Swift Satire Festival - A Good Start

The Festival was officially opened last evening in the Trim Castle Hotel. A large crowd heard praise for the festival committee and the local community, some thoughts on Swift's regard for Trim and what he might have to say were he to return.

Then the first event which was, appropriately enough, a local satire competition. Boyne Writers Group and Meath Writers Circle fought the Battle of the Books and we came out victorious in the end. This victory maintained the 'every second year' pattern of victories. 

A large crowd attended, the judges were great, joining in the satire themselves and even introducing an X Factor element. Should I be delighted to have been described as "the Susan Boyle of Swift Satire"?

Paddy Smith was the MC and his dreadful puns at the expense of the contestants went down very well; OK maybe just went down well.

It was nice that the late Tommy Murray was well remembered at the event and that some family members were present. Also nice to see our friends from Bradford there and former Battle of the Books judge and key festival committee member, James Ward.

There should be some photos on the Festival Facebook page later, one already on Boyne Writers FB page. Watch also for the blogs of Orla Fay and of Frank Murphy, captain of the Meath Writers Circle team.

The Festival continues until Sunday night. Today sees our Poetry in Motion reading of poetry in the streets of Trim and tonight has the Swift Round Table with Barry Murphy, Alan Shortt and Colm O'Regan in the Knightsbrook Hotel.

Lots of events on Saturday and Sunday. Full programme on the website.