I was in Dublin yesterday for the launch of Cyphers 88 in Books Upstairs (one of my favourite bookshops in all the world. I always go home laden. Whoever stocks their poetry section is a marvel). My own poem, Wicker to Silver, is in this issue. It was a lovely event and great to read in the company of Natasha Cuddington, Nell Regan, Terry McDonagh, Patrick Glavin, Betty Thompson & Andrea Ward. And to spend a little time with Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin. Thanks to her for choosing my poem and for her continuing editorship and stewardship of this vital magazine amid many changes. Also to Ainín Ní Bhroin.

Yesterday came the devastating, sadly anticipated, death of Ciaran Carson just 3 days short of his 71st birthday. Not quite three years ago he was one of the coffin bearers at the interment of my late uncle, John Montague. There was a comfort in it, a marking of continuance. Now he has followed him into that darkness, far too soon. My life has been immeasurably enriched by knowing him. What I learned from him, and will continue to learn from him, will surely sustain me in the days ahead. But the world feels a smaller, drabber place without him.

I joined today’s global Climate Strike in Belfast. Both to support the young people and to acknowledge the young person that I once was who longed for a social climate that would take ecological collapse and biodiversity loss seriously. I think that social climate may have arrived …

We were exhorted in Cornmarket (This is what democracy looks like!) …

… and reminded of one historical precedent to our current crisis:

We marched through the city centre …

… until we got to City Hall, where there were lots of speeches (the best ones by the young people) and lots more chanting …

IMO one of the best chants was this:

No more coal, no more oil, leave our carbon in the soil!

But were lots of serious messages to ponder …

 on a

and on a gloriously sunny day, we were warned …

The statue of Queen Victoria  looked determinedly askance of this  …

I’m not sure about God, but today gave me a little hope that these  people just might …

Delighted that my poem “Soothed” is included this special issue of Skylight 47. I was sorry to miss launch in Galway earlier this month. But many thanks to the editors, and hopefully I’ll make it to the city during its year as European City of Culture 2020. 

Well, I have recovered a little. I was delighted at my award of the Poetry Ireland Tyrone Guthrie Centre Mid Career Bursary. It is a great honour and I am especially pleased that it comes at this time for me. I am also delighted to be in the company Rachael Hegarty and Dolores Stewart. Congratulations to them also! I will spend a week later on this year at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre working on poems towards my next poetry collection.

I am also pleased to have got word from Skylight 47 that my poem “Soothed” is forthcoming in Issue 12 to be launched in Galway in September. Many thanks to the editors.

My Country Diary piece on the Gobbins cliff path is out in today’s Guardian.

Thanks to Nichola Monk for organising the trip, with Ann Lightbody and the Queen’s Uni Bangor birders.

I have just got word that I have been awarded one of these! Needless to say, I’m utterly delighted. That’s it, no further details for now, but I’m really looking to the experience and the poems that could take flight!

Delighted to have received Cyphers 87 in the post today. I had to miss the launch at the Strokestown International Poetry Festival because it coincided with International Dawn Chorus Day (a lot of internationals in that sentence!). Such a shame! I would have enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate my poem Haecceity, which was included in this issue by Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin (Ireland Professor of Poetry), who steadfastly continues to edit this inspiring magazine. It’s great also to be in the company of the likes of Rachael Hegarty, Eilish Martin & James Finnegan. Thanks also to the assistant and consulting editors, and  to Áinin Ní Bhroin.

A quick update also on Sunday’s Showcase in the Downpatrick Arts Centre. It was a wonderful afternoon, ably and warmly hosted by Olive Broderick. I was comforted and inspired by the Centre’s cat and wolf portraits! After John, Ray and myself read, and Martha sang (what a voice!), there followed a wonderful array of local talent, including some marvellous spoken word poets. Good to meet Colin Dardis and Geraldine O’Kane of Poetry NI also.  The whole experience was really enjoyable and affirming, a genuine celebration of the importance of the written word, and especially of poetry. Poems on a Sunday Afternoon resumes in the autumn.

I celebrated International Dawn Chorus Dawn by leading an early morning field trip around the Lagan towpath, as part of the Queens Open Learning programme. I was delighted with the turn-out, both human and avian. Among the choristers we encountered were blackbird, robin, chaffinch, wren, goldfinch, blackcap, greenfinch, blue tit, great tit, willow warbler, chiffchaff, grasshopper warbler, coal tit and dunnock. There were a few warning rattles from mistle thrush, and we got a splendid sighting of a silent song thrush; perhaps the cold turn in the weekend weather made them a little reluctant to serenade? Anyway, it was a lovely start to the day and wonderful to meet so many people interested in birds and appreciative of their song. Birds are inspirational ambassadors for message that we must protect biodiversity for the sake of all species, including our own.

Can’t resist a little Gilbert Whitean tribute on hearing my first one of these of 2019 this morning!