The Battle of the Books 2009

The Battle of the Books has taken place and a winner has been declared. At the final event, a Swift Cabaret, of the 2009 Trim Swift Festival last evening the Boyne Writers Group and the Meath Writers Circle met in a satire contest. Four on each side, two poetry and two prose, read their own word and were judged by three distinguished and even severe judges. A great variety in the topic and style of satire, much comment on the recession, some political satire and even some sex education. Which Mary will Fianna Fail choose as the next president? One contestant, Frank Murphy of the Writers Circle, scored a perfect ten from one of the judges.

A very responsive audience laughed at all the right places and seemed to really enjoy the presentations. Minister Noel Dempsey presented the Cavan Crystal awards and the perpetual trophy. My own offering was a strongly rhymed poem entitled The Celtic Tiger Recession Blues which as one of the judges pointed out had major Dylan influences. Another of the judges thought it had echoes of one of Joseph O'Connor's radio pieces. It may have had but I seldom listen to Joe and it certainly wasn't influenced by him.

Who won? Oh we won. We were ahead after two rounds but the two big guns of the opposition, Tommy Murray and Frank Murphy, produced the two highest scoring satires of the night and made it very close. In a cliffhanger of a finish it all depended on the very last judge - we won by two points.

Below: The Winning team with the Minister. Thanks to group member Anne for the photo.

The Swift Battle is almost upon us!

Trim Swift Festival was officially launched last evening by Minister Noel Dempsey whose brainchild the festival is. Some very good speeches at the event especially from the academics - Jonathan Swift is the greatest Irish writer? You can't beat an enthusiastic academic to make a interesting, riveting speech without notes. A lot of talk about satire and I began to worry about the satire I have written for the satire contest on Sunday night. Is it actually satire? I'm having another look at it and see if I can improve the quality of its satire.

The contest, dubbed The Battle of the Books, between our group, Boyne Writers and Meath Writers Circle takes place on Sunday evening in the Trim Castle Hotel during the Swift Cabaret Evening. The two captains above in a photo for the press, Tommy Murray, captain of what Paddy has been calling the Meath WC, and myself. Article in the Meath Chronicle here.

I'm attending the Festival lectures today. Retirement is great!