Jimmy Moloney with Knitwits, Killarney and Dan Keane's Listowel Castle

Jimmy Moloney, Fianna Fáil local election candidate visited the Knitwits on his campaign trail.

Left to Right: Joan Carey, Anne Moloney, Namir Karim, Mary Cogan, Kelly St. John, Jimmy Moloney, Patricia Borley, Maureen Connolly, Una Hayes and Pat Barry.

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In Killarney for Mothers' Day I encountered this yoke in the grounds of Muckross House. A butterfly, apparently.

Killarney National Park never disappoints. It is the perfect place for a family day out.

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Listowel Castle by Dan Keane

Grey edifice, piercing the dark

With your bare bony limbs

And shielding from searing sun

The grassy mounds.

What other use art thou?

Silent, grey, dim

Amid such sweet surrounds;

Or art thou not aware of vigiling so long/

And yet I hear thy walls

Throw back the song

Of river sweet

And every other voice

In which your playful echoes

Just rejoice.

What hands raised

Your grey skeleton so tall

Hast thou known the tramp of men

And buglers’call?

They tell me chieftains dwelt

And great men here kept guard.

That thou hast known the strum og harp

And song of bard.

I called upon your storied walls

To pour their knowledge out

And all your echoes answered back

Was, “Out”.

And out I went and out again

And do not know

The mystery of your grey wall

And so,

I brood, a child again

And in my heart

The love and mystery remain.

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Do you remember playing hopscotch?    (photo from a collection called Photos of Dublin)

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On tomorrow night, April 10 2014 Séan Lyons will be reading from his new book of poetry in John B.'s at 9.00 p.m. The performance will be recorded for a cd to accompany his book. All welcome.

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Date for the diary

Thurs April 17 2014
7.00p.m.
The Seanchaí
Official launch of the 2014 Writers' Week programme
All welcome