Monday 9 November 2009

Many Mansions

A beautiful new venture has come to my notice. The Ireland Chair of Poetry are launching a limited edition poetry book, designed and published by Stoney Road Press. This truly is a very special limited edition. Only 125 copies will be produced, each of them lovingly made by hand using traditional letterpress equipment in the National Print Museum in Dublin. Each book will be made using 250gsm BFK Rives Blanc paper and bound in mid-blue goatskin leather by Antiquarian Bookcrafts, also in Dublin.

"Many Mansions" features 12 previously unpublished poems, 2 each from the previous six Irish Professors of Poetry, the poet representing the Chair. The six are John Montague, Nuala Ni Dhomhnaill, Paul Durcan, Michael Longley, Ciaran Carson and Seamus Heaney.

The books cost the understandably princely sum of €1000 each but the true value lies in their exquisite artisan production and the limited collection of these great Irish poets. The majority of the profits will go to raising funds for the Ireland Chair of Poetry. Oh how I covet one.

See also, this article.

Saturday 7 November 2009

Extraordinary in the Banal

Special memories of simple ordinary moments that will stay with you always.


Stopping at a late opening petrol station for coffee during a long late night journey with my mother. We sat in the car in the pouring rain and the petrol station coffee tasted superb and revived us for the last leg of the journey. I'll never forget that cup of coffee!

Monday 2 November 2009

Cosy Autumn Days

I just love this time of year. It makes my heart sing every day! The changing colours, the falling leaves, the crispness to the air and the difference in the light all leave me full of hope and ideas and happiness! Out with the blankets, the porridge brekkies, the thick socks and wool coats! Even candlelight is nicer this time of the year - enjoyed with a cup of hot chocolate and a special someone!