuO2Nn733TRWqVENdvMbxwA1p_sRSZ_folKgn6y5yV6FZzmENLC8Rz6YVFPvYQQmSvh1NB4LsoSGMg69FOTTJi556pqbBCqkw-KP8diBpx3hbGj_8vjEMR1I/s1600/received_454441381715072.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgBSqJ79y2J2NIkgL2BakuO2Nn733TRWqVENdvMbxwA1p_sRSZ_folKgn6y5yV6FZzmENLC8Rz6YVFPvYQQmSvh1NB4LsoSGMg69FOTTJi556pqbBCqkw-KP8diBpx3hbGj_8vjEMR1I/s400/received_454441381715072.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Thank you to <a href="http://www.grouchosonthesquare.com/">Mervyn Steenson of Groucho's in Richhill</a> for providing tasty platters of locally produced snacks.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNltpmG0GRmveFdiL3PsnWO0zLzinKw2UEy2_RmYfzi4bIb-s5Y8sGdODhMRN5Sfpacuyi5Z4pmDe1N1f5LAzl1lhlgf49uzEoohDBP2iP90qTPFCkgJ7oZ33K9SYJzUB66JDUcJp8KgM/s1600/IMG-20180920-WA0005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNltpmG0GRmveFdiL3PsnWO0zLzinKw2UEy2_RmYfzi4bIb-s5Y8sGdODhMRN5Sfpacuyi5Z4pmDe1N1f5LAzl1lhlgf49uzEoohDBP2iP90qTPFCkgJ7oZ33K9SYJzUB66JDUcJp8KgM/s400/IMG-20180920-WA0005.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Our first reader scheduled after the break created a spellbinding atmosphere with her reading that even silenced the lamb.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuWQHN4zZoQ5d5Pwzl1l84Fv2lWu1Y1e6PT-tCLB-zZln_q2EIUXnYPjDLHHjfek_9XUKDhF4ndBNGizvsWt7UJ5pahLcb1Ks8qCDL8BHeikuMVS_Iv7zwVvfzC_xwzmdfXo5HJx-bUI/s1600/received_298167194115796.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuWQHN4zZoQ5d5Pwzl1l84Fv2lWu1Y1e6PT-tCLB-zZln_q2EIUXnYPjDLHHjfek_9XUKDhF4ndBNGizvsWt7UJ5pahLcb1Ks8qCDL8BHeikuMVS_Iv7zwVvfzC_xwzmdfXo5HJx-bUI/s400/received_298167194115796.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
A true literary genius, Cathy Carson held our hearts in her hands as she read <i>Ready, </i>leaving hardly a dry eye in the house.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PF6MK9JIg6A/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PF6MK9JIg6A?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
Hot on her heels, Paul Anthony pulled us into the world of a person obsessed with counting with his clever use of language in <i>The Dead Counter.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEch1jElQ29EMtktoPT_jvnGgY9RlZCl78qAU6GHuBKOpGroFP_dvSgZZKD0m4bQSdRXEOUVKuEME40hvCbyjADmv9iOaBcjoDyfb2j9NcjGiQAFrpf_uc9gHNpGb6VPgDbCqLQfBLMfs/s1600/received_567436163674815.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEch1jElQ29EMtktoPT_jvnGgY9RlZCl78qAU6GHuBKOpGroFP_dvSgZZKD0m4bQSdRXEOUVKuEME40hvCbyjADmv9iOaBcjoDyfb2j9NcjGiQAFrpf_uc9gHNpGb6VPgDbCqLQfBLMfs/s400/received_567436163674815.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
The twist at the end collected a unified gasp from the audience and the lamb resumed operations!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RJJnX3AO6v8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RJJnX3AO6v8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span id="goog_739106219"></span><span id="goog_739106220"></span><br />
The rain continued to 'fall like pebbles' on the roof - to paraphrase John O Connor's words - as Eddie McClenaghan took to the apple-barrel-podium.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV03c1eLeHT_6qmoitRbeJ5Ak2lm2tfbj5E4S6-qA__KXfZtPQWauicnA7bqB_5nTBCOc4kPSWc24Zac6BaYrJUi3gupwKG0saZLCbSH5PTIthkaiT3qISG9YFVixzIO-jaZAAG-ToQ68/s1600/received_270566790452306.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV03c1eLeHT_6qmoitRbeJ5Ak2lm2tfbj5E4S6-qA__KXfZtPQWauicnA7bqB_5nTBCOc4kPSWc24Zac6BaYrJUi3gupwKG0saZLCbSH5PTIthkaiT3qISG9YFVixzIO-jaZAAG-ToQ68/s400/received_270566790452306.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
He expertly wove a tale in his story, <i>A Smile </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">that</span> carried the audience all the way through a fantastical twist that left us reeling. A new talent we hope to see more of.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4C9vv73KUdU/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4C9vv73KUdU?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
Kieran Mc Gurk evoked emotion and wry smiles with his story <i>Lonely Hearts. </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDR2P73pFO6zN2PU56ol1VR6_4tI_bmBVRai8xapDiFp9jWZPQlsGaYjDrEBCJ7O5V-8WRgnKLNRs4pm-nlNU2y5-BfSG0ULrdz9RgmNREJ9b3WbV4GdT96D7TISLq4F2yy1Hqd9tF7E/s1600/received_228578594680798.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDR2P73pFO6zN2PU56ol1VR6_4tI_bmBVRai8xapDiFp9jWZPQlsGaYjDrEBCJ7O5V-8WRgnKLNRs4pm-nlNU2y5-BfSG0ULrdz9RgmNREJ9b3WbV4GdT96D7TISLq4F2yy1Hqd9tF7E/s400/received_228578594680798.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
He deftly captured our emotions and served them up to us with added spice and a twist of humour.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ucn_Mhwobp8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ucn_Mhwobp8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
To round up the evening fellow <a href="http://womenaloudni.com/">Women Aloud NI</a> member, Doreen Mc Bride read <i>My Dolls Funeral, </i>leaving us all with a good laugh.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGVAWGzPl9CrLIt6V6Ml3VAZUaxCULTG9Km1WV0cdtSRMGL2uetPX78MMAUJkpGwt0e9kR4tacjeUSU4PMoR6yao1_c28HUJKk75IaVxOZ-nJp1Q03Umc1CmJ1xOZ44iZVFj5ELEz_9w/s1600/received_246127319424810.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidGVAWGzPl9CrLIt6V6Ml3VAZUaxCULTG9Km1WV0cdtSRMGL2uetPX78MMAUJkpGwt0e9kR4tacjeUSU4PMoR6yao1_c28HUJKk75IaVxOZ-nJp1Q03Umc1CmJ1xOZ44iZVFj5ELEz_9w/s400/received_246127319424810.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
When I complimented her on her humour, she looked me straight in the eye and declared that it wasn't funny at all. She had buried her doll! I've heard Doreen read at Women Aloud NI events, and the lady always leaves me smiling.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dAM9-5J0_Ug/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dAM9-5J0_Ug?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
Our next Flash Fiction event takes place during the <a href="https://visitarmagh.com/festivals/georgian-day/armagh-georgian-festival-events/">Georgian Festival in Armagh</a>. Submissions are open for<a href="https://www.byddilee.com/flash-fiction-armagh-1"> Flash Fiction in Georgian Armagh</a> until 22nd October. Please do not submit if you are not available to read at the event. For dates of our other Flash Fiction events until March 2019 <a href="https://www.byddilee.com/events-calendar">click here</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
We'd like to thank the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC) Borough Council for their support and for including us in their festivals. I've seen the work and commitment that goes into making these festivals so sucessful. They should be really proud of what they have achieved here.<br />
<br />
<br />
Byddi LeeByddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-91516449729006208642018-09-05T04:02:00.000-07:002018-09-05T04:02:09.418-07:00Talking at The John O Connor Writing School and Literary Arts Festival Programme Launch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.thejohnoconnorwritingschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/final-joc-programme-2018.pdf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="627" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDMkMsPv7eoim-qaGu6P1beX-UWcMgDe9BSnladNl6Cr5-4gopv6IRZ55IJFJXe6YaOqZe3TGXqRovfEIydqQioVnqHNNulRDBw6CgDGffo4MhWaNgKHSnBUOqMBmbVUgL84xqSRdwco/s640/Screenshot+2018-09-04+21.38.52.png" width="452" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As I stood up to speak at the <a href="http://thejohnoconnorwritingschool.com/">John O Connor Writing School and Literary Arts Festival</a> Programme Launch, I had a wee moment...one of those quick stock-takes I do on the hop from time to time.<br />
<br />
It led me to preface my talk with the ad-lib, 'This time three years ago, when I heard through social media that this literary festival was first taking place in Armagh I was really excited - except for one thing. I was living in San Jose, California.'<br />
<br />
In a weird parallel-universe-type symmetry, at that time, back in 2016, I was meeting up with Catherine Barry the founder and organiser of the <a href="https://irishwriterslosgatos.com/">Los Gatos Irish Arts and Writers Festival</a> just up the road from where I lived in California. They were preparing for their first festival to take place at the beginning of October.<br />
<br />
As it turned out, I missed both those festivals that year because we moved to Paris.<br />
<br />
And so fast-forward to 2018, I was thrilled to be included in a line-up of very distinguished, talented and renowned people involved with the local writing scene in the North of Ireland. This was the artist running order...<br />
<br />
Joris Minne<br />
<br />
Lord Mayor of ABC - Julie Flaherty<br />
Damian Smyth ACNI<br />
Mark Adair BBCNI<br />
Nuala McKeever<br />
Anthony Quinn<br />
Nisha Tandon – Arts Ekta<br />
David Park<br />
Christine Morrow<br />
Brenda Winter Palmer<br />
Tony Villiers<br />
Kate O Hanlon - John O’Connor Creative writing group<br />
David Braziel<br />
Byddi Lee<br />
Cathy McCullough<br />
<br />
<br />
I was second last up, so I battled down the oul' nerves as best I could as I enjoyed the other speakers, in between bouts of crippling self-doubt (How the heck was I going to match up with these guys?) and quietly fangirling because I was sitting beside Nuala McKeever ( <span class="st">Belfast's 'Queen of Comedy' </span>from <i>Give My Head Peace.</i>)<br />
<br />
And then, there I was standing at the podium realising that in three years I had gone from wishing I could go to this festival to speaking at its programme launch with all "them uns what were famous, like!"<br />
<br />
Thankfully, I'd everything I'd wanted to say written down in from of me. Anne Mc Master, a good friend I'd met through Women Aloud NI had helped me prepare my spiel and all I had to do now was deliver it. I suffer from performance amnesia. When I do a reading or engage in any public speaking, I can't remember much of it afterwards, but I must have done okay because when I sat down, Nuala McKeever leaned in and said, "I'm doing a workshop in Dublin tomorrow. Can I quote your words?"<br />
<br />
I was flabbergasted and nodded vigorously.<br />
<br />
She offered to take a photo of the piece of paper that was by now somewhat bend out of shape from my sweaty hands clutching it for the past hour and a half.<br />
<br />
"No need. Sure, have the whole thing," I said, shoving it towards her, limp creases and all.<br />
<br />
She read aloud the line she'd liked and thanked me, little knowing how much she'd made my day.<br />
<br />
Here's the full piece for your own perusal - I wonder can you guess the bit Nuala liked...<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">Armagh is a special place, not only to those who live here but to visitors who come to enjoy this beautiful ancient city with its friendly people. It’s not until you leave Armagh that you realise how truly special it is. I think about John O Connor on his travels in hot dusty Australia and wonder, was he homesick for Armagh, did he crave the tang of a Bramley apple and the spice of our humour? </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">As I read “Come Day Go Day ” sitting in the heat of a Californian drought, O Connor’s words brought old Armagh to me. I heard the noise of water tumbling on the umbrella when he wrote, “... the rain drummed against it like a flurry of pebbles.” I took delight in his description of how “The afternoon sunshine fell upon the clean dry road...”</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB"></span></span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">At the time, I was already mentally packing up my life abroad – the tug of home, held at bay for a good half dozen years, had finally gained traction. But what would happen to my writing? When I’d last lived here, I’d been a biology teacher – now I was returning as a writer – sure, it was like I was a totally different person.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">I’d only been settled back in Armagh for a month when I attended my first John O Connor Writing School Literary festival last year. This cultural feast served portions of literature, platters of poetry and servings of song – all seasoned with plenty of craic! </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">Writers need community. You sit in a room all day by yourself, even worse – you hang out in your own head for hours at a time. The John O Connor festival is a place to meet and connect with other writers, to practice your craft and to share ideas and resources. That’s where I first heard about ‘Women Aloud NI’ whose aim is to raise the profile of women writing the North. I joined and as a result, have had many opportunities to showcase my writing. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">After the 2017 festival, I wanted to keep that sense of belonging, of community amongst writers alive </span><span class="textexposedshow">and promote Armagh as a place where writing happens</span><span lang="EN-GB">. That’s why I started the Facebook Page and group – Armagh Writers – a group for writers who are from or who</span><span class="textexposedshow"> live in Armagh. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">I also volunteered on the John O Connor Writing School board and have been in the role of secretary since January. </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="textexposedshow">To draw writers to and to provide a platform for writers in Armagh, another Armagh writer, Réamonn</span><span lang="EN-GB"> Ó Ciaráin and I started Flash Fiction Armagh. We’ve been included in the Food and Cider Festival at the end of this month as Flash Fiction in the Orchard and are collaborating as part of </span>The John O’Connor Lyrical Literary Lunchtime<span lang="EN-GB"> on Sunday 4th November</span>.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-GB">Festivals like this one enable our communities to thrive, whether that be the writing community or the wider community. Everyone needs the arts. Humanity needs language, in all its forms, to communicate and express our thoughts and feelings to each other so we may recognize ourselves in others, rejoice in our similarities and learn from our differences. And this is where the John O Connor Writing School Literary Festival plays a pivotal role in our city – for it represents the things that make Armagh great – namely, culture, creativity and community. </span></span></span></div>
</blockquote>
Be sure to book your tickets ASAP to avoid disappointment. It's a brilliant weekend. For a reminder of how last years festival went <a href="https://www.byddi.com/2017/11/no-borders-no-boundaries-john-oconnor.html">click here.</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Byddi Lee<br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-72738972119019083142018-09-02T03:19:00.000-07:002018-09-05T11:31:49.298-07:00Flash Fiction in the Orchard Presents...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJ4LLuBWoJR4qMw-9cow2aUF3kzUrH6LDH5MbOMXLapiquogeI_Ar9Nfo5hyz6EVKVXOwA_5rzyp3BUdzfBeKHeEpeoYRqwOyR_OL9d9eO2UIWEuCosFBYgjfinabyqrFu-T9HtukWK0/s1600/FlashFictionInTheOrchard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJ4LLuBWoJR4qMw-9cow2aUF3kzUrH6LDH5MbOMXLapiquogeI_Ar9Nfo5hyz6EVKVXOwA_5rzyp3BUdzfBeKHeEpeoYRqwOyR_OL9d9eO2UIWEuCosFBYgjfinabyqrFu-T9HtukWK0/s400/FlashFictionInTheOrchard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
An outstanding response to our call for submissions gave us some difficulty making our final selection. We are delighted to present the following writers at Flash Fiction in the Orchard, as part of the Armagh Food and Cider Festival, on the 20<sup>th</sup> September 2018 at 7pm.<br />
<br />
In no particular order, congratulations to:<br />
<br />
Elaine Toal, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hurricane Glamping</i><br />
Jay Faulkner, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And Then She Danced</i><br />
<span style="color: black;">Sue Divin, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Twist or Pull</i></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Jude Alexzander, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Realisation</i></span><br />
Sharon Dempsey<span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Watcher</i><br />
Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Glacadh arm & an chéad mharú</span></i><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Cathy Carson,</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Ready</span></i><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Paul Anthony, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dead Counter</i></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Eddie McClenaghan, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Smile</i></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Louise G Cole, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Unscripted</i></span><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="RANGE!A8"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Kieran Mc Gurk</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lonely Hearts</i></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Doreen McBride, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My dolls funeral</i></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="bidi">So please come to the Armagh Cider Company’s beautifully restored barn where we’ll be having the event. Booking is essential, and tickets are available <a href="https://armagh-navancentre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873588612">here</a>.</span><br />
<span class="bidi"> </span><br />
<span class="bidi">I have enjoyed reading all the submissions, and consider it a privilege to have writers send me their work. The standard has been consistently high and if a story is not selected it is no reflection on the writer’s talents. To all writers – including myself – I say keep writing, keep submitting and keep going – and thank you for your tenacity because without writers picking themselves up and burrowing through despite the rejection letters, we’d all miss out on great literature, books and stories.</span><br />
