Waylon. youtu.be/Fa3I7wTOO8k?...

The Redskins attacking Thatcher on Saturday morning kids TV show No. 73. And yes, that's Five Star, Matthew Kelly and Andrea Arnold dancing along. Watch the full 1985 recording of Plateful of Hateful with added Sandi Toksvig at youtu.be/XvsM-BsaznE

Glenveagh Castle today.

Sam Gardiner

The colour of vowels.

RIP Glen Baxter.

bit of this bit of that

Pils ‘n’ Thrills.

Eoin representing NI and Ulster in Cross Country.

Phil McCann reporting on fuel shortages

This poem of mine appeared in the 1997 Forward anthology. Auberon Waugh on ' Newsnight' used it as an example of the rubbish that passed for modern poetry - the stuff that doesn't scan or rhyme. I'm still rather pleased at that.

Night on a quiet street.

Strabane court house is a real throwback to the Troubles.

Swashbuckler in Irish?

I was clearing a press when I came upon this manuscript of Ciaran Carson's 'The Irish For No'. Ciaran gave it to me to read a few months before publication. It's interesting to see there are a few minor changes and the omission of a poem. There's also a poem in the book not in the manuscript.

Philip Larkin and Ted Hughes.

Maura Dooley

Else Lasker -Schüler.

Powerful piece.

Back in the 1980s I edited a magazine called "North". Like many such magazines it only lasted for a few years. One of the things I am most proud of about "North" was publishing C.K. Williams for the first time this side of the Atlantic.

A lone British soldier's grave in Kilcar, Donegal. The story is that his ship was sunk by a German U-boat and his body washed up near Kilcar.

📷Jill Freedman. Ireland, 1980.

New writing desk which is Edwardian.

I can't abide it.

Here’s the Battersea Shield, a masterpiece of Celtic bronzework. It was found in the Thames in the 1800s & was probably a votive offering. Has to be one of my favourite items in the museum. I could stare at it forever following those sinuous lines & curves. 🏛️British Museum 📷 mine #FindsFriday

Strabane many years ago. So many Irish towns had an Arkle Bar. This one's long gone. There's still one in Downpatrick. Saw it last week.

The Pig's Back

Adam Rory Porter: "The Equinox sunrise alignment at Grianan Ailigh /The Grianan of Aileach in County Donegal is one of the most spectacular ancient Irish engineered phenomena. The Vernal Equinox this year occurs tomorrow from around 6.30 am.

The poet 'beginneth not with obscure definitions,which must blur the margent with interpretations,and load the memory with doubtfulness;but he cometh to you with words set in delightful proportion,either accompanied with, or prepared for,the enchanting skill of music'. Sir Philip Sidney

Hello. Here’s a hare on a Greek coin found in Sicily. It’s an absolute gem. The moulding of the face, whiskers and inner ears are breathtaking for something so small. 🏛️ Mandralisca museum, Céfalu 📷 mine #AncientBlueSky 🏺

On St Patrick's Day. Ladybird books were published in many different languages - including Irish (Artists: Eric Winter and Robert Lumley)

We are in the north for this week’s #MapMonday and what a better place to be than supposed burial place of St Patrick in #Downpatrick after he died in c. 490 at Saul ( modern Co. Down) No. 8 in the #IHTA series by R.H. Buchanan & Anthony Wilson was published by the @ria.ie in 1997

Visions of your chestnut mare Shoot through my head and are making me see stars You hurt the ones that I love best And cover up the truth with lies One day you’ll be in the ditch Flies buzzing around your eyes Blood on your saddle

In today's Observer.

I felt very new when I saw that.

Cracking wee film this. youtu.be/0j70S1i0zjo?...

I knew it was bad, but this is shocking. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Anna Burns. Today's Irish Times.

Growing up I remember a retired bank manager near where we lived having one of these Rovers. I don't think it was ever driven faster than 25mph or got out of 3rd gear. Of course, it was washed every Saturday morning.

John Magnier. www.thejournal.ie/coolmore-hed...