Category Archives: Uncategorized

After the storm

Posted on January 26, 2025 by Mary Montague

Yesterday there was a brief respite between Storm Éowyn on Friday and today’s pretty standard wind and rain. Thankfully we got through Éowyn fairly unscathed, losing only a couple of tiles from the “rooflet” over our downstairs bay window. Mind … Continue reading →

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Why does the bird bob its head?

Posted on January 18, 2025 by Mary Montague

My latest Country Diary come out in today’s Saturday Guardian. Which is lovely because Saturday is the day we always get the paper copy … Which also means I can upload this lovely image of a stylised redshank that accompanied … Continue reading →

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Winter Solstice

Posted on December 23, 2024 by Mary Montague

In the Christmas madness I’m only finding a moment to post my latest Guardian Country Diary today – a nice reminder, even to myself, of how the pause can be the moment of change. Thanks, as ever, to Paul Fleckney, … Continue reading →

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The Last Word

Posted on December 4, 2024 by Mary Montague

Well, hopefully not quite. I may well have more to say after the event but for now this is my last posting ahead of the launch of A Poet’s Life, Adrian Frazier’s biography of John Montague. Scroll through the programme … Continue reading →

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Return to the Rough Field

Posted on December 2, 2024 by Mary Montague

As we approach both John Montague’s 8th anniversary and the launch of his biography this Thursday in Garvaghey, it was lovely to see this perceptive reflection on migration and poetry by Stephen Colton, in Saturday’s Irish News. On the heels … Continue reading →

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The Joy of Reading

Posted on November 24, 2024 by Mary Montague

If I’d been able to add my tuppence worth as a comment to this article, I wouldn’t be writing this blog. But a couple of weeks ago, I read it and was dying to add this book to the list … Continue reading →

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John Montague: A Poet’s Launch

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Mary Montague

My late uncle, John Montague, is acknowledged as one of the greatest poets 20th century Ireland produced. While his work is loved and admired by many, I think it’s also fair to say that