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span class="bidi">Byddi Lee</span><i><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</i>Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-34286327334149578772018-07-30T03:01:00.000-07:002018-07-30T03:01:23.709-07:00Facing Change at the John Hewitt International Summer School<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My brain whirls with such a kaleidoscope of thoughts and ideas that I hardly know where to begin. The theme of the <a href="https://www.johnhewittsociety.org/summer-school/">John Hewitt International Summer School</a> this year is “Facing change: shifting borders and allegiances.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlfNQGDLGN46kBPXQ3L3EfC_8aLabcntzle8QgKIFOcFNPZCwlFbnvYH-7sh8hSIy0lwYFxCFvztInk24a1j9weokG1XeiUaiOz2nq04R2FsCr1TchqLec-gH6_NMBBhZbIuVmW-fEf4/s1600/JHISS2018CoverSquare.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlfNQGDLGN46kBPXQ3L3EfC_8aLabcntzle8QgKIFOcFNPZCwlFbnvYH-7sh8hSIy0lwYFxCFvztInk24a1j9weokG1XeiUaiOz2nq04R2FsCr1TchqLec-gH6_NMBBhZbIuVmW-fEf4/s320/JHISS2018CoverSquare.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As I sit in the sun outside the Market Place theatre and look across the street, I’m transported back in time to see two little girls, my sister and I, swinging and tumbling on the bars between on the concrete bollards that spanned the black expanse of tarmac that once covered Market Street. This was our <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">playground</span>. I was an expert at hanging upside down by my knees like a little <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">bat</span>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I share my flashback with my summer school friends by telling them I used to live there, point out which was our house, which one was my <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">grandfather's</span> tailor shop and most importantly which one was the sweetie shop. Someone says that it must have been lovely to live there, but I point out that it was 1970’s Armagh and the place did not look like it does now. Facing change in this way is a welcome thing. So much is better but as the talks and panel discussions highlight, we still have a way to go and the path can be rocky – especially apparent after the panel discussion “What went wrong?” on the very first day with Gregory Campbell, Brid Rodgers, Colm Gildernew and Trevor Ringland. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I hadn’t expected the political discussions. I try to keep local politics out of my writing. In fact, I try to keep all politics out of my writing, but that panel discussion left me feeling like all the emotional <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">sand</span> I’d used to cover my political opinions had stirred up and was now swirling around, muddying the waters. I’d wanted to shout at the panel, “Listen to each other.” Have we ever just asked simple questions like, “What do you want?” “What do you need?” Have we ever given simple answers? Can we simply be fair? Kind? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There were some beautifully uplifting moments too. It was a delight to listen to <a href="http://www.liznugent.ie/">Liz Nugent</a> and <a href="http://www.claireallan.com/">Claire Allan</a> in conversation. These women were so supportive and generous to each other. It enforces what I always say about writers – we are never in completion with each other. A book can be read far faster than it can be written. If a reader loves two writers who have similar style/genres/subject matter then they <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will</i> read both. Because of this <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">week,</span> I need to buy another bookcase! Also great to see Dave Torrens from <a href="http://noalibis.com/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">No Alibis</i></a> selling books in Armagh – perhaps he’ll consider a <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">pop-up</span> bookstore here in the <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">run-up</span> to Christmas? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My favourite speaker was Eli Davies. Her exploration of how literature portrays the role of women during the conflict here was inspiring. I fear the creative light-bulb moments she ignited… do I really want to ever write about those times from my own perspective…maybe sometime. The following day Monica McWilliams blew on those creative sparks, with her talk about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Women Waging Peace</i> as she infused me with hope for a better future. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If you ever get a chance to see <a href="http://locoandrecklessproductions.com/">Mikel Murfi</a>’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Man in the Woman’s Shoes </i>and the sequel <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I Hear You and <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Rejoice</span></i><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> don’t hesitate to go.</span> Sometimes a piece of writing is just so brilliant it grabs a hold of you and just won’t let go. Even days later, there are moments when I laugh out loud or tear up simply thinking about these performances. Murfi savages <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">the audience's emotions</span>, mercilessly swinging us between gales of laughter to floods of tears. What is it about the human condition that we actually enjoy having our emotions thus pummeled?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Between the panel discussions and classes, over coffee or wandering around the city, new friendships were forged, old friendships strengthened, ideas shared, concepts explored. Thank you to the organizers of the John Hewitt Summer School for creating a diverse and stimulating programme that enables people to get together, to share and unite. This was the overall best part of the summer school experience – the way the attendees came together in a solid body, a meeting of minds, hearts and muses. The camaraderie was palpable, the laughter infectious and the tears too – especially for those of us who attended the Mikel Murfi performances.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I would also like to thank the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for sponsoring my bursary to attend the John Hewitt Summer School. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Thanks also to the wonderful women in <a href="http://womenaloudni.com/">Women Aloud NI</a> who were a joy to be with all week long. Despite the things that make us different, it is the things we have in common that matter. Accepting our diversity makes us stronger and more adaptable, more able to face change, more happy to accept change. I loved having you here – please come back soon. <a href="http://www.angelineking.com/blog/armagh-my-rive-gauche">Click here to read what my friend Angeline King thought of Armagh</a> - you might be surprised, or you may know better and might not be at all surprised...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For a local like me, it was wonderful to see people come and enjoy Armagh. It is a special place, has been for thousands of years, all the way back to times of Navan Fort. There’s magic here, and I feel that magic touched us all last week, helping us to listen to one another, share with each other, giving us the tools to face change together because together is the only way humans will surmount the changes facing us in the near and distant future. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Byddi Lee </span></div>
Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-27434645316612684062018-07-09T12:26:00.000-07:002018-07-09T12:26:27.515-07:00Filming 'Dark & Stormy' when it's Bright & SunnyWhen I returned to Armagh in September 2018, I really wanted to learn about screenwriting. My dream is to see <i>March To November </i>as a six-part BBC drama. I've had a little bit of interest from screenwriters to do a movie but nothing came from that and so I thought I'd learn the craft myself.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1724605181194334/">Screenwriting NI</a> is a Facebook group which encourages community among screenwriters They are a warm and welcoming bunch, and extremely patient with new screenwriters like me. At one of their meetings, I met the talented Marion McDowell. She generously agreed to swap critiquing scripts with me - extremely generous, considering my lack of experience compared to hers. But I felt I could at least contribute with plot structure and story since that would be similar in many ways to writing fiction.<br />
<br />
Her script was called 'Dark & Stormy' and I offered some suggestions. She entered the script into a couple of competitions and was shorted-listed and won awards! When she asked me if I'd like to be involved with the shooting of the film, I said yes immediately.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOp3-lyPtlrAeUtFmukNca69Sveml2OpvVQgOdMOsjy4zvE6s_sHaoZ2IYnD9_EhJ-Y_vscvO2QVnPawEHOQ4zqN7-ltXmxbQ4rvosZOxV4Y2EqkQqKxFo44GY9VGjHrU3FK0_jW2y6eQ/s1600/1524997023770.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="260" data-original-width="346" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOp3-lyPtlrAeUtFmukNca69Sveml2OpvVQgOdMOsjy4zvE6s_sHaoZ2IYnD9_EhJ-Y_vscvO2QVnPawEHOQ4zqN7-ltXmxbQ4rvosZOxV4Y2EqkQqKxFo44GY9VGjHrU3FK0_jW2y6eQ/s320/1524997023770.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
So I had committed before I realized that we were shooting a film that would need to be filmed late at night, in the rain!<br />
<br />
There wasn't a drop of rain for the first shoot back in April but the crew had a rain rig. I was tasked with working the clapperboard and was happy to do it. It was quite an education. One scene can take hours. The minutest details can cause havoc. The shoot ended at 3.30am. The road back to Armagh was eerily empty of traffic. But it had been a great evening of cooperation, camaraderie and making new friends.<br />
<br />
Life gets in the way and the date for the second shoot was pushed out and out until eventually, we were all available on Sunday morning. That is Sunday morning at 6.30am. Quelle horror! That means me leaving Armagh at 5.30am.<br />
<br />
I dreaded the early rise from the moment the date had been set but in all honesty, it was a teeth-grittingly gorgeous morning. A golden fireball of sun gave movie-magic lighting to the empty roads and rolling fields rippling with long green grass, as I made my way to the big smoke. When I got there I had my choice of parking spots in just off Great Victoria Street! I chose one near one of those self-cleaning public toilets I'd seen across Europe but have never had the courage nor necessity to use. But as it so happened I reckoned today was going to be the day I would avail of their services since I badly needed to go and there were no cafes open yet.<br />
<br />
The rest of the crew and cast were arriving and I thought I better get the public toilet experience over with so I could get to work. But the toilet wasn't accepting my coins. I wasn't too heartbroken - It smelt rank and I was standing outside in the fresh air. But I was going to have to get inventive. Someone suggested I try the bus station behind the Europa so I headed that way to find the gates there closed. However, the Europa Hotel was open and the security guard on the door was distracted chatting to someone who seemed to have a tonne of luggage. I slipped in through the revolving doors and tried to walk as though a) I knew where I was going and b)as if I had every right to be there. I headed for the grand staircase - following the sign for the restrooms - got about four steps up when I heard a polite but firm "Are you okay there?"<br />
<br />
I couldn't tell if the man was front desk or security but either way, I'd have to explain myself. Oh, the shame of getting thrown out of the Europa and me not even drunk!<br />
<br />
Should I pretend to be a guest?<br />
<br />
Nah - better to be honest...<br />
<br />
"Sorry, but is there any chance I could use your toilets," I asked.<br />
<br />
"Sure, they're just 'round here." He pointed to the cafe and added, "Can I get you a coffee while you're here?"<br />
<br />
Seriously! Instead of kicking me out, he offered me a coffee!<br />
<br />
"No thanks, it's just that we're shooting a film up the street and there's nowhere open," I explained unnecessarily because a) it didn't matter what I was doing he was letting me use the loo and if I'm honest I was just showing off because I loved saying that bit about "shoot a film" and b) it was 6.30 on a Sunday Morning in Belfast - of course, nothing else was open and he would know that!<br />
<br />
"No problem, luv," he said (Belfast men <i>and</i> women call everybody love - it's not him being sexist) "Sure you know where we are if you have to come back."<br />
<br />
As I had the most luxurious pee, (for free) all I could think about was how lucky I'd been to avoid the smelly mysterious public toilets that never seemed to work but smelled like they were used all the time!<br />
<br />
When I got back to the rest of the crew, Marion was laughing in that I-can't-believe-this-is-happening way. The building we wanted to use for filming now had a crane in front of it and a team of window cleaners were getting set to work. Marion decided that the footpath in front of the Millenium Building would work just as well - actually better since the trees across the road had leafed out since she'd first scouted the location and the shot from Fratelli's of the original choice of building would be awkward. Serendipity at work!<br />
<br />
The team got set up and started shooting. The actors are so game. Poor <a href="http://www.jobbingactor.com/shannen-lofthouse/">Shannen Lofthouse</a>, playing the lead role, had to lie on Great Victoria Street for a good half hour. It was now past 7am and Belfast was waking up, or at least the tourists were judging by the wheelie cases trundling past giving us curious looks. By the way that's not the security guard from the Europa... that's our actor <a href="http://www.btuproductions.com/about">PJ Davey</a> who was scary to watch in front of the camera (on purpose, of course) and a really nice guy behind the scenes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvgMRq91Nx1wYU0dl9A-KDjF_PxvZdHFOx5lRauwjsp3kWtZi_tE1pK_QKKMDu2EBpBSa5FBU00Xc0T7JGPiBHx5Bdzcb830Zbag8U2PfP0aYzi4sEk3mS8cJzzcRMj4zlSh5SwhmOaw/s1600/IMG_20180701_073714.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvgMRq91Nx1wYU0dl9A-KDjF_PxvZdHFOx5lRauwjsp3kWtZi_tE1pK_QKKMDu2EBpBSa5FBU00Xc0T7JGPiBHx5Bdzcb830Zbag8U2PfP0aYzi4sEk3mS8cJzzcRMj4zlSh5SwhmOaw/s400/IMG_20180701_073714.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
At least it was a nice day to be lying about the streets of Belfast but that posed another problem for us. The script called for it to be dark and stormy but it was gloriously sunny and dry! Yes, we had a rain-rig but we weren't sure how that would go down what with there being a hosepipe bad in effect. Just our luck...<br />
<br />
But the scriptwriter is God of their world- at least within the body of the script. When one of the actors <a href="https://www.mediavolt.co.uk/profile/griffin-madill/">Griffin Madill</a> suggested a switch out of the words "dark and stormy" with the words "bright and sunny" in one of the lines, Marion ran with it realizing it actually made the script even better - you'll have to watch the film to understand! But serendipity strikes again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjP_M1vZSqeQpi8kVZrCB98yosCzZPOwPTy_wnEzWs9KDEpF9JX6c8b3z-JZ8vkM8znZetBaMk5ydrh72YAoYzt_QhFPLPhl2_xTFXMQ7K5a5v4mZPIiBdub9fKpr9y3VHSV4Beoep7I/s1600/IMG_20180701_081425%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1122" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjP_M1vZSqeQpi8kVZrCB98yosCzZPOwPTy_wnEzWs9KDEpF9JX6c8b3z-JZ8vkM8znZetBaMk5ydrh72YAoYzt_QhFPLPhl2_xTFXMQ7K5a5v4mZPIiBdub9fKpr9y3VHSV4Beoep7I/s640/IMG_20180701_081425%257E2.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Then when we were in the swing of things, with <a href="https://www.mediavolt.co.uk/profile/griffin-madill/">Griffin Madill</a> aka The Slasher, giving us his chilling stare, a team of road workers struck up their tarmac cutting saw right beside us. Not quite the "slashing" we were pitching for. I went and had a wee chat with them to see how long they planned on making hat God-awful noise. I reckoned they might well tell me where to go but no... they were simply lovely. Promised they'd have finished this piece of noisy cutting in 5 minutes and then quiet for a while. When they planned to resume cutting it would be in bursts of 5 minutes and they'd send someone up to warn us. I thanked them and told them no need to send anyone since we'd hear for ourselves but sure enough one of them came up to tell us they were starting the drill. I was sweet of them, but I suspected they were happy for a wee nosy too - I would be - which was why I was there!<br />
<br />
Behind the scenes time works in a weird way - sometimes it's a mad scramble to get things done and then there's loads of waiting around time. Our cast & crew camped out at the bus stop for a while - grateful of somewhere to sit down.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteunYbo7cf-xAi0kfU-7dVXm8F_3qaucUqZzCPFm9pxufBdPJMd8cGnqcBNcT1WhJhv_jlaSedlbGZ3kVlRNlGcV_lmFpzO3MFkJSbZPC6B6pRD1GlGUKY7NGGcX_UE0EyEQAzTRiCDk/s1600/IMG_20180701_091228.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteunYbo7cf-xAi0kfU-7dVXm8F_3qaucUqZzCPFm9pxufBdPJMd8cGnqcBNcT1WhJhv_jlaSedlbGZ3kVlRNlGcV_lmFpzO3MFkJSbZPC6B6pRD1GlGUKY7NGGcX_UE0EyEQAzTRiCDk/s640/IMG_20180701_091228.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
The camera and sound crew work seem to have a big workload - to my inexperienced eyes.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2eQPsA5BsWbniNyP-0XDK_8paHXW6Vnco7mDSban_MpInaQUSDtAI_vHFwKy9HIHmEZ4wO84SIy_lxZODVtNme106MV35Zt3zDU9bte-TKR67azfJGTwiAK_myLwwii-nXlV-l1wVT8/s1600/IMG_20180701_083052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1259" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2eQPsA5BsWbniNyP-0XDK_8paHXW6Vnco7mDSban_MpInaQUSDtAI_vHFwKy9HIHmEZ4wO84SIy_lxZODVtNme106MV35Zt3zDU9bte-TKR67azfJGTwiAK_myLwwii-nXlV-l1wVT8/s640/IMG_20180701_083052.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
But there's always time for a bit of craic with the cast. Shannen's knee looks so sore but that's all down to our excellent makeup department!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6YlXomqm_tvU3VHuvEea6PZXHo8Wq0tXob8A3YD2-xDSogXGRfyI-VW5rr7NP0Htkc-Az4zFV80QDlcblRuEDiR49dB6c-kX_U80zr9dVODU-z5WD5C8aAF49qArsasBVc-bIUWya1U/s1600/IMG_20180701_083201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6YlXomqm_tvU3VHuvEea6PZXHo8Wq0tXob8A3YD2-xDSogXGRfyI-VW5rr7NP0Htkc-Az4zFV80QDlcblRuEDiR49dB6c-kX_U80zr9dVODU-z5WD5C8aAF49qArsasBVc-bIUWya1U/s640/IMG_20180701_083201.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
