Author: simon

Eighteen writers chosen from entries submitted in the last 12 months in three categories: First Fiction, Emerging Fiction and Emerging Poetry Delighted to be one of these 18! The latest Hennessy nominees

This is the first poem I wrote responding to the Sweeney myth. I thought I’d share it here. (Featured Image: https://www.behance.net/gallery/Suibhne-Sculpture-Cycle/3163556) Sweeney Defection   Sometimes a seed spreads so fast it’s easy to forget where it began   to grow until everyone stops asking and goes along mindlessly, eating   up the fruit with their mouths […]

This is the reason for learning the Irish language. I was helping out at the Blog Awards Ireland last night and the presenter wasn’t able to read the nominees for the Best Blog in the Irish Language category. Up stepped the hero, yours truly, to effortlessly navigate my way through the urús, séamhús and letters of the […]

Even though my own experience of poetry in school was not positive, this one is one that I remember with as much fondness as the machine of the Leaving Cert allowed. As an adult, I can appreciate it more than ever. EPIC by PATRICK KAVANAGH I have lived in important places, times When great events […]

My response to the Sweeney Myth and Seán Lynch’s exhibition in Visual, inspired by my first week as a dad. Suibne I study the magenta, pink and white specks, on your head and the wisps of white vernix as you squeal, squirm and suck the air.   I wipe milk and mucus from your lips, […]