The second half of our shoot took place in <a href="https://www.fratellibelfast.com/">Fratelli's,</a> and oh boy, was that a luxury!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSPoTGSxsIc82qQ7CtViCz7K24dvOZJ8UPQDcCL3vO7KtQAmUmmZ79pG5iFu3gwC3U7rj-3nKNbDL3OppjEZwRyr2UpfXLBn5So3moXjCkj2moj4X2QitXvo9G_wc-xl9cntN2eqlPpQ/s1600/IMG_20180701_103439.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSPoTGSxsIc82qQ7CtViCz7K24dvOZJ8UPQDcCL3vO7KtQAmUmmZ79pG5iFu3gwC3U7rj-3nKNbDL3OppjEZwRyr2UpfXLBn5So3moXjCkj2moj4X2QitXvo9G_wc-xl9cntN2eqlPpQ/s640/IMG_20180701_103439.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frederika Machala</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The cast for the next set of scenes arrived and we were working roughly to schedule which was a miracle considering the window cleaners and the saw guys, not to mention the fact we'd had to work around using the rain rig.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0BVSwYG3KxHX480LC0miekirpAB9bFOrOWgOpbglh35iNjlWCrGvowtIXEP8d65ag8yXwXketx1Vad0sTxuy8xQg9_WsjQJ9Oh-d0dCOhRdko-YcWBEMB85cneO4N2zsoZ-4T2eE_b0/s1600/IMG_20180701_103859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0BVSwYG3KxHX480LC0miekirpAB9bFOrOWgOpbglh35iNjlWCrGvowtIXEP8d65ag8yXwXketx1Vad0sTxuy8xQg9_WsjQJ9Oh-d0dCOhRdko-YcWBEMB85cneO4N2zsoZ-4T2eE_b0/s640/IMG_20180701_103859.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We had a coffee station and even fancier toilets than the Europa - I know go on a lot about loos but these things are important to me.<br />
<br />
Ray, the restaurant manager was welcoming and helpful. We took over the upstairs and filmed a scene with three obnoxious men ogling a young waitress. That was their characters. Behind the scenes, all the actors of both genders were simply lovely - a pleasure to work with! The actors at the table below are Tim Ferguson with his back to us, Nigel Boone drinking his pretend whiskey (cold tea) and Corey Millar.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGB6tFQblAxhb1ZnskqmnRWm-hFpAUylLBpWLp7stmRwIvkjiXHb0-2SssArOX1wlWqRIq69DEyt-Ax53byhHP_nlOSjJE4rEhWGSink9zhTYN6ZS-1zspVhBcsKZ-J0OlyY1ikTQDZ4I/s1600/IMG_20180701_121851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGB6tFQblAxhb1ZnskqmnRWm-hFpAUylLBpWLp7stmRwIvkjiXHb0-2SssArOX1wlWqRIq69DEyt-Ax53byhHP_nlOSjJE4rEhWGSink9zhTYN6ZS-1zspVhBcsKZ-J0OlyY1ikTQDZ4I/s400/IMG_20180701_121851.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Things went pretty smoothly. We even had time for a bit of messing about with the gender roles between setting up shots. The original line had Nigel's character leaching over the waitress (played by Frederika) and saying "Can't beat the twenty-year-olds." <br />
<br />
Frederika turns it all around. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xe4YKQanUVc/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xe4YKQanUVc?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
The camera-woman (me) wasn't too bad for this, but I'd sack the sound person (also me!)<br />
<br />
For me, this has been a fascinating process. I'm in awe of movies now, and the patience that actors must have (our actors are so tolerant and wait for long periods of time between shots in sometimes uncomfortable conditions.) I'm grateful to be a part of this project and am looking forward to seeing the final product.<br />
<br />
Byddi Lee<br />
<br />
<br />Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-41498183607506134982018-06-17T06:26:00.000-07:002018-06-26T16:07:03.045-07:00Flash Fiction Armagh 2<span style="color: black;">The upstairs room in Mulberry Bistro filled quickly and when every seat was taken, people had to line up around the wall, lean against the bar and crowd the door. The following photo doesn't tell the full story as it was taken about ten minutes before we started when the room was still relatively half empty! </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjxam_VrqOH44cyWR8eS1l3EGBCEsIi5cY-seqrK51rB1cLM-vRH4cPqyfZACEYpikdPfFbhOxMUW_umMhIFzeFb3m-FmwGI8pvXEEE3Qa1oVsVSyZ9S0WBjNm3scfBbIajxrYcPBs0A/s1600/35346505_10155624506033595_7164409563200880640_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1600" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjxam_VrqOH44cyWR8eS1l3EGBCEsIi5cY-seqrK51rB1cLM-vRH4cPqyfZACEYpikdPfFbhOxMUW_umMhIFzeFb3m-FmwGI8pvXEEE3Qa1oVsVSyZ9S0WBjNm3scfBbIajxrYcPBs0A/s400/35346505_10155624506033595_7164409563200880640_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">We doubled our audience since the first event and we were thrilled to bits. Nearly everyone who came the last time came back and many brought their friends. There was an air of excited expectation. With the rising hubbub, I worried that </span><span style="color: black;"><span class="_pe_i1 _pe_v1 ms-font-size-xxl ms-fwt-r ms-font-color-neutralPrimary _pe_21 bidi allowTextSelection" tabindex="0" title="Réamonn Ó Ciaráin">Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, whose turn it was to be MC for the evening, would have trouble getting things started but in a flash, he had the crowd tamed and ready to listen to the fantastic readers we had lined up.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0YjdscfHLLI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0YjdscfHLLI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black;">First up, Maureen Boyle read an extract of her poem <i>Incunabula </i>from her recently published book, <i>The Work of a Winter.</i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/InXPNiEavYg/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/InXPNiEavYg?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://laganonline.co/review-maureen-boyle-the-work-of-a-winter/">Click here<i> </i>to read a review of Maureen's Book in </a><i><a href="http://laganonline.co/review-maureen-boyle-the-work-of-a-winter/">Lagan Online.</a> </i><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><i> </i><br />Mairead Breen is new to reading her writing in public. </span><span style="color: black;">Looking forward to seeing more from this writer</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PFoM7oOP_yFI90G-IJIxJnZixBLHBh1o6_YjQDu15SxjVvPjguKFm-ADU7CzR1bgTFuI6TpCzNhyFixOadi9QgqXkTBsd3b8jPBKAR9dGFnaAJBPfXihG2FqWAN3RKGKtJXrKx7Oino/s1600/35464480_10155624505828595_3456286330575650816_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PFoM7oOP_yFI90G-IJIxJnZixBLHBh1o6_YjQDu15SxjVvPjguKFm-ADU7CzR1bgTFuI6TpCzNhyFixOadi9QgqXkTBsd3b8jPBKAR9dGFnaAJBPfXihG2FqWAN3RKGKtJXrKx7Oino/s320/35464480_10155624505828595_3456286330575650816_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"><br />Karen Mooney was back again with a lovely poem about her brother road-racing. You could sense the audience share Karen's emotion as she worried about her brothers' safety in her poem, <i>I Didn’t Feel the Wasp Sting.</i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/QH5w7iB-ThM/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QH5w7iB-ThM?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Another returnee, </span><span style="color: black;">Christopher Moore </span><span style="color: black;">gave us a skilful and delightful peek into the mind of a poetic genius with his piece <i>Yeats.</i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/a18qkpzphY4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a18qkpzphY4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="color: black;"><i> </i><br />All the way from Gweedore, County Donegal, Máire Dinny Wren read <i>Scáile Dheirdre</i>, the lilt and rhythm of the Irish language brought me back to my Gaeltacht days as a teen. I wish I'd keep practising the language - perhaps it's not too late.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gdrkz6HUeew/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gdrkz6HUeew?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span> <span style="color: black;">Then I read <i>Beheaded,</i> a piece inspired by <a href="http://byddi.blogspot.com/2018/03/time-travel-at-armagh-museum.html">my trip to the Armagh County Musem</a> which I blogged about a few months back.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/vmm8FNnTxEE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vmm8FNnTxEE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span> <span style="color: black;">After the break, <span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="color: black;">Jude Alexzander toyed with our emotions in a brilliantly crafted story called <i>Hope</i>.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ZxQUo_hL2FQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZxQUo_hL2FQ?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span> <span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show">Elaine Toal, a new local talent kept us on the edge of our seats with, <i>Revisiting</i>. A lovely reading and I'm hoping to see more from Elaine.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GzFaPW3L8a4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GzFaPW3L8a4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show">All the way from Hungary, Csilla Toldy told the heartbreaking story, <i>The Joke</i>. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mTGFaJxCBRs/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mTGFaJxCBRs?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show">Malachi Kelly's story reminded us how far we have come in his heart-stopping reading of <i>One More</i>.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yw7QDTfN6Lc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yw7QDTfN6Lc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show">And finally, we had Peter Hollywood's beautifully crafted and emotive<i> After the conflict</i> with it's </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show">honest</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show"> and wry commentary about where we live today.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qY-eoC083AI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qY-eoC083AI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show">From the above video footage, I think you'll agree that each and every reader had the audience enthralled. You could hear a pin drop in a</span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show"> room </span></span><span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show">packed to the gills, where every table held cups and saucers, or glasses or plates and cutlery and yet silence fell and held its ground for each reading.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span> <span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show">It was simply a special evening and a great gathering of readers and listeners.</span></span><br />
<div class="font_6">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span></span> <span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show">Our next event is <a href="https://visitarmagh.com/festivals/food-cider/art-literature-in-the-orchards/flash-fiction-in-the-orchard/">Flash Fiction in the Orchard</a>, as part of the Armagh Food and Cider Festival. </span></span></div>
<div class="font_6">
<br /></div>
<div class="font_6">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show">20th September 2018 at 7pm at the <a href="http://www.armaghcider.com/">Armagh Cider Company</a>. </span></span></div>
<div class="font_6">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show">This time there's a small cover charge that includes snacks and cider tasting and tickets are available <a href="https://armagh-navancentre.ticketsolve.com/shows/873588612">here</a>.</span></span></div>
<div class="font_6">
<br /></div>
<div class="font_6">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="http://www.byddilee.com/flash-fiction-in-the-orchard">Submissions are now open</a> for this event until 20th August 2018. </span></span>Please email your 200 – 750-word submission within the body of your email (no attachments please) to byddi@hotmail.com. </div>
<div class="font_6">
<br /></div>
<div class="font_6">
If it's anything like that first two events, it promises to be a great night out.</div>
<div class="font_6">
<br /></div>
<div class="font_6">
Hopefully see you there.</div>
<div class="font_6">
<br /></div>
<div class="font_6">
Byddi</div>
<br />Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-52885793050378887592018-05-30T05:54:00.002-07:002018-05-30T05:54:36.239-07:00A Walk Around Seagahan Dam on a Summer's EveningMy heart is full and sure how could it not be? A warm summer's day in Ireland is a magical place.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBB1TYi0q9q8spV86i6nmR9BJmOULoqSf47Ld6ztEb-oBnyFacwg1iYh9VUKERTBLUnBCzWF0ul1jxAZKHdWMf9I9F_NhKjlGT-p8SGxHgudeq96Cn_n1alT0NRWFAzL9ej-j_4lWeqA/s1600/DSC_0104_01.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBB1TYi0q9q8spV86i6nmR9BJmOULoqSf47Ld6ztEb-oBnyFacwg1iYh9VUKERTBLUnBCzWF0ul1jxAZKHdWMf9I9F_NhKjlGT-p8SGxHgudeq96Cn_n1alT0NRWFAzL9ej-j_4lWeqA/s400/DSC_0104_01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The sunsets these past few days are like nothing I've ever experienced anywhere in the world. With the long evenings - sunset at 9.45pm - the sun takes a long amble to the horizon in tones of pink gold. Everyone is in great form and each greeting includes, "Lovely day, isn't it?" And a lovely day (or few days) it has been.<br />
<br />
The fields are bursting full of flowers...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yt8rHkaJIElyt8fRtqLYvpjEPlqrc6S992Mjq7X296Wx_MmSaiLjNjx5dQkqKlMuCLlr9BkZxr4Oxbl3yB2DW9K0x-_AomGn1_F4J6Sp-7BeWHU3rA0JFw0J7YRbHVzFV4VDWeZb-X0/s1600/DSC_0115_HDR.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yt8rHkaJIElyt8fRtqLYvpjEPlqrc6S992Mjq7X296Wx_MmSaiLjNjx5dQkqKlMuCLlr9BkZxr4Oxbl3yB2DW9K0x-_AomGn1_F4J6Sp-7BeWHU3rA0JFw0J7YRbHVzFV4VDWeZb-X0/s400/DSC_0115_HDR.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
...and cute baby animals.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy-XM89jgPmiL_WF-1ZMzWG4MqdlHegFpz68EOke1LQoNOHGyx_ST5NDGm2xyRG2-dzQKJ1qZruJTgmCEfktg4_YjKk1B7FugxTKpNnu-pTaMxz6p89w5gw7bhXdRM12qKNr_r9Un-H0/s1600/DSC_0149_HDR.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWy-XM89jgPmiL_WF-1ZMzWG4MqdlHegFpz68EOke1LQoNOHGyx_ST5NDGm2xyRG2-dzQKJ1qZruJTgmCEfktg4_YjKk1B7FugxTKpNnu-pTaMxz6p89w5gw7bhXdRM12qKNr_r9Un-H0/s400/DSC_0149_HDR.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And there's the mysterious headless horse of Ballymacnab!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1__Arn74IZ_6dTywEbbE0sEGHykIPCNfFxkgv8eK8UaZHWmfPkTDZmWVcSMB856KMXsy1ett8OFr4W5XAYpdKixkrjHZZ_HcWVOVjgE8ipJJsDdYC7R-HQ9r1PRpMmhp91IFD7fzFaQ/s1600/DSC_0094_HDR.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1__Arn74IZ_6dTywEbbE0sEGHykIPCNfFxkgv8eK8UaZHWmfPkTDZmWVcSMB856KMXsy1ett8OFr4W5XAYpdKixkrjHZZ_HcWVOVjgE8ipJJsDdYC7R-HQ9r1PRpMmhp91IFD7fzFaQ/s400/DSC_0094_HDR.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Okay, maybe this is a better angle of him, grazing contentedly under the full moon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-E5IfJ25EinLghsbTY1VTRZyU2TaXrf5gOfdrJGuoKSpxuZ2AKNgU2ZYy2S8foYK3tD3XtzadMnNo1f0tZOfOzKqWUpSJtI19pHG99OCf10gs9GfbBEPHCIagnu-3MKDo5IthCEAJZ4U/s1600/DSC_0091_02_HDR.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-E5IfJ25EinLghsbTY1VTRZyU2TaXrf5gOfdrJGuoKSpxuZ2AKNgU2ZYy2S8foYK3tD3XtzadMnNo1f0tZOfOzKqWUpSJtI19pHG99OCf10gs9GfbBEPHCIagnu-3MKDo5IthCEAJZ4U/s400/DSC_0091_02_HDR.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes, my heart is full of the joy of being home in Ireland on a warm summer day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFLPB82WE8RKtJwWgr1YjiEYH374rpUiGpH17Cf8LRup4T4gv3zFOYboFdnXPgXY7RsWCca32PfJ83SWL3o0nLvrf-QRj7-OmQS6a6djXqwlmpDdikwyXVm5rA4Wts2kvDdVrakRvSQc/s1600/DSC_0093_HDR.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglFLPB82WE8RKtJwWgr1YjiEYH374rpUiGpH17Cf8LRup4T4gv3zFOYboFdnXPgXY7RsWCca32PfJ83SWL3o0nLvrf-QRj7-OmQS6a6djXqwlmpDdikwyXVm5rA4Wts2kvDdVrakRvSQc/s400/DSC_0093_HDR.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On one such warm evening this week, we took a walk up around Seagahan Dam, a reservoir a few miles south of Armagh City that features in my new book.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbT2oUCIEGNjrInBarITINMVUnYLnqLleR9p5I8sLXR9ECWTzolPCJQjiyBNxKGFzFHjD8fRpDEVKtj8McYVJOOMKlFzdJlNIIyabGj8hT1tpGTec42TjvTKQ0IO66OtmBDuom_Zzi0Wk/s1600/DSC_0111_HDR.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbT2oUCIEGNjrInBarITINMVUnYLnqLleR9p5I8sLXR9ECWTzolPCJQjiyBNxKGFzFHjD8fRpDEVKtj8McYVJOOMKlFzdJlNIIyabGj8hT1tpGTec42TjvTKQ0IO66OtmBDuom_Zzi0Wk/s400/DSC_0111_HDR.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A new walkway allows a circuit of the dam. It's so peaceful, as night drops down, and the fishermen try to catch that last elusive big-guy lurking in the shallows. His advice to us - buy a rod! I must say I'm tempted...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Not only did we have a spectacular sunset but also a stunning moonrise. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiar_XPVE2BVwV7oLfVTTvwu4yr-q9lJfS5hGh3rOkFoVlqWpntAAVvjSKnvAyxwXrFGZnJlnFgNLf_XICJDfEBoPNRyywLhb0g0JE2X_AOvdLFHA5k-_NSpqsvfBF1O2IA1hVgrDDXAUc/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="679" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiar_XPVE2BVwV7oLfVTTvwu4yr-q9lJfS5hGh3rOkFoVlqWpntAAVvjSKnvAyxwXrFGZnJlnFgNLf_XICJDfEBoPNRyywLhb0g0JE2X_AOvdLFHA5k-_NSpqsvfBF1O2IA1hVgrDDXAUc/s640/DSC_0108.JPG" width="434" /></a></div>
<br />
And there was me travelling around the world, crying for the moon when all along it was here in our very own Armagh drinking water. Does moonshine come out of the taps here? I'd say there's the evidence for it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcw2DZVARpsRj157OuZ76G1zGNNVdbjGqU5Wzt-P44j1KCkJNfUpTEmXp0g2VcvPMKiOfDct94dU3E68J4sdTkqPW10BimHQVo1urFArdt33txeqmK9GT8R39vbfdXzoGCy_Lx3gFjrs/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcw2DZVARpsRj157OuZ76G1zGNNVdbjGqU5Wzt-P44j1KCkJNfUpTEmXp0g2VcvPMKiOfDct94dU3E68J4sdTkqPW10BimHQVo1urFArdt33txeqmK9GT8R39vbfdXzoGCy_Lx3gFjrs/s640/DSC_0161.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
Byddi Lee<br />
<br />Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-51971764787021982452018-05-26T02:12:00.000-07:002018-05-28T02:51:59.922-07:00Flash Fiction Armagh 14th June 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKGuNYZqLxip41ouW01Md5TWGIZD6Jc9EFCKJpAAJzRZJlWfmdEaFVM_55NKhSjpH1VnVJt4TMQHuGuOktOomSzJR1hqdoT_XTAZXbP1X5DJ1p8plOGwKRScggfuFCodDABqzarKCS34/s1600/FlashFictionArmagh2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="342" data-original-width="606" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKGuNYZqLxip41ouW01Md5TWGIZD6Jc9EFCKJpAAJzRZJlWfmdEaFVM_55NKhSjpH1VnVJt4TMQHuGuOktOomSzJR1hqdoT_XTAZXbP1X5DJ1p8plOGwKRScggfuFCodDABqzarKCS34/s400/FlashFictionArmagh2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Yes, it's happening again, with an exciting line up that includes a fabulous mix of new straight-out-of-the-wrapper talent alongside award-winning writers.<br />
<br />
Flash Fiction Armagh proudly presents the following writers at our Flash Fiction Armagh on Thursday 14th June 2018 at 7pm.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Maureen Boyle - Extract from "The work of a Winter"<br />Mairead Breen - "Cool customer"<br />Karen Mooney - "I didn’t feel the wasp sting"<br />Christopher Moore - "Yeats"<br />Máire Dinny Wren - "Scáile Dheirdre"</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="color: black;">Jude Alexzander - "Hope" </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show">Byddi Lee - "Beheaded"<br />Elaine Toal - "Revisiting"<br />Peter Hollywood - "After the conflict"<br />Malachi Kelly - "One More"<br />Csilla Toldy - "The Joke"<br />Kelly Creighton - Extract from her short story collection "Bank Holiday Hurricane"</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection">So please come along, listen and mingle at our next Flash Fiction Armagh as we spread the seeds of creativity far and wide.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTijDVRAANHdSywtp3-gZrayTcPh77JCqktbM8nY5FyA8qPEc8VivEPFe49qX5TjuuLs15RRgLD-VAgnMWeRRP2JwHlhGNeKhiurkwoguPtwRAXwFOZryl4eo7nS22kfze-2g1VoqSDD4/s1600/1526167876101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTijDVRAANHdSywtp3-gZrayTcPh77JCqktbM8nY5FyA8qPEc8VivEPFe49qX5TjuuLs15RRgLD-VAgnMWeRRP2JwHlhGNeKhiurkwoguPtwRAXwFOZryl4eo7nS22kfze-2g1VoqSDD4/s1600/1526167876101.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><br />
<span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection">A big thank you again to<a href="https://byddi.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/mulberry-great-place-to-eat-in-armagh.html"> Mulberry Bistro</a> for generously hosting the event in their gorgeous upstairs room allowing us to keep the event free.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection">If you'd like to see what it involves you can <a href="http://www.byddilee.com/flash-fiction-armagh">click here to see what happened the last time</a> we did this or simply come on down. Feel free to have a bite to eat beforehand (or even during the event). The staff of Mulberry cater to our every whim - try a nice relaxing glass of wine while you listen, or a cuppa tea and lovely tray bakes or even a full-on delicious meal! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection"> </span></span></span></span></span> </span></span>Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-67432636450236015662018-05-08T04:08:00.000-07:002018-05-08T04:09:03.901-07:00'Lion Hunting in ArmaghWhen I was a terrible-two my mother appealed to my abounding sense of adventure by inviting me to go lion hunting with her. Now, I can't remember the actual occasion but like those stories that our parents tell us of our early lives, I'd heard the tale so often, I nearly believe I can remember it! Picture the scene - My mother brings me, wild with excitement, to hunt lions, only for me to discover with disappointment and disgust that it was <i>dande</i>lion hunting. We were going no further than the front lawn armed only with a weeding tool!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_uYdnBcANk8YJW3c-iTUSdIAYImVSPxqo1HtHkPcgDepvIN6udxFAhyphenhyphenSXYcjPW9gV047_nBJ_xdUNPTcoxWUYCNfisgdK95Da2zvPlJLSyWFe79nIXI4O6hpm4EQ0LKlrF6DXepX2VA/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_uYdnBcANk8YJW3c-iTUSdIAYImVSPxqo1HtHkPcgDepvIN6udxFAhyphenhyphenSXYcjPW9gV047_nBJ_xdUNPTcoxWUYCNfisgdK95Da2zvPlJLSyWFe79nIXI4O6hpm4EQ0LKlrF6DXepX2VA/s400/DSC_0079.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
While it was a good introduction to the falsehoods of marketing, it didn't teach me to question other things she told me in me my early life. I grew up believing that she had once had a career riding horses in the circus and that she was good friends with the Harlem Globe Trotters. Yes, it's safe to say I inherited my imagination from my mother.<br />
<br />
But back to the 'lion hunting...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpdROqWpq9vSyVmJFWLF8TzmJBECqS23rr3ZObyG3_hgodQzkuJ1W0edW6rDGEe0ao0BZkU449_AoBPQ4KN788WBxijGPnmtH5P_3H3sm1CnFz4QIoUpmrNQEFIhdTbghJtTA4GUez9g/s1600/DSC_0077.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="772" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpdROqWpq9vSyVmJFWLF8TzmJBECqS23rr3ZObyG3_hgodQzkuJ1W0edW6rDGEe0ao0BZkU449_AoBPQ4KN788WBxijGPnmtH5P_3H3sm1CnFz4QIoUpmrNQEFIhdTbghJtTA4GUez9g/s640/DSC_0077.JPG" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />
The most valuable thing living abroad has gifted me is the ability to see this wonderful place where I grew up with new eyes. I'll admit to being quite evangelical about Armagh - you could say I'm a Born Again Armachian.<br />
<br />
I noticed something this year that I've never noticed before - how gorgeous the dandelions are.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_4YHovdDYokAMZqGviPO6d_p-tMiliTxmT0se_VHRenexmBlwsws5P-WbRFleWbEU04lDqza7ST2o7MRn5cVU4o3AOJnbYJTCPFlnMbEOJ6sW3G6uconvjV4IXbnsPmqxoYXenknQqw/s1600/DSC_0072.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="1000" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_4YHovdDYokAMZqGviPO6d_p-tMiliTxmT0se_VHRenexmBlwsws5P-WbRFleWbEU04lDqza7ST2o7MRn5cVU4o3AOJnbYJTCPFlnMbEOJ6sW3G6uconvjV4IXbnsPmqxoYXenknQqw/s400/DSC_0072.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
They're everywhere in a glorious blaze of yellow as if transporting the sun's rays from beyond the clouds to shine from our lawns, fields and roadsides.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjJdORH_ExBjSl3TUkwampSbOyWV7m52AWZ0TatNnVT7ZUA-kT2zyLGowErrrRV3sD-HZDnpgpl-G81qwxQQ9QCccohhnkvij6MEIIdiTEpjxfTOY7WUZhSCXOrbC_VewdZrAx584azo/s1600/DSC_0060.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="645" data-original-width="1000" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVjJdORH_ExBjSl3TUkwampSbOyWV7m52AWZ0TatNnVT7ZUA-kT2zyLGowErrrRV3sD-HZDnpgpl-G81qwxQQ9QCccohhnkvij6MEIIdiTEpjxfTOY7WUZhSCXOrbC_VewdZrAx584azo/s400/DSC_0060.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm so happy to see they haven't been sprayed with weedkiller and that some councils seem to be encouraging their growth on the grass verges - or is this just a delightful side effect of having no government and no money spent on local infrastructure?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bQ-KvLOQCmgCsxTnBfpNovmxQq_t_6tNI_ZTUa7FmdkEdR1Xp5ByWWlL-sM4sjgOkEGoIwAHMD6mSXH1-8Kn3Y67UUdJ0jDzw2YKL-03fFn7zBHTKI-gUbLIAmk0iGuxLCxZLPIPN3Q/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bQ-KvLOQCmgCsxTnBfpNovmxQq_t_6tNI_ZTUa7FmdkEdR1Xp5ByWWlL-sM4sjgOkEGoIwAHMD6mSXH1-8Kn3Y67UUdJ0jDzw2YKL-03fFn7zBHTKI-gUbLIAmk0iGuxLCxZLPIPN3Q/s400/DSC_0069.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Whatever it is I say let the 'lions roar!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaW-2Irnpyw1j1VF7pYPFeM3R3pSbIuuo83bfnaelyUf0m2evNBbqaVksynzz9gD0kmZo08x_EjTNfx38DmFSwiSYYwtt3vxcJRN3FienzSNmCuAWOeZY1t8mzfPp5CuFAvr8P177d_Qg/s1600/IMG_20180502_153823%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1318" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaW-2Irnpyw1j1VF7pYPFeM3R3pSbIuuo83bfnaelyUf0m2evNBbqaVksynzz9gD0kmZo08x_EjTNfx38DmFSwiSYYwtt3vxcJRN3FienzSNmCuAWOeZY1t8mzfPp5CuFAvr8P177d_Qg/s640/IMG_20180502_153823%257E2.jpg" width="526" /></a></div>
<br />
Many folk believe dandelions to be weeds but I promise you they are much more than that. <a href="http://www.mofga.org/Default.aspx?tabid=756">Click here of a great summary of facts about dandelions</a>.<br />
<br />
<ol>
</ol>
<u><b>Dandelions are food for bees.</b></u><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLFOog3p_LMKevl503wz_kaRfa9hrFUHFyYayLXlFec3DgJ0h4g8QsgE3_NbJvO2mXc47W9TH1gi3EPldQv45RrvHTZNG7piZUoN3mpknRJZHNuCvf7hUYozjptk915jGKKTvrx5jrIA/s1600/IMG_20180502_153854%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1295" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLFOog3p_LMKevl503wz_kaRfa9hrFUHFyYayLXlFec3DgJ0h4g8QsgE3_NbJvO2mXc47W9TH1gi3EPldQv45RrvHTZNG7piZUoN3mpknRJZHNuCvf7hUYozjptk915jGKKTvrx5jrIA/s640/IMG_20180502_153854%257E2.jpg" width="518" /></a></div>
<br />
Dandelions are among the first flowers to blossom after the winter and provide a food source. It's not the richest food for the bees but it breaks their fast and saves them from starving. For more information check out these links:<br />
<br />
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gardening-blog/2015/may/12/dandelions-pollinators-wildlife-garden<br />
<ol>
</ol>
<u><b>Dandelions are food for humans.</b></u><br />
<u><b><br /></b></u>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIJKbWN4jcv0NiHFK8NgcGXe6H2g-kOgUG0H37MSLinL3_pYeYcjOYVZV1h60cFKXQfLrkmjDZAxF6-5bWFXtUTKx8Mt0JpFYB0ecAxgdeW9-sQ1P6ox1MjUMyGxMx32z6K3Ggnekync/s1600/DSC_0037_HDR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIJKbWN4jcv0NiHFK8NgcGXe6H2g-kOgUG0H37MSLinL3_pYeYcjOYVZV1h60cFKXQfLrkmjDZAxF6-5bWFXtUTKx8Mt0JpFYB0ecAxgdeW9-sQ1P6ox1MjUMyGxMx32z6K3Ggnekync/s640/DSC_0037_HDR.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dandelions in foreground - rapeseed crop in background. The Irish landscape creating it's own sunshine! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Dandelions are edible and even have <a href="https://draxe.com/dandelion-tea/">health benefits</a>. You can make medicinal teas, pesto, salads and even wine (yay!) Here's a few links to some recipes:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.theyrenotourgoats.com/in-the-kitchen/fried-dandelion-heads/?hc_location=ufi">Fried dandelion heads</a> (Imagine telling your two-year-old you're eating 'lion heads for dinner!)<br />
<a href="http://www.pixiespocket.com/2015/04/dandelion-ginger-wine.html">Dandelion ginger wine</a> (For the grown-ups!)<br />
<a href="https://learningandyearning.com/dandelion-pesto">Dandelion pesto</a> <br />
<br />
<ol>
</ol>
<u><b>Dandelions are good for your lawn.</b></u><br />
<u><b><br /></b></u>
This surprised me the most but makes sense - dandelions help the lawn in at least two ways.<br />
<ol>
<li>The strong and deep taproots break up the solid, aerating it.</li>
<li>The same deep roots pull minerals up to the surface layers thus helping to fertilize it.</li>
</ol>
Mowing the lawn won't damage your dandelions too much. It may even promote another show of blooms. Just don't use weed killer...that <i>will</i> kill your dandelions.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
To think that we travelled for miles last summer to see fields of lavender flowers in Provence and here on our doorstep we have equally beautiful sights that most of us don't even appreciate. Watch too for the gorgeous rapeseed fields. I noticed the delicious fragrance when I hoped out of the car to snap this shot. Gorgeous all round.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiES5Z5_F1yuSMGoR_O3hzR7rne9h1m_IkqWp7oz_R3snH3lMIllHhtBDzV2aIZl7Zt_rNIGpvj9YnzjlXxXcS-AIh1Ub_LbfwCBGUkpxnch3Ix8u9M-CjJmBQK0xir8PTqHeajfZp7_h8/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiES5Z5_F1yuSMGoR_O3hzR7rne9h1m_IkqWp7oz_R3snH3lMIllHhtBDzV2aIZl7Zt_rNIGpvj9YnzjlXxXcS-AIh1Ub_LbfwCBGUkpxnch3Ix8u9M-CjJmBQK0xir8PTqHeajfZp7_h8/s400/DSC_0031.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<ol>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Byddi Lee<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-22214705514435812022018-04-10T01:35:00.001-07:002018-04-10T04:55:50.689-07:00A Decade in Time - A Drop in the Ocean of EternityThis time ten years ago I sat by my father's bedside as the final pages of the closing chapter of his life unfolded.<br />
<br />
He died just before dawn. Even in my loss, the new day felt like a gift to me. Dawn was his favourite part of the day, holding a promise of fresh starts and new beginnings. For him, that day, death was a new beginning in the afterlife. For the next ten years, I found myself revisiting the image of him ready to greet me when it comes to my turn to take the same Great Voyage. I imagine him standing with a smile lighting his features as soon as he spots me, the way his face brightened when he'd meet me at the airport, returning from my travels. But I didn't have to go that far away - I'd get the same great big smile upon him opening the front door when I called to visit. Even now, I relive the bear hug he'd give me, bring his scent to the front of my mind, listen for his voice saying my name, and try not to be afraid of the swell of grief that accompanies the joy of those memories.<br />
<br />
As I work on setting up my new house back in my old hometown, I wonder what he'd make of the last ten years.<br />
<br />
It's been a decade of huge change for me, my family, Armagh, Ireland - north and south, and the whole world...<br />
<br />
I would love to hear his take on it and in the quiet moments, if I still my mind and think of him, I can guess his side of our conversation. Like the time I sent my sister a birthday letter from him using my technique for writing character dialogue...<br />
<br />
And it occurs to me...<br />
<br />
We are as much a part of each other now as we were when he was alive. He was the first great love of my life in the way only a daughter can love and hero worship a father, especially a father like mine. In a world where women are often undervalued, he showed me I was worthy and valued. He told me that in spite of being a woman, I could do anything.<br />
<br />
It was my mother who taught me it was because I was a woman I could do anything!<br />
But he was a man ahead of his time. In touch with his feeling and always ready to have a good ole heart-to-heart. He was wise and kind and full of good humour. I was a woman lucky to have had him as my father. And I still have him as my father, for no matter where I am, he's in my heart. <br />
<br />
It's been a quare decade Dad... You loved the world back then and took the good with the bad all in your stride and I think you'd be exactly the same with how things are now. Making the best of all the new technology and cursing it at the same time! I'm sorry you missed having your own Facebook page but sure if it makes you feel any better, Mum doesn't have one either. But I'm pretty sure this would have been your profile pic - at least for a while!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvGn6eatrEqukj_775CtjTCvglINCFPSlFw5He7X1njSdmAc9DnIocRIQw_OjjTmS8LB1tqzUQIV2UI9ZjQ9tXXq1a7g0pGhzZtXhL9u1dDsry9x8pBrwHNemuGTj2Ym6tI5UurqPsoU/s1600/PatrickHospital00041.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1543" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvGn6eatrEqukj_775CtjTCvglINCFPSlFw5He7X1njSdmAc9DnIocRIQw_OjjTmS8LB1tqzUQIV2UI9ZjQ9tXXq1a7g0pGhzZtXhL9u1dDsry9x8pBrwHNemuGTj2Ym6tI5UurqPsoU/s320/PatrickHospital00041.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Father proudly holding his first grandchild "fresh out of the wrapper"!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
We'll keep trying (in vain) not to miss you because I know you don't want us to be sad.<br />
<br />
Thank you for being you and always letting me be me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Love you forever, Daddy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Byddi LeeByddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-2073782571936123752018-03-27T07:35:00.000-07:002018-03-27T07:35:25.335-07:00Time Travel at the Armagh Museum A good friend recently put me in touch with Sean Barden, at the <a href="https://visitarmagh.com/places-to-explore/armagh-county-museum/">Armagh County Museum</a> when I expressed an interest in writing some short stories set in the past and based on actual events in history. We discussed how objects from the past had their own stories, and I was invited to come down to the museum to see the temporary exhibit they have at the moment entitled <i>Telling People's Stories for 80 Years.</i><br />
<br />
"You might remember Humpy the camel from Lenox's," he said.<br />
<i> </i><br />
"Oh my God, you have Humpy the camel!" I clapped my hands with delight.<br />
<br />
Apparently, I wasn't the only one who had reacted like that.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyJUqZEMQZASaRiEdcEzM1VaQj_bL4YiI0gvN_CwA8AtPRJMTWNd-DUURBuETi6TIR-TlNXGXfS75f_KBXk6OtiNuEDbwxCDyt5zqpirjb0j6TeEz07hLOst0W-O7FLLadgS8ljCgdpE/s1600/Humpy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyJUqZEMQZASaRiEdcEzM1VaQj_bL4YiI0gvN_CwA8AtPRJMTWNd-DUURBuETi6TIR-TlNXGXfS75f_KBXk6OtiNuEDbwxCDyt5zqpirjb0j6TeEz07hLOst0W-O7FLLadgS8ljCgdpE/s400/Humpy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph courtesy of the Armagh County Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Every Armagh child who ever went into <a href="https://youtu.be/hO31yipykQM">Lennox's Department Store</a> knew Humpy. He was one of those coin-operated rides that made children beg their parents for the money to take a ride that lasted a fraction of the time it took to procure the funding - a lesson for life indeed!<br />
<br />
I loved how Humpy looked - he wasn't humpy by nature - his face molded and painted in a friendly smile, his legs in a perpetual gallop. And he hadn't changed one bit when I spotted him in The Armagh County Museum. In fact, it was all I could do to stop myself from patting his nose, now worn bare of paint from years of people doing the same. Since I had my museum manners on, I quashed the urge to throw my arms around his neck and whisper, "Take me away!"<br />
<br />
The museum has 3 temporary exhibit areas and at the moment all three are being used. We took a walk through the exhibit, <i>Eye in the Sky</i> - a display of aerial photographs from a time long before we could send a drone up for such snaps. It's fascinating to see familiar landscapes from that angle and era. I could happily spend more time browsing these - oh, but when would we have another rainy afternoon here in Armagh to do such things?<br />
<br />
Humpy is one of forty objects as the signage at the museum explains...<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Version>12.00</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/>
<w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/>
<w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/>
<w:Word11KerningPairs/>
<w:CachedColBalance/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB">"Armagh
County Museum – Telling people’s stories for 80 years.</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Armagh Natural History & Philosophical
Society moved their museum into this building in 1856. However it would be
another 60 years before the county museum was born.</span></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">When Armagh County Council took over the
premises in 1930 and Council Secretary T.E. Reid was influential in getting
local historian T.G.F. Paterson appointed as Honorary Curator. Paterson spent
the next seven years building up a collection relevant to the history of the
area and disposing of many of the Philosophical Society’s more unusual
‘curiosities’.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-GB"></span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">Armagh County Museum officially opened on
28 April 1937 and was the first dedicated county museum in Ireland.</span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span lang="EN-GB">To mark its 80<sup>th</sup> year we have
chosen a selection of objects from the collection that tell the stories of
people who have lived, worked and been associated with the Orchard County over the
past 9,000 years."</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
A helpful booklet is provided that tells a little about what is known about each object (numbered for easy referencing) and I invite you to fill in the rest with your imagination.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TRhn3UPLeu-mo7g3RmcigSVVQcmBcSUBj4dEaeysuIKioDw-fsQWzrS78HCrHxSgRMAgl3qSx82g5Wia3WCsqrIVMjc0ZUNyPSSvAR5-m-Bd_0hjI7cp9eanb5wiljBDHc-IzWTJRzQ/s1600/skull-and-head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="1500" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TRhn3UPLeu-mo7g3RmcigSVVQcmBcSUBj4dEaeysuIKioDw-fsQWzrS78HCrHxSgRMAgl3qSx82g5Wia3WCsqrIVMjc0ZUNyPSSvAR5-m-Bd_0hjI7cp9eanb5wiljBDHc-IzWTJRzQ/s400/skull-and-head.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph courtesy of the Armagh County Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Take item number 6, for example. A human skull and reconstructed head. Who was that man?<br />
<br />
We can see the hole in his skull, so no medals for guessing how he died.We are told that it was between 1000 and 1300AD and that he was aged between 25 and 35. The skull was found without a body during a dig in Market Street, which would suggest that he was decapitated.<br />
<br />
Did his head roll into a ditch? Was a loved one left to wonder where that person (or even worse just the head) was until the end of their days? Was he a bad person? Had he deserved this end? Or is this the heartbreaking story of a man viciously wronged? Does his ghost still walk Market Street?<br />
<br />
Beside the skull is a reconstructed model of what that man might have looked like. He was handsome and young.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY2edDhDe4qxuUCDVU2-zsdyhy-dBV6QEy1VgYBcg34KSiDScIwXajt2lVG6Hh5BBi8cmtQ2-SBtGr5owWoF61o4p_JdzeRLeVckpw2i2LW2TsdG6ss190actcY2Ot4fgE3Bi791KlKo/s1600/ARMCM.68.1960_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1481" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuY2edDhDe4qxuUCDVU2-zsdyhy-dBV6QEy1VgYBcg34KSiDScIwXajt2lVG6Hh5BBi8cmtQ2-SBtGr5owWoF61o4p_JdzeRLeVckpw2i2LW2TsdG6ss190actcY2Ot4fgE3Bi791KlKo/s640/ARMCM.68.1960_2.JPG" width="592" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph courtesy of the Armagh County Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The little patch box (number 17), though tiny, spoke of much bigger issues. This little box was used to hold the beauty spots that women wore on their faces. If you read the pamphlet that accompanies the exhibit you'll learn from the clues on the container that this may have been quite the radical item to receive or gift to a secret lover perhaps! Find out more yourself at the museum.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFnaj7Pc7ttWcn8y6nji0yhy7zXEgbynBZ56I96QoDxTTr1V8q-p-QlWG6YF_Uh4Yp1Y_ki1Wjcl5yxqs72ZTHMyZcGdG-EL6V_mxlGFeHuAXvGK2JraCqlQhQ-Jk2_fAlgSZPUceC6k/s1600/ARMCM.16.1942_002-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1600" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcFnaj7Pc7ttWcn8y6nji0yhy7zXEgbynBZ56I96QoDxTTr1V8q-p-QlWG6YF_Uh4Yp1Y_ki1Wjcl5yxqs72ZTHMyZcGdG-EL6V_mxlGFeHuAXvGK2JraCqlQhQ-Jk2_fAlgSZPUceC6k/s400/ARMCM.16.1942_002-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph courtesy of the Armagh County Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Object numbered 8 is a stick pin found in a garden in Callan street. Linger a moment here. Focus in on the head of the pin and examine the fine detail.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_F0nBNaE7s2gJZwR81cvUlwZB1wmIXQurzbrmnL4evw1NKmhdXOmxYR69e_mUrPENY2h0bpPb2X981eXers5y6u7O-rLGzRmksb3y0ZXUXRBl1zmcg2Qp72x1Pv10y6czDfFMUgBfhlY/s1600/ARMCM.16.1942_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1209" data-original-width="1500" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_F0nBNaE7s2gJZwR81cvUlwZB1wmIXQurzbrmnL4evw1NKmhdXOmxYR69e_mUrPENY2h0bpPb2X981eXers5y6u7O-rLGzRmksb3y0ZXUXRBl1zmcg2Qp72x1Pv10y6czDfFMUgBfhlY/s400/ARMCM.16.1942_003.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph courtesy of the Armagh County Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Who took the time to make this and why spend so much time on tiny details that many might overlook?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRS34V1Pz3QUh89gJ18mvO76QLXGW9id16TxXNI_WZ4Rbmwa9-t-8HWv_JRWnB9p1z0Z0tIa5LT8-ayaCtNCgRGWfIKqdIzfdq57brfgqlNbXv_a0sNeoiNoRSxRzA8_WTeYCx7VAzdgI/s1600/ARMCM.16.1942_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1500" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRS34V1Pz3QUh89gJ18mvO76QLXGW9id16TxXNI_WZ4Rbmwa9-t-8HWv_JRWnB9p1z0Z0tIa5LT8-ayaCtNCgRGWfIKqdIzfdq57brfgqlNbXv_a0sNeoiNoRSxRzA8_WTeYCx7VAzdgI/s400/ARMCM.16.1942_004.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph courtesy of the Armagh County Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I like the idea that this workmanship did pay off, that somehow the craftsman in the afterlife knows that we are still admiring his work.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiD3iDu4bqTFx8pJQzyvM0dK6MGkHBgmdT2YrFwDXWp-jFXqouMq1dpXFzhHbIRZi8Ew0vOROEnhMkDFyUkfQ1YJdnxifNcdlq3VtNFOmtxr4dvhaOwcgmF_l70ieN6Fz3BJ9D_halsQ/s1600/ARMCM.16.1942_005-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1354" data-original-width="1600" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBiD3iDu4bqTFx8pJQzyvM0dK6MGkHBgmdT2YrFwDXWp-jFXqouMq1dpXFzhHbIRZi8Ew0vOROEnhMkDFyUkfQ1YJdnxifNcdlq3VtNFOmtxr4dvhaOwcgmF_l70ieN6Fz3BJ9D_halsQ/s400/ARMCM.16.1942_005-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph courtesy of the Armagh County Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
These are but four objects in the exhibition - each if the others gave pause for thought in a similar way. It was so wonderful to get time away from the desk, from the screen (phone, tv, computer) and just have a look at real things. The museum is free in and a great change of pace. Often we don't appreciate the treasures on our own doorstep and the Armagh County Museum really is one.<br />
<br />
For me, the biggest revelation was learning the true purpose of a museum. While viewing bronze axes for the story I was researching, I commented on how good it would be to have a bigger museum to display more of the objects in storage. I was surprised when told that although a larger museum would be great, the ultimate aim was not to put every item in the collection on display. Actually, when objects are in storage it is easier to control their environment and thus preserve them better. <br />
<br />
The job of a museum is not in fact to display everything it has collected but to keep that collection safe. Storerooms are not just some "dusty oul' sheds" somewhere. Museum storage is working storage, accessible storage where each object is easy to find. Even when in storage each object is there for anyone who wants to look at it. A museum is essentially a collections resource centre, a library of objects. The Armagh County Museum has been collecting objects for 80 years and some of these objects date back as far as 9000 years ago.<br />
<br />
It is not about restoring an object either - this implies that you are changing the object. It's about making the object stable - taking a snapshot of time then trying to preserve the past - making time stand still. I joked with Sean telling him he was, in fact, a time lord - Armagh's very own Doctor Who!<br />
<br />
A tour of the stores had me fascinated. It was so tidy and clean and - joy of joys - labelled! A clutterphobes heaven in an oxymoronic way. The museum has an ongoing project to photograph everything it holds - like the stick pin. If you were doing a project, the museum will let you use their photos - all the photos on this post have been supplied by the museum. They are much better than anything I could take.<br />
<br />
I learned something eye-opening on that visit - the museum is for more than browsing on a rainy day (though that's cool too.) But if you wanted to research anything that has its roots in the past the museum is the place to go. Sean made me laugh out loud with his next truism - "It's about getting past the posh frocks and the stuffed fox..."<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgV7RMM_RrFgk8E_Y-ATfb8yJw63ThncgXxXAKzlwWb-UPuFHt1tBWiO87baCXezCjwBRVMqM-Gi8aV8pGThnyUFdaxIxtFG-35N5mQ9DY0E6HPi8HsvePHVcPWLBasHXuWt2m3u9pPg/s1600/_DSC6862-Edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgV7RMM_RrFgk8E_Y-ATfb8yJw63ThncgXxXAKzlwWb-UPuFHt1tBWiO87baCXezCjwBRVMqM-Gi8aV8pGThnyUFdaxIxtFG-35N5mQ9DY0E6HPi8HsvePHVcPWLBasHXuWt2m3u9pPg/s400/_DSC6862-Edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photograph courtesy of the Armagh County Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So do yourself a favour, tear yourself away from your screens and get down there - in person - to have a poke through moments in time. <br />
<br />
On Saturday 31st March 2018 they are having a Family Fun Day and there will be owls - live owls! For more information click this link - <a href="https://visitarmagh.com/whatson/easter-family-fun-at-the-museum/">https://visitarmagh.com/whatson/easter-family-fun-at-the-museum/</a><br />
<br />
Maybe see you down there on Saturday.<br />
<br />
Byddi Lee<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i></i>Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-35214660100500182922018-03-24T05:36:00.001-07:002018-03-29T14:04:56.012-07:00Flash Fiction Armagh – The First of Many…<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was young, I thought that all things literature were boring and decidedly stuffy. Many people, having suffered through Shakespeare and Thomas Hardy at school, still think like that about the literary world but Flash Fiction Armagh turned that idea completely on its head!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eleven talented writers wowed the socks <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">off</span> the audience in the upstairs room of Mulberry Bistro in Armagh.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me begin <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">by</span> describing the gorgeous venue. Mulberry Bistro is in an old but beautifully restored listed building right across the road from one of Armagh’s cathedrals. Decorated in a simple rustic fashion, touches of glamour such as crystal chandelier light fittings and plush velvet seating in a range of fun <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">colours</span> add the right amount of pop.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
R<i><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">éamonn </span></i>Ó Ciaráin, author of <i>Cúchulainn, Ulster’s Greatest Hero, </i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">and co-host of Flash Fiction Armagh was already there when I arrived to set up for the evening. Mulberry handed over their upstairs room, offering to move chairs and tables into any configuration we wanted – they were happy to let us complete rearrange the room to suit our needs. It didn’t take long – the place already the perfect venue. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The Cathedral, lit up as night fell, looking in the windows at us as people arrived. It was pure Armagh – looking beautiful and majestic. My home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">All the writers arrived on time and to our great <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">delight,</span> the audience filled the room. The table closest to the mic the only one with no takers – people hate sitting at the front!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QZkyxHyjKkHOwDYCLqwMnzKdJgMm66qKnCoATvmdF-8pOFoo8_cmud7Go4Q8RbWliF-DVouAAPXyTN42vyLrKe3X59LS1I-oap-CPkl6hlofszaHaS2309KFg6smHJJqB9lIJTBDSio/s1600/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+20+38+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QZkyxHyjKkHOwDYCLqwMnzKdJgMm66qKnCoATvmdF-8pOFoo8_cmud7Go4Q8RbWliF-DVouAAPXyTN42vyLrKe3X59LS1I-oap-CPkl6hlofszaHaS2309KFg6smHJJqB9lIJTBDSio/s400/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+20+38+14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">None of us had expected such a good turnout, but Mulberry Bistro rose to the occasion feeding and watering everyone as needed. Nerves had prevented me from having a big dinner but a tasty caramel square and a coffee set me up. All in and settled, it was time for our first reader.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicac_-O88MxPinUgDGwTgsNrQF4qAFTnUwKA6_4e9uJ-K1jRTz6yxRZxLuaRT2dhxhWhjFh_MXfy-1jT_1WNoiwhbiBOHUo-xMvTGaKNX26-HBwuoP7wHXhpGWHs1Vw6BNNoqzZSyMeqc/s1600/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+19+23+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicac_-O88MxPinUgDGwTgsNrQF4qAFTnUwKA6_4e9uJ-K1jRTz6yxRZxLuaRT2dhxhWhjFh_MXfy-1jT_1WNoiwhbiBOHUo-xMvTGaKNX26-HBwuoP7wHXhpGWHs1Vw6BNNoqzZSyMeqc/s640/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+19+23+17.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Local writer, Jay Faulker got us off to a great start with his story <i>Rain, </i>an emotive account of a firefighter’s attempts to save two little boys from drowning. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ljggr2SOJGY/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ljggr2SOJGY?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Brilliantly told, I knew the story would strike a cord when I’d read it during the selection process and I wasn’t disappointed. I could actually see members of the audience relax into the evening as they listened – none of us had known exactly how this venture would go, but as Jay read I knew we’d done something right.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzna9a5zMOch23URYfyGP7dxTqdXmYlGk8Wv4lj6sGHpsu9ieCMHSsw1rmGiUzwVVkkJdNbdMNIx2y6Lyyp8AcARtbSNeHFdFl-U3XnyRA5OFkssmF2BhpElQf5mBCAbU6F4ezsaBfL4g/s1600/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+20+58+56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzna9a5zMOch23URYfyGP7dxTqdXmYlGk8Wv4lj6sGHpsu9ieCMHSsw1rmGiUzwVVkkJdNbdMNIx2y6Lyyp8AcARtbSNeHFdFl-U3XnyRA5OFkssmF2BhpElQf5mBCAbU6F4ezsaBfL4g/s640/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+20+58+56.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christopher Moore from <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Broughshane</span> enthralled us with the magic of his piece <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dark Hedges.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KhGABDzp0Qc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KhGABDzp0Qc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
I particularly loved his hints at a magical other world and felt that he’d claimed those hedges back from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Game of Thrones</i> and made them ours again. His mastery of language and sense of flow captured our interest and imagination, bringing some solace after the intense drama of the first piece.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRGyyjDXcooe1da1QVuvt3iX-rVwf1wz9Ldolk_G1ABdAU8c-vRQQ6HpBKZyYVto-K54hxxUEtlneWdxVjS9eoBzoPZ-gASeWe-wVOhyphenhyphenP4duSVeCJLT5wS1069STteEC7kgKLQHZEpbw/s1600/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+19+34+59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRGyyjDXcooe1da1QVuvt3iX-rVwf1wz9Ldolk_G1ABdAU8c-vRQQ6HpBKZyYVto-K54hxxUEtlneWdxVjS9eoBzoPZ-gASeWe-wVOhyphenhyphenP4duSVeCJLT5wS1069STteEC7kgKLQHZEpbw/s640/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+19+34+59.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Réaltán Ní Leannáin from Belfast via Dublin read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dílis</i>,<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9lWbMTwYEM8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9lWbMTwYEM8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
...expertly switching from between the Irish and English languages so that everyone could enjoy and appreciate the zesty humour in her story about a little protestant girl so enamoured with the holy communion dresses the little catholic girls are wearing that she begs her mother to let her be a <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Catholic</span> – just for a day! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Réaltán left us all with smiles on our faces.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nbd4Drj6aqrxoQatj1C_cl_NhJ-suILgDf-WhzHYRfuW27LXp0SPc4PAgDDHeWN3MuoV4MnWYDEu0hXGVWHHxq2L5CRkO7K8yWtBunRmk7iS8z79QCRGBuLdgfVSjdMNsZu0NO95-4Y/s1600/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+19+40+09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nbd4Drj6aqrxoQatj1C_cl_NhJ-suILgDf-WhzHYRfuW27LXp0SPc4PAgDDHeWN3MuoV4MnWYDEu0hXGVWHHxq2L5CRkO7K8yWtBunRmk7iS8z79QCRGBuLdgfVSjdMNsZu0NO95-4Y/s640/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+19+40+09.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Keady man, Damien Mallon read a selection of his poems that were such a hit he sold out of his book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reading the Trees, </i>at the intermission!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/GyafYaoIvJo/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GyafYaoIvJo?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
His combination of humour, sensitivity and vivid imagery took us through awkward encounters at <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">parent-teacher</span> meetings, wistful reminiscing at graveyard Sunday and a walk through Carnagh woods such that you felt you were there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozqEiYXz0cJ2UtCp1Hp8s0ZcedfL7fAaAVSgNt_rjf-44HzYX8b8Ga82yHS9hA2b7SxDcq7V6JpobN5JG-zIK_uRtRkKav9qS_HTc_yKhP78xJ1zWhUQaKf90AYJeuNOVIFrhGM_NR_o/s1600/vlcsnap-6298-02-13-06h14m56s457.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozqEiYXz0cJ2UtCp1Hp8s0ZcedfL7fAaAVSgNt_rjf-44HzYX8b8Ga82yHS9hA2b7SxDcq7V6JpobN5JG-zIK_uRtRkKav9qS_HTc_yKhP78xJ1zWhUQaKf90AYJeuNOVIFrhGM_NR_o/s400/vlcsnap-6298-02-13-06h14m56s457.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Donegal/Derry writer Pamela Brown’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mansfield House</i> was so skillfully rendered that it made the audience chuckle in places then fall pin-drop silent with emotion in others.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ih6z4TmH2Do/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ih6z4TmH2Do?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
This story pulled us in, led us <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">around</span> a blind corner then smacked home some tough but unavoidable truths. Engaging and honest, Pamela pulled no punches and we were richer for it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo-oZ49Ab3PvobLExukVsJwiQ6k8zNzlwQfOE6Ik_POhqwOigEkw-9qLE7n61irH3K_EfLRH54SzOo2OaSu4rn3k6wr4-8eK0-0vorL2xlWk2Bqdpgqi_tuONzVCaUAOI6_7ThQFm7tc/s1600/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+20+57+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo-oZ49Ab3PvobLExukVsJwiQ6k8zNzlwQfOE6Ik_POhqwOigEkw-9qLE7n61irH3K_EfLRH54SzOo2OaSu4rn3k6wr4-8eK0-0vorL2xlWk2Bqdpgqi_tuONzVCaUAOI6_7ThQFm7tc/s640/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+20+57+03.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before going into the break R<i><span style="font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">éamonn </span></i>Ó Ciaráin from Armagh read from <i>Laoch na Laochra</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> a book in modern Ulster Irish about Cúchulainn...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FiNNEl5XF24/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiNNEl5XF24?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> ...and followed that with reading the corresponding passage from the <a href="http://byddi.blogspot.co.uk/2018/02/cuchulainn-ulsters-greatest-hero-by.html">English Language version</a></span><a href="http://byddi.blogspot.co.uk/2018/02/cuchulainn-ulsters-greatest-hero-by.html"> <i>Cúchulainn, Ulster’s Greatest Hero</i></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FMjQFwoSpU8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FMjQFwoSpU8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">In both languages, the power of the writing and the story it carried shone through. We headed into the intermission filled with wonder and awe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">People mingled, bought books, congratulated readers and the general atmosphere was a delightful hub-bub though I wondered how I’d ever get everyone settled back down again for the second half. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEtN1mZbWiFtC3FjkIAyjwGh2O1TOJIJPhvZSb4HH47uRyQCqNYLp0Y9orwtlpvtcr3GmuXPlxgpMN8Yn_uulBvB22wpGtYVhmwHaXS1V-ODB1CWIqkWm458NgEHZer5Go7WVW5evNsU/s1600/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+20+29+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEtN1mZbWiFtC3FjkIAyjwGh2O1TOJIJPhvZSb4HH47uRyQCqNYLp0Y9orwtlpvtcr3GmuXPlxgpMN8Yn_uulBvB22wpGtYVhmwHaXS1V-ODB1CWIqkWm458NgEHZer5Go7WVW5evNsU/s640/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+20+29+14.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">No need to worry – so the <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">15-minute</span> break drifted into 25 minutes – soon everyone was ready to listen to Trish Bennett from Enniskillen read <i>Power of a Peeler. </i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yRZ2EYn6ums/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yRZ2EYn6ums?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Her entertaining performance provoked belly laughs from her audience as she explained how important a certain kitchen utensil was to her and her extended family. She even produced the subject of the story to gales of laughter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i2nsKlFpFxGKs5UG16CBBkBzarLgq00sZC-QJcmKIRyE_VimppRUcDOL1GLZYruQgtHy_8homqw9OCIQfdBOw2JVd1JjHyW_HHn0ueoJrfhjG0Seeb9qPgadt1m-ueEU6sq_oweeZIw/s1600/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+20+34+50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i2nsKlFpFxGKs5UG16CBBkBzarLgq00sZC-QJcmKIRyE_VimppRUcDOL1GLZYruQgtHy_8homqw9OCIQfdBOw2JVd1JjHyW_HHn0ueoJrfhjG0Seeb9qPgadt1m-ueEU6sq_oweeZIw/s640/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+20+34+50.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Lisburn writer Karen Mooney’s <i>A Fond Farewell</i> moved every person in the room with her emotive piece remembering her father.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/9zh_Y_D3uXE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9zh_Y_D3uXE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The words beautiful and heartfelt dripped upon a captive audience like honey from a spoon, sorrowful yet soothing. When she finished, the momentary silence was as much an accolade at the spontaneous applause that followed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZZgHaIfMuyXLDcrxHlnYvfEbZqNG4jQWorAq6Y8FsrBMtz2QZ5E05FHJ8qwcxxX12vxw9AyCUs7RjnGrUlygIInbuxHGCRe27UMjQu0yTnKLXarixqgBc2_RAxrXQU9piWkCoEkW5d0/s1600/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+20+39+42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheZZgHaIfMuyXLDcrxHlnYvfEbZqNG4jQWorAq6Y8FsrBMtz2QZ5E05FHJ8qwcxxX12vxw9AyCUs7RjnGrUlygIInbuxHGCRe27UMjQu0yTnKLXarixqgBc2_RAxrXQU9piWkCoEkW5d0/s640/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+20+39+42.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Reading in Irish, Armagh man <span class="rphighlightallclass"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Seán Ó <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Farraigh</span> gave a beautiful rendition of his story <i>Neamhchiontach go dtí go gcruthaítear a <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">mhalairt</span>. </i></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ElNoed63Wvo/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ElNoed63Wvo?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span class="rphighlightallclass"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I grasped at words and phrases I recognized, desperate to understand this lilting and musical language. This young man’s bilingual skill inspired me to consider attending Irish language classes myself – with the new Irish Language centre on its way here in Armagh, I really have no excuse! </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiBslBiVPTVw7ahePrPPoEJy9pjEghm0jI21_CeeT8KcTZOVTaLPvhEKFrctdVxM9lmErHjtx9IvHoqF2OHxTYLydIi81KXjiwekyo7C5umU2_AjzJnLGIaRh1nBFcrYOTmidqC5kGHI/s1600/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+20+44+36+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiBslBiVPTVw7ahePrPPoEJy9pjEghm0jI21_CeeT8KcTZOVTaLPvhEKFrctdVxM9lmErHjtx9IvHoqF2OHxTYLydIi81KXjiwekyo7C5umU2_AjzJnLGIaRh1nBFcrYOTmidqC5kGHI/s640/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+20+44+36+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="rphighlightallclass"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Catherine Carson from Crossgar made everyone’s ears tingle and skin goosebump with the power of <i>Spectrum, </i>a story of a mother with her grown-up autistic son<i>.</i> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/c8xU3-pGY7Y/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c8xU3-pGY7Y?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span class="rphighlightallclass"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">A collective “Awe,” at the end of her account, <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">gave</span> instant, and I’d imagine, gratifying feedback to the writer of a story outstanding in its perception, construction and delivery. This new writer is one to watch. (You heard it first at Flash Fiction Armagh!)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR46SX6VwHBMWmrvKcqkZfyB1dDFVIh7NnbA9lYdtu9rHa2CjpNiANi1d-Y89cNGvMoN_fPL-Vapbh4FK2R4UXjvrjGkn_26mSm4y8AbmYr64pQ2Kzf-vFKuCBxm96-VaEwOX1NVIw6Pc/s1600/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+21+01+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR46SX6VwHBMWmrvKcqkZfyB1dDFVIh7NnbA9lYdtu9rHa2CjpNiANi1d-Y89cNGvMoN_fPL-Vapbh4FK2R4UXjvrjGkn_26mSm4y8AbmYr64pQ2Kzf-vFKuCBxm96-VaEwOX1NVIw6Pc/s400/Photo+22-03-2018%252C+21+01+26.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malachi showing a picture of the suits in <i>Scoring in the Seventies</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="rphighlightallclass"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Though it was a hard act to follow, Malachi Kelly from Armagh brought the house down with his amusing story <i>Scoring in The Seventies</i>, about how a new suit sets hearts and minds alight in 1970’s Armagh. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqHdcC7wD0k/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EqHdcC7wD0k?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
<span class="rphighlightallclass"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">Leaving us smiling and uplifted, it was a perfect way to end the evening.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="rphighlightallclass"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">By the time we brought the evening to a close, it was decided that this would not be the last Flash Fiction Armagh. It turned out that Mulberry Bistro loved hosting us as much as we loved being there – an event marriage in the making. The feedback forms begged us to have another evening as soon as possible. When people were asked about the venue, the vote was in – Mulberry Bistro was ideal – classy, intimate and welcoming.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were about half a dozen people in the audience who were there because I’d asked them to come as my friend/family to support our first event. At the outset, I looked upon their attendance as a favour to me – it may not be their cup of tea. I worried that I was putting them out but valued their support, loved them for it in fact. But by the end of the evening, I realized something – this event, these readers, our selections had reached every member of the audience, more than once and in more than one way. The event had been a success for all of us because good writing is about describing the human condition and connecting us to one another, no matter who we are and what we believe. Flash Fiction Armagh extended beyond my preconceived ideas of what literature should or should not be. Flash Fiction Armagh connected us to one another however fleetingly and I am confident it will do so again.<br />
<br />
We are having the next Flash Fiction Armagh on Thursday 14th June 2018 at 7 pm, upstairs in Mulberry Bistro.<br />
<br />
See you there!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Byddi Lee</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-76997725396953536382018-03-06T02:43:00.000-08:002018-03-20T03:10:35.960-07:00Flash Fiction Armagh Presents<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqu9axmHW3Ki6kB6-mOAw_geqG0sF-7SnBOLJ-o-AT-SH1tOQ1WAczxVideWk8e1iv64RJ7o8xBYVnGilM3Rr-naxcM6WxKRTcM3NuG7hnKWmljNmrGrdMnbzo5ECp5elFoAveucRevHo/s1600/FFAAdvertisement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqu9axmHW3Ki6kB6-mOAw_geqG0sF-7SnBOLJ-o-AT-SH1tOQ1WAczxVideWk8e1iv64RJ7o8xBYVnGilM3Rr-naxcM6WxKRTcM3NuG7hnKWmljNmrGrdMnbzo5ECp5elFoAveucRevHo/s400/FFAAdvertisement.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We had a fabulous response to the <a href="https://byddi.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/flash-fiction-armagh-call-for_12.html">call for submissions for Flash Fiction Armagh</a>.<br />
<br />
The high standard of writing gave us some difficulty making our final selection, but we are delighted to present the following writers at our inaugural Flash Fiction Armagh on Thursday 22nd March 2018 at 7pm.<br />
<br />
In no particular order, congratulations to: <br />
<br />
Jay Faulker, <i>Rain</i><br />
Catherine Carson, <i>Spectrum</i><br />
Réaltán Ní Leannáin, <i>Dílis</i><span style="color: #c00000;"></span><br />
<span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Damien Mallon<i>, Reading The Trees</i></span></span><br />
<span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Pamela Brown<i>, Mansfield House</i></span></span><br />
<span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection">Réamonn Ó Ciaráin</span></span></span><i><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection">, </span></span></span></i></span></span><i>The Boy Corps of Eamhain Mhacha</i><br />
<span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Trish Bennett<i>, Power of a Peeler</i></span></span><br />
<span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"></span></span><span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Karen Mooney, <i>A Fond Farewell</i></span></span><br />
<span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading">Seán Ó Farraigh, </span><i><span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Neamhchiontach go dtí go gcruthaítear a mhalairt</span></span></i><br />
<span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;">Christopher Moore<i>, The Dark Hedges</i></span></span><br />
Malachi Kelly, <i>Scoring in the Seventies</i><br />
<span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection"></span></span></span><i><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection"></span></span></span></i></span></span><br />
<span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection">Sharon Dempsey<span style="font-size: x-small;">*</span></span></span></span><i><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection">, The Watcher </span></span></span></i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection">So please come along and be a part of the first ever Flash Fiction Armagh.</span></span></span><i><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection"> </span></span></span></i></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection">A big thank you to<a href="https://byddi.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/mulberry-great-place-to-eat-in-armagh.html"> Mulberry Bistro</a> for generously hosting the event in their gorgeous upstairs room allowing us to keep the event free. </span></span></span></span></span><span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection">No better location, with our beautiful Cathedral looking on through their windows! </span></span></span><i><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection"> </span></span></span></i></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rXI6KVhi6hOZJ5iIz73kBAVL5_PSddpFBVH6JADtKNqImZxQqSgnfQB4UvEUTzaMQ-QDILHzaGPztNozWWPLla7OODqsihiwkph2gllCUywp67pUdqEvdWk9uzS9yrhOo7UaHZcz42E/s1600/MulberryArmagh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1184" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rXI6KVhi6hOZJ5iIz73kBAVL5_PSddpFBVH6JADtKNqImZxQqSgnfQB4UvEUTzaMQ-QDILHzaGPztNozWWPLla7OODqsihiwkph2gllCUywp67pUdqEvdWk9uzS9yrhOo7UaHZcz42E/s640/MulberryArmagh.JPG" width="472" /></a></div>
<span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection"><br /></span></span></span></i></span></span>
<span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection">Byddi Lee</span></span></span><i><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection"><br /></span></span></span></i></span></span><br />
<span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"><i><span class="_pe_S2 PersonaPaneLauncher" role="presentation"><span class="_pe_l"><span class="bidi allowTextSelection"> </span></span></span> </i></span></span><i><span class="rpHighlightAllClass rpHighlightSubjectClass" role="heading"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif" , serif , "emojifont"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; margin: 0px;"> </span></span></i><br />
<br />
* Sharon Dempsey is unable to make it to the event in March, but we hope to see her at a subsequent event.Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-82638542059499179552018-02-26T06:23:00.000-08:002018-02-26T06:23:07.167-08:00The Charlemont Arms Hotel, Armagh - there's always a warm welcome and a log on the fire.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fQoD5Q7wTu77UDg4T3-HLad5leNeX-o7P6nc9DGfMkumL4J_M9DDTpY600UOrDO-FdNFlRbnSFKTOIIYAFUyZ8IocnU1Yi1coCUNJg-oqyly9hVWx8O2clE08tPnTqbk1Mu1-wO-mBE/s1600/IMG_20180223_153812.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fQoD5Q7wTu77UDg4T3-HLad5leNeX-o7P6nc9DGfMkumL4J_M9DDTpY600UOrDO-FdNFlRbnSFKTOIIYAFUyZ8IocnU1Yi1coCUNJg-oqyly9hVWx8O2clE08tPnTqbk1Mu1-wO-mBE/s640/IMG_20180223_153812.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
My Granny loved a wee meal in the Charlemont Hotel. We celebrated her 80th <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">birthday</span> there and a few years later celebrated her life with a meal there after her funeral. It was also where we celebrated my nephews' christening. I have fond memories of dancing with My Dad at credit Union <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">AGMs</span>. He was great at the jiving and taught My Sister and <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">me</span> how to dance in our kitchen. Nearly 10 years after his passing, I was back dancing in that same room, this time to the Celtic Rock Legends, Horslips at the John O Connor Writing Festival.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The Charlemont Hotel has been the venue for many of the beats of my life, and it's a great wee spot for a cosy meal and a drink with friends <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">between</span> those times.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9swCtWqjGru8Vj8CS9NID7WG85gbY5B1APIa4mgyZ-LV6xP-ADfVk-AQRdaXV6vAfPFhcr8dcQVXFDOhibpYVaS9UWDRqLWqJZ-4F9d6vhk-655eYj1rluESM73LNThZ3kPch-jS4QE/s1600/IMG_20180223_154026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9swCtWqjGru8Vj8CS9NID7WG85gbY5B1APIa4mgyZ-LV6xP-ADfVk-AQRdaXV6vAfPFhcr8dcQVXFDOhibpYVaS9UWDRqLWqJZ-4F9d6vhk-655eYj1rluESM73LNThZ3kPch-jS4QE/s640/IMG_20180223_154026.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Last August, I was sitting in the queue one day in Argos in <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Armagh</span> when a woman sat down beside me.<br />
"I know you don't I?" <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">we</span> said to each other at the same time. It took us a few moments to place each other's face.<br />
<br />
"I was talking to you the other night," I said. "I was in the Charlemont. You work there don't you?"<br />
<br />
I'd had my hair cut that morning, and she said that was why it had taken her a moment to <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">recognise</span> me again. Turns out, Helen doesn't just work there, she and her sister, Judith, own the hotel. It didn't surprise me one bit to learn that The Charlemont <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">was a</span> family run business. It had always had a warmth to it, a sense of comfort and <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">home</span> that comes from family. Helen's friendliness was typical of what I've come to associate with the Charlemont Hotel. She was happy to sit down with me recently and tell me about her family's history at the hotel.<br />
<br />
Helen's grandparents, Robert and Elizabeth Forster, bought the hotel in 1934. Her mum came to work in the <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">office at</span> the age of 14. As we chatted, I mentioned how <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">romantic</span> it <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">must</span> have been for this young woman going to work and meeting the hotel owner's son, catching his eye and falling in love. Helen gave me a look that told me I might be over <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">romanticising</span> things (as I am prone to doing) and said with a laugh, " Let's just say, love blossomed."<br />
<br />
When I pressed it by saying that they probably went to the City Hall dances together Helen nodded and told me that the Charlemont had done the catering for <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">those</span> dances. My own parents had gone to those dances too.<br />
<br />
Helen's parents took over running the hotel. In those days a lot of travelling salesmen and company <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">reps stayed</span> in the hotel. Her <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">mother</span> tells of how they <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">used</span> to leave their shoes out by their doors and the staff <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">would</span> take them away, polish them and return them before morning. There is still a room at the hotel called the "boot hall" where the shoes where polished. Often the reps would get up to high jinx, doing things like swapping around the shoes. I can imagine the <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">temptation</span> that would be after a few pints of Guinness in the bar!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6XqfjvDCHYVl2HwVwE3SYrkwC6HI11kwq7gxaijKQofKMUMLS3bezHilg0kga662io3Y_tDnkY_6NBqM5sI192WZ7ED1r5cGSHFNWlirseIMUhgduCRIQcUGirQi1ocKbjtNUINQaBI/s1600/IMG_20180223_153959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6XqfjvDCHYVl2HwVwE3SYrkwC6HI11kwq7gxaijKQofKMUMLS3bezHilg0kga662io3Y_tDnkY_6NBqM5sI192WZ7ED1r5cGSHFNWlirseIMUhgduCRIQcUGirQi1ocKbjtNUINQaBI/s640/IMG_20180223_153959.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
That was all before Helen's time but she remembered the tea - loose tea, no tea bags - for the hotel arriving in big tea chests. I knew the type of thing she meant. We'd had one that we had stored old toys in. She also <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">remembers</span> coin operated heaters in the rooms.<br />
<br />
There had been 18 rooms but some shared bathrooms. After renovations to give each room an ensuite there were 12 rooms. In 2000, the Charlemont bought Turners, the builders merchants next door and extended to 30 rooms, all with ensuite.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyjWZm-pG_hdxc3k3h_Ik_cR3WZeekfO7HXD98-Asv2qExZQ71q13p11etrg6-48LURNbdVJ5ee16uXfZR_0Tz3vVIv0rKoKQkmkzedtWemW_V-fRK11ficCdbAzj1l0dmuy0oG-U4c4/s1600/IMG_20180223_153827.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyjWZm-pG_hdxc3k3h_Ik_cR3WZeekfO7HXD98-Asv2qExZQ71q13p11etrg6-48LURNbdVJ5ee16uXfZR_0Tz3vVIv0rKoKQkmkzedtWemW_V-fRK11ficCdbAzj1l0dmuy0oG-U4c4/s640/IMG_20180223_153827.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
The hotel weathered the good times and the bad and throughout the years both sides of the community were welcomed and supported the hotel. Helen says she really appreciates that. I liked to hear it too. It gave me hope for a future where we can all live and work <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">together</span> here.<br />
<br />
I asked Helen had she ever considered not going into the family business. She shrugged and said she'd spent a year in Boston, but even that was hotel related. She'd had worked in the 1000 room Boston Park Plaza which was, as Helen put it, "a bit different."<br />
<br />
And indeed it is because the Charlemont Hotel has a good, comfortable vibe. It's an institution of old Armagh and has an atmosphere of home. People make friends here. There's always a log on the fire and the kettles always on the boil. Even when working during quiet times, when the place is empty, Helen says she never feels lonely or afraid in the hotel.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicf5dt6KknPUhyjqLszbnDMwPPs5zg1mDm9cJebmnfbmTYPfVDWSkrjWtvIjZLKs97LXrLbPL44NsyCk0xChgpszpG-puRMKLKe7A2ElVv9aStCUgz1mNPUSQ28V7iiBllgGTwThKoEGU/s1600/IMG_20180223_153841.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1120" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicf5dt6KknPUhyjqLszbnDMwPPs5zg1mDm9cJebmnfbmTYPfVDWSkrjWtvIjZLKs97LXrLbPL44NsyCk0xChgpszpG-puRMKLKe7A2ElVv9aStCUgz1mNPUSQ28V7iiBllgGTwThKoEGU/s640/IMG_20180223_153841.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<br />
Helen did her degree in hotel tourism but says she learned more in the day-to-day running of the Charlemont when she and her sister took over the running of the hotel. She has certainly endeavoured to provide a cosy home-from-home experience for the people who frequent this <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">much-loved</span> establishment at the heart of the city.<br />
<br />
The Charlemont Hotel is the pivotal venue of the John O Connor Writing School and Literary Festival held every year in November. Robert McCrum, Associate Editor, The Observer and author summed it up nicely when he urged the festival organizers,<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Don't get bigger, get better! The Charlemont is key to your success - such a great vibe..."</blockquote>
<br />
Come see for yourselves. Grab a good book and have a drink by the fire - I can suggest a few good ones - both in books and drinks!<br />
<br />
<br />
Byddi Lee<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-50699225585502844342018-02-16T04:22:00.000-08:002018-02-16T04:22:25.360-08:00Full House at the Open Mic in the Abby Lane Theatre<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Open Mic Night at the <a href="http://www.armaghtheatregroup.com/">Abbey Lane Theatre</a> is a gleaming treasure hidden in a backstreet of Armagh City. Tucked behind a wall in a carpark where Linehall Street meets Abbey Lane, the door to the theatre bears little adornment. Once through that door, the stage is to the left and a large room stretches back to stairs beside an area with a sink and a structure that reminded me of our school tuckshop. Bare concrete walls play host to photos of happy groups of people in various costumes. I pick out some familiar faces.<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9c77hQV7aZD88Wc9WolyrTXKc1H8dHVK1gEV434s5vfgvNR5_XcSecuEgrxMVHR7olYyqdKGjllVGXAeeW8ELplfpwZaRodB6SzATn5DNFwFW_fr6eUKKsp9GVmG_nsT1wWR_jUzJzw/s1600/OPEN-MIC-NIGHTs-Monthly.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1132" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9c77hQV7aZD88Wc9WolyrTXKc1H8dHVK1gEV434s5vfgvNR5_XcSecuEgrxMVHR7olYyqdKGjllVGXAeeW8ELplfpwZaRodB6SzATn5DNFwFW_fr6eUKKsp9GVmG_nsT1wWR_jUzJzw/s640/OPEN-MIC-NIGHTs-Monthly.jpg" width="451" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of The Armagh Theatre group website.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tonight is the last Friday of January and the first Open Mic Night of 2018. The stage has been set up with clusters of chairs and some little tables upon which sit little bowls of crisps, as if to say, “make yourself at home.” The rest of the room centres on a lonely blue chair and the Mic midway down the hall. I like the inclusive and intimate set up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We pay our cover charge. Malachi Kelly welcomes us in. He has an easy way of managing to chat with everyone, giving each a fair amount of his banter without looking hassled or making you feel you’re in the way.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The burble of voices in the room rises as the seats fill in. Friends acknowledge each other, women embrace, men shake hands and clap backs. The audience is diverse – male, female, young, middle-aged, and older. There are people here from Lurgan, Belfast, and possibly further afield judging by the accents I hear.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The room is full, every seat taken, and a couple of young girls sit on the stairs having given up their seats to a more mature couple of late-comers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Malachi takes the Mic, taps it a few times, then sets it aside. He starts, “In the name…” Those magic words, many of the audience know from school days as the way to quiet a crowd. Apart from the swell of gentle laughter, it works. Everyone settles in to listen and from what I can see are captured in the magic that the performers spin over the next couple of hours.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First up is Poet Mel Mc Mahon, originally from Lurgan reading poetry from his book<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Out of Breath.</i> I can tell from the pin-drop silence that he has connected with the audience and he carries us along with his mastery of words.<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDWeB9pCtAhOqcjoCyIuQ7KwoxAlJ9tTn7TGtfD4BlU4HStmTCB-xGeJwCp3Qzwdn3i7kjom7G65D9qzv-NZa8n3ptif7TMY0LnJiog3Fz0cv67726WqKILFV5sy26xiGljPnM3WhkME/s1600/IMG_20180126_212430.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDWeB9pCtAhOqcjoCyIuQ7KwoxAlJ9tTn7TGtfD4BlU4HStmTCB-xGeJwCp3Qzwdn3i7kjom7G65D9qzv-NZa8n3ptif7TMY0LnJiog3Fz0cv67726WqKILFV5sy26xiGljPnM3WhkME/s640/IMG_20180126_212430.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next up is Thomas Healy on the harp and we let our minds melt with the resonance of the strings. Later in the evening, his soulful yet gritty poetry leaves a lasting impression.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then Dymphna Ferran gets to her feet, looking like butter wouldn’t melt but brings the house down with her stand-up comedy act.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02TBhC0ZFvNLUgmkh8b6AadJ0uhYodoC2Slc56gyGwMGpwLJPcvo7tp_q0VwKaoMfFx65fIvYkbfo_5o6cf1uda3HxdPtC8VSjC5ThVaWQyt1O98pcr4b2ZtIAM1d2R2jtVnakx8osyE/s1600/Dymphna+Ferran.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02TBhC0ZFvNLUgmkh8b6AadJ0uhYodoC2Slc56gyGwMGpwLJPcvo7tp_q0VwKaoMfFx65fIvYkbfo_5o6cf1uda3HxdPtC8VSjC5ThVaWQyt1O98pcr4b2ZtIAM1d2R2jtVnakx8osyE/s400/Dymphna+Ferran.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
When John Goodman starts to sing, a respectful silence settles over the listeners. It seems his reputation precedes him, and rightly so. Sung in an old tradition of reciting story, his voice is clear and melodic and the narrative easy to follow.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Colin Dardis, all the way from Belfast, reads poems so good that I get prickles on my scalp as his words wriggle under my skin.<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYymu0DvF3ssOZDUFIN7CCLeG3ITEi5EHE-tCjwBWConSyWe90AwMZXshfO6ZieIKkUvOQCLxhTc57aoRcPwDoouOhBEge6yrOlyckjsOm_58ir0uoeS6-1V-2X-Uf7z4mbkDcr8Mqrk/s1600/Colin+Dardis+from+Crescent+Arts+Centre+Open+Mic+Night.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYymu0DvF3ssOZDUFIN7CCLeG3ITEi5EHE-tCjwBWConSyWe90AwMZXshfO6ZieIKkUvOQCLxhTc57aoRcPwDoouOhBEge6yrOlyckjsOm_58ir0uoeS6-1V-2X-Uf7z4mbkDcr8Mqrk/s400/Colin+Dardis+from+Crescent+Arts+Centre+Open+Mic+Night.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
We roll into the intermission with a beautiful song from Daniel Corrigan.<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1B0HrQ0rZelcYKdRrgdzq_H81EOk9wNNq-xpBIAju5Gt-BmfcGdv4jJHipAdf900XVK3Q9D5mqwPHtHkGIaI0wtNmfiyx-J-ltAPE4Y942CFRqKxsKOosuPZn6KBn7f6X-DvzE-9ezcY/s1600/Daniel+Corrigan.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1443" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1B0HrQ0rZelcYKdRrgdzq_H81EOk9wNNq-xpBIAju5Gt-BmfcGdv4jJHipAdf900XVK3Q9D5mqwPHtHkGIaI0wtNmfiyx-J-ltAPE4Y942CFRqKxsKOosuPZn6KBn7f6X-DvzE-9ezcY/s320/Daniel+Corrigan.JPG" width="288" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Even the break is a bit of craic as people move about, chatting with friends, congratulating performers. It’s nice to be able to approach people unselfconsciously and strike up a conversation. The atmosphere is simply that convivial.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Malachi launches the second half with what can only be described as a controlled riot. It’s time for the Limerick competition, too many contestants to name but all raising a laugh. There’s prizes – a meal for two, a bottle of wine, chocolates. I’m impressed at the list. To determine who wins, Malachi produces a Clapometer on his iPad. The audience decides it has one mission, and one mission only – to get that needle to the max, regardless of who said which limerick. It’s daft craic in its best Armagh fashion.<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-cWimnEy0DSs5Pnrqg4XqmaQHVT6p67Gd3d03skyZ2U0WvqtPG2kz-vU6jor1I460Jl5fDG2MtN1H0d7eUb5UPArUO_UursUmwKdJdpCg_AVsikbthXM6MSO_yyQVC9-RRR5R4yIq3g/s1600/Malachi+Kelly+breaking+out+the+clapometer.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP-cWimnEy0DSs5Pnrqg4XqmaQHVT6p67Gd3d03skyZ2U0WvqtPG2kz-vU6jor1I460Jl5fDG2MtN1H0d7eUb5UPArUO_UursUmwKdJdpCg_AVsikbthXM6MSO_yyQVC9-RRR5R4yIq3g/s400/Malachi+Kelly+breaking+out+the+clapometer.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Finally, somehow, Malachi declares a winner and presents the meal for two…a couple of packets of Tayto crisps, delivered by air mail as he flings them over the heads of the audience. Local produce all the way!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peter Carragher from Cullyhanna via Gilford enthrals the house with his aural storytelling, word perfect, without prompting from page or phone, an impressive feat which I think the younger generations would find hard to match.<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIqNw0rdksDv8bUeFgrFj34I6yvUavsCv86cztEq7khSzG1KrWzDK9PnP2yDmKxDgmfRPc0UiPuWYSF4IG26rb7_OKgFwIgLJv_OIJEcWXrXHVfA4JRWbmKQ-3q73w7IYh9sxo8RZ4DY/s1600/Peter+Carragher.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1460" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIIqNw0rdksDv8bUeFgrFj34I6yvUavsCv86cztEq7khSzG1KrWzDK9PnP2yDmKxDgmfRPc0UiPuWYSF4IG26rb7_OKgFwIgLJv_OIJEcWXrXHVfA4JRWbmKQ-3q73w7IYh9sxo8RZ4DY/s320/Peter+Carragher.jpg" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Geraldine Daris O Kane reads a powerful poem that explores what it means to be human in our connections and our projections of who we think we are.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Young Louis O Donnell entertains us on his banjo. It is great to see the youth joining in and sharing their talents too.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kevin Trainer has the whole place singing with him as he sings a song about Armagh characters from days gone by.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A somewhat experimental piece, the Mc Cools pull off a delightful narrated tin whistle instrumental. Musical talent is obviously a thing here in Armagh as singers Theresa, Michael Callaghan and Pat Prunty illustrate.<br />
<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-fDmsOyCfDVDJZmyHEFAvutUCg_UeXOVBxjREZI5nu38_f5FBzhj-oO4NZ7IhcACvc-I9Q1lUIoBZBrgOVrqnmbe2iU2x5vboiH8HqnhGDHhUexi_BO_qGnZGz9GFKeMg3agT9uy8BQ/s1600/Thomas+Healy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Thomas Healy played the harp, recieted poetry and played guitar and sang." border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1539" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-fDmsOyCfDVDJZmyHEFAvutUCg_UeXOVBxjREZI5nu38_f5FBzhj-oO4NZ7IhcACvc-I9Q1lUIoBZBrgOVrqnmbe2iU2x5vboiH8HqnhGDHhUexi_BO_qGnZGz9GFKeMg3agT9uy8BQ/s320/Thomas+Healy.JPG" width="307" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomas Healy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
As the night comes to a close, again, we mingle. The Abbey Lane Theatre is a place with heart, a place to reconnect with old acquaintances and make new ones, a place to share stories and enjoy talent. It’s a place to enjoy a lovely night out on our doorstep, and I for one, am glad I discovered this place.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Open Mic at the Abbey Lane Theatre takes place on the last Friday of every month at 8pm and costs <span class="tgc">£</span>5.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For more information check out their website – <a href="http://www.armaghtheatregroup.com/">http://www.armaghtheatregroup.com/</a><br />
<br />
Next Friday, the talented poet, David Braziel leads the charge. It promises to be a great nights craic so get down there early and grab the best seats!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Byddi Lee</div>
Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-25091401199274054822018-02-07T07:49:00.000-08:002018-03-23T04:41:31.922-07:00Cúchulainn, Ulster’s Greatest Hero By Réamonn Ó Ciaráin: A Vibrant Legacy<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6r0bCmMkzu2BUMK-wmlUP-IvKMS-EGgumvnLqsYoxMe19tbOuKht6-CFBgMiDacmmr5yas1_hViA0dTZF07Ds4imXWhCgyYsU-G8Z6tMSMW3eT301FZ3qvRFLIQQqjcdEFzlYe33IT8M/s1600/C%25C3%25BAchulainnCover+%25283%2529+%2528Unicode+Encoding+Conflict%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1103" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6r0bCmMkzu2BUMK-wmlUP-IvKMS-EGgumvnLqsYoxMe19tbOuKht6-CFBgMiDacmmr5yas1_hViA0dTZF07Ds4imXWhCgyYsU-G8Z6tMSMW3eT301FZ3qvRFLIQQqjcdEFzlYe33IT8M/s640/C%25C3%25BAchulainnCover+%25283%2529+%2528Unicode+Encoding+Conflict%2529.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></b></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span></b><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Ó Ciaráin’s <i><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Cúchulainn, Ulster’s Greatest Hero </span></i></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">conveys the dazzling stories of a splendid hero from ancient Irish lore with vigour and elegance. </span>Réamonn Ó Ciaráin is a writer<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> rigorous in his attention to detail, balanced with compassion for his subject. He moves the reader effortlessly along <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">on</span> a journey, spinning stories rich in mythology and weaves them through the account of Cúchulainn’s life in seamless accord. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5HTLLiZoMyAf8TtXlFpTWJJu5jPd-P_IwXjTAT4JczoSAnA78aqXaWbS5ARzEkHZCMmZ6MndkPtZgl1HIB6FIt2lCpzGL3ZI4SUtpbkocdRQeKYi-QePJYZ_6mVjbda8AIPQbPwpAq8/s1600/280917-196.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="1600" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5HTLLiZoMyAf8TtXlFpTWJJu5jPd-P_IwXjTAT4JczoSAnA78aqXaWbS5ARzEkHZCMmZ6MndkPtZgl1HIB6FIt2lCpzGL3ZI4SUtpbkocdRQeKYi-QePJYZ_6mVjbda8AIPQbPwpAq8/s400/280917-196.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Illustrated with paintings from Dara Vallely, the physical book is magnificent to behold. The robust imagery engages our innermost tribal essence, freeing our minds-eye and transporting us to an ethereal plane. Fantasy melds with lucid narrative as </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">together Ó Ciaráin and Vallely depict the mystical conception, life and death of our hero in this vivid meeting of worlds. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8F4GsfwtioicZCmXokYH0ox_h6mlYTv4O2l15QrAs8tlep7aoUavar6l43kxfp6cgpla_NmxOqegj1eSqVQBsfrmEGAgl6kjAhSfvy7SxApsOTjseS03FMJF4qLmpiHtxD4Kq9eSz8DM/s1600/21635686913_89e73df28f_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1179" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8F4GsfwtioicZCmXokYH0ox_h6mlYTv4O2l15QrAs8tlep7aoUavar6l43kxfp6cgpla_NmxOqegj1eSqVQBsfrmEGAgl6kjAhSfvy7SxApsOTjseS03FMJF4qLmpiHtxD4Kq9eSz8DM/s640/21635686913_89e73df28f_k.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Based on the modern Ulster Irish language version, <i>Laoch <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">na</span> Laochra</i> also by </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Ó Ciaráin, the writing in this text retains the authentic <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">flavour</span> of locale by <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">using</span> the Irish place names. An effective appendix helps the reader keep track of people and places in the story. A resource that is particularly useful and engaging due to the pronunciation guidelines, and not being proficient in the Irish language, I welcome <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">its</span> <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">gentle</span> nudge towards my education in my native tongue.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The translation doesn’t feel forced. The words flow with ease and grace retaining the essence of storytelling from a bygone era <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">in stunning and dramatic </span>expression that refuses to skirt around the violence of battle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Even with the ethereal quality brought in by the otherworldly <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">characters,</span> there is a sense of historical accuracy. We can appreciate how Iron Age people must have relied on their belief in the supernatural in the absence of scientific fact to explain the wonders of their world. The embellishments and exaggerations over time and numerous recounting of the tales, add to the wonder and mystique of the legends they have become. </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GoGcx_KcGDZyYbT7oKOBzTvcZZbLsLZnCahdVR7msPc-o-Zfx3n8JFIQRS85jzZEsxl2BhyEyzJPPlY7QHHoSpv9pACwYEGIqoEedLCxyylxqIEMm0-cO2eiX3u02g-tZUbAMBsiHjs/s1600/22242750892_e917ddfe60_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1202" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GoGcx_KcGDZyYbT7oKOBzTvcZZbLsLZnCahdVR7msPc-o-Zfx3n8JFIQRS85jzZEsxl2BhyEyzJPPlY7QHHoSpv9pACwYEGIqoEedLCxyylxqIEMm0-cO2eiX3u02g-tZUbAMBsiHjs/s640/22242750892_e917ddfe60_k.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This account begins with Cúchulainn’s conception. The Celtic god of harvest claims his paternity in a dream to Cúchulainn’s mother.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">When the child, originally named Séadanda, is born, he is deemed special, as prophesied by the chief Druid. Séadanda receives special education and training as he grows up in Dundalk. He grows up listening to tales to the great warriors of Ulster and yearns to be one so much so that he takes off on foot by himself and heads to Eamhain Mhacha<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Navan Fort) in Armagh <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">to join</span> his <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">heroes</span>, the Craobh Rua warriors, based there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The young warrior, Séadanda earns a new name when he, in self-defence kills the hound belonging to Culann, the master smith and weapons maker for the Craobh Rua. Séadanda promises to act as Culann’s hound until a replacement can be found and thus becomes Cúchulainn – the Hound of <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Culann –</span> often referred to as the Hound of Ulster.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ó Ciaráin spends a lot of time chronicling the feats and achievements of the young warrior<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">. Once Cúchulainn is gripped by an ‘anger-frenzy’ no man is safe, sometimes not even <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Cúchulainn himself</span> such is the energy of the great powers he unleashes during these frenzies. On many <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">occasions,</span> Cúchulainn has encounters with spirits from the ‘other world’ who serve to both guide him and torment him depending on if they are friend or foe. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We meet the beautiful Eimhear, the great love of Cúchulainn’s life. Her father convinces The King of Ulster to send Cúchulainn to Scotland for battle training, hoping the young man never returns <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">to claim</span> his daughter’s hand. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">While in Scotland, Cúchulainn meets Aoife in single combat. He gets the upper hand and she pleads for her life whereupon Cúchulainn makes three demands upon her, one of which is that she bear him a son to be schooled at Eamhain Mhacha like his father. Later in the text, our hearts break for Cúchulainn as he is forced to face his own son in combat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Having survived his rigorous training in Scotland, Cúchulainn returns for his beloved Eimhear’s hand in marriage. Their marriage has its trials, as one might imagine in Iron Age times with its battles not to mention the spirits meddling from the underworld, but Eimhear and Cúchulainn’s love lasts to the grave.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are immersed in the stories of <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Cúchulainn as he interacts with the many characters in Eamhain Mhacha. There’s Bricre whose aim in life appears to be stirring up discord and mayhem; a dangerous game with these Ulster warriors who are prone to descend into anger frenzies. There are entertaining descriptions of not just the warrior’s competition for prime position among themselves but also the rivalry between their wives for prestige. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">A large portion of the book details The Cattle Raid of Cooley. When Méabh, the Queen of Connaught craves more power, she decides to invade Ulster and take possession <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">of the</span> prize bull of Cooley. Cúchulainn must defend Ulster on his own due to his fellow warriors being laid low by a curse. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> Attack after attack, Cúchulainn prevails but each time at great emotional and physical cost to him. Eventually, he must fight his best friend, Firdia. </span>Réamonn Ó Ciaráin remains true to his narrative style while evoking a strong emotional response in the reader as he depicts <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Cúchulainn carrying <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Firdia’s</span> body, dead by Cúchulainn’s own hand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the time we get to the final part of the book, entitled <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Death of <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Cúchulainn, we know we must prepare ourselves to say goodbye to our hero. It is an emotive section, even with </span></span>Ó Ciaráin’s consistent use of a <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">narrative</span> style that serves to document story more than manipulate sentiment. Suffice it to say, I had to blink back tears as I read the Hound’s last words, “…Tell Eimhear that it was her who was in my thoughts at the end.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We grieve with <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Eimhear</span> as she laments over the grave of her beloved <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Cúchulainn.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmf67XFUSNlu_ZSPCnq1ANfcZvpkqxdnCyU93CcNxkAtq2RvvYTwl4Q00nyePZxNMIcOITKE7sVi9E3oqFNx-mZnz8p0EidEcOSbcr9bkBZK8AYsOxrVhUMVmNNxvz7h87mdNeMYplgjk/s1600/22067628400_a9efa65f7f_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmf67XFUSNlu_ZSPCnq1ANfcZvpkqxdnCyU93CcNxkAtq2RvvYTwl4Q00nyePZxNMIcOITKE7sVi9E3oqFNx-mZnz8p0EidEcOSbcr9bkBZK8AYsOxrVhUMVmNNxvz7h87mdNeMYplgjk/s640/22067628400_a9efa65f7f_k.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">No review of this book would be complete without mentioning the role women play in this chronicle. </span>Ó Ciaráin gives equal weight with consideration and sensitivity to the prominence of powerful and influential women such as <span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Eimhear</span>, Queen <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Méabh, Aoife and her nemesis Sc</span>áthach who trained <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Cúchulainn in his battle skills in Scotland – yes, that was a woman. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In sections of the book, indented passages indicate poetry which I suspect </span>Ó Ciaráin has preserved in its original or as near to original form as possible. Being no expert in poetry, ancient or otherwise, I feel unqualified commenting other than to say that I feel it lends the narrative a definitive heft of authenticity, which, even though the words are English, whispers with the music of the Irish Language.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnw5hSE99kmZFw7i6OqOJ-HMb99A8FurmIwy6PAuW02V5xNiRu-8hPRnlrNs2Ld_bSoIH7LHpsAUnrbvBf7qrVT0yMDm-LQUrx9UQjiN_P6kZWPRP_a0uDsCVhC4jvnsKPPa8-rJJrkw/s1600/22067706328_2f38462ea5_k.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1191" data-original-width="1600" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnw5hSE99kmZFw7i6OqOJ-HMb99A8FurmIwy6PAuW02V5xNiRu-8hPRnlrNs2Ld_bSoIH7LHpsAUnrbvBf7qrVT0yMDm-LQUrx9UQjiN_P6kZWPRP_a0uDsCVhC4jvnsKPPa8-rJJrkw/s400/22067706328_2f38462ea5_k.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Reading this type of literature was a new experience for me. Its novelty served to enlighten and excite my imagination. I wholeheartedly value its vibrant legacy. I picture these characters existing here, in this place I call home. It reinforces my sense of living in a historically important place. No drive to Dublin will ever be the same again. As I view the stretch of road between Armagh and Dundalk or Muirtheimhne with eyes educated by this text, I think of the battles that took place here and the bloodshed sparked by a bull that symbolized more than a just a bull. And above all, I tunnel back through time to imagine Séadanda as a young boy striking out across these fields and mountains towards his epic destiny at Eamhain Mhacha (Navan Fort, Armagh). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Artwork by Dara Vallely</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Pictures supplied by </span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Réamonn Ó Ciaráin - thank you.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Review by Byddi Lee</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Copies can be purchased online from the <a href="https://siopa.gael-linn.ie/sites/gael-linnEN/Product.aspx?cid=1856&pid=17506&treeid=2">Gael Linn shop</a>. </span></span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> </span></i></div>
Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073544166312771102.post-70676043983922117792018-02-02T06:58:00.001-08:002018-02-02T06:58:16.528-08:00Tales of Giants and Thrones - North Coast TripWe've had visitors from Australia for a ten-day visit to Armagh. It was amazing how much there was to show them - even with the snow closing things down during their stay.<br />
<br />
When they told us that they'd been up to parts of the North Coast before but hadn't managed to visit The Giants Causeway because of the queues of people, we decided we had to take them. It was January - sure we'd have the place to our selves (Ha - ya think?)<br />
<br />
We left Armagh at 11am - we're into leisurely Saturday mornings - and arrived in Portstewart at 1.30pm, just in time for lunch. <br />
<br />
The sun was at it's highest but at this time of the year, at this latitude that's not saying much. Huge white clouds chugged across the sky accentuating the gorgeous landscape and providing a feature all of their own. Precious chunks of blue sky peeked from between them and brightened patches of a pewter ocean to Azure.<br />
<br />
Our first stop along the road was Dunluce Castle. The first time I saw this place, thirty odd years ago, (some years odder than others, believe me) I was driving the coast road from Portstewart to Bushmills and didn't know it was there. I turned the corner and BAM - this amazing castle on a cliff edge just sitting in a field. There was no wall or fence around it, no visitor centre, no cover charge - just this mad castle that you could walk freely around. Today the castle is still as splendid. So much so that it has been used, with the help of CGI technology, as a set for <a href="https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/history/game-drones-stunning-footage-shows-12777176">Game of Thrones - representing House of Greyjoy</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvLZ06q5_tkqlWcnO8m0vzDtchgTOjc8ONWizOyqEj4ljg1rj0sfPEQBaOJg8iNarqSKt1zXbKDCEbplUC8ZluPMyVysi40E5YMo9nOSlfDnb__w9LQz-ETmfnEFici-6wUidtGc7AKs/s1600/DSC_0003_HDR.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvLZ06q5_tkqlWcnO8m0vzDtchgTOjc8ONWizOyqEj4ljg1rj0sfPEQBaOJg8iNarqSKt1zXbKDCEbplUC8ZluPMyVysi40E5YMo9nOSlfDnb__w9LQz-ETmfnEFici-6wUidtGc7AKs/s400/DSC_0003_HDR.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Further along the coast, we didn't exactly have the <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giants-causeway">Giants Causeway</a> to ourselves but compared to the crowds you get here in the summer, it was fairly empty.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSIA0yQ8t1hmMC0JvofzlD8xzxgYA7EdRlQmnuAiBMKpwrUjLJhOaPOt32g83Af_f3KLRe7_SxbOrnA664euIK0ozSKLMfe_D5Awc_rSHHbzboAzQzvavDlX4ksn4TSVywXRj_-QF504/s1600/DSC_0046.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGSIA0yQ8t1hmMC0JvofzlD8xzxgYA7EdRlQmnuAiBMKpwrUjLJhOaPOt32g83Af_f3KLRe7_SxbOrnA664euIK0ozSKLMfe_D5Awc_rSHHbzboAzQzvavDlX4ksn4TSVywXRj_-QF504/s400/DSC_0046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The clouds competed with the rock formations for our attention...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDj8ifvBqrK1ilwUEIn6RTdFeJ4m341Ui72EUTiuR9RFzy56xkePwwJUQY65KNUYiFdg7uKkfmZBamEJ_imo435_WX7ogbbQFQh0LNI5BC26a6tlvGLyrWJVAe4mBQ8nxKRqL7-PU66k/s1600/DSC_0032_HDR.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDj8ifvBqrK1ilwUEIn6RTdFeJ4m341Ui72EUTiuR9RFzy56xkePwwJUQY65KNUYiFdg7uKkfmZBamEJ_imo435_WX7ogbbQFQh0LNI5BC26a6tlvGLyrWJVAe4mBQ8nxKRqL7-PU66k/s400/DSC_0032_HDR.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And stole the show, hands down, when the sun painted them in golds and bronze.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2zjmbxrb05AePlU9_zlN2leQmdEwSCNXVYcSWGOe4suFBCRKnGQ6h_bGUMjQwJR0d-OwQPZ4UnqfyfkDDvGwypnIBZiykhtU3nQryvn7C4p5DZgXKhLOrZaahxJJSEV1WTOpNhY8dpo/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX2zjmbxrb05AePlU9_zlN2leQmdEwSCNXVYcSWGOe4suFBCRKnGQ6h_bGUMjQwJR0d-OwQPZ4UnqfyfkDDvGwypnIBZiykhtU3nQryvn7C4p5DZgXKhLOrZaahxJJSEV1WTOpNhY8dpo/s400/DSC_0061.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The highlight of the trip was the gorgeous Ballintoy Harbour, also seen multiple times on Game of Thrones. In that world, it's part of the Iron Islands where Theon Greyjoy's family hails from. In real life, it's actually far prettier.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7VWJvXTgW7ik5It4nE_khfvH9aEN7Dusk-YnJizEQ0fL9F0Ot92Z6IyN2RL4pzJJXAlUGyu5nf6hcKlKXrcXki_FNVT-zbM-qaGi5mWovDwj5-wnHFC7vnoxlnubr0NXEkP3jNUIX-k/s1600/DSC_0063_HDR.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7VWJvXTgW7ik5It4nE_khfvH9aEN7Dusk-YnJizEQ0fL9F0Ot92Z6IyN2RL4pzJJXAlUGyu5nf6hcKlKXrcXki_FNVT-zbM-qaGi5mWovDwj5-wnHFC7vnoxlnubr0NXEkP3jNUIX-k/s400/DSC_0063_HDR.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But it's easy to see why someone would base a fantasy story here.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusznt5SzBawLswixJn70UX_vvmTYDJ76EGQaGYE2bNtiNRUCFGZHbXzHx4IsF5mzdzUqn87MYOG5QFckjgSGW4vecr8Fu0sWZDx1l3dmDEJuvSP8BGAbhExETW1hUyTXZ6eQ9nxuHMdU/s1600/DSC_0086_01_HDR.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiusznt5SzBawLswixJn70UX_vvmTYDJ76EGQaGYE2bNtiNRUCFGZHbXzHx4IsF5mzdzUqn87MYOG5QFckjgSGW4vecr8Fu0sWZDx1l3dmDEJuvSP8BGAbhExETW1hUyTXZ6eQ9nxuHMdU/s400/DSC_0086_01_HDR.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As a whistle-stop tour of the North Coast goes, we did fairly well to see so much before it got dark. I would recommend spending a few more days here and take some of the rambles along the coast... we've marked it on our to-do list for this summer.<br />
<br />
Driving home, we came across this ethereal scene and had to stop the car to take photos of the theatre of cloud, fog and snow - fairyland indeed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFzCGxSr70RiVF4LE9ZWb4jRo-me1QIa9qpmdQpuszI4BT1WzHCtt4-NZ_Kb1e6B47D0OxmPEUH71VvUjw9bx_zM6ncyyPYAEUvckjBd4kDRpNd0Ir1Qc0QwmVRpcRQT71UojfLFBTmE/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFzCGxSr70RiVF4LE9ZWb4jRo-me1QIa9qpmdQpuszI4BT1WzHCtt4-NZ_Kb1e6B47D0OxmPEUH71VvUjw9bx_zM6ncyyPYAEUvckjBd4kDRpNd0Ir1Qc0QwmVRpcRQT71UojfLFBTmE/s400/DSC_0091.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Is it any wonder Irish culture is so heavily sprinkled with fairies and magic when this is on our doorstep?<br />
<br />
Byddi Lee<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Byddi Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10390701562389164421noreply@blogger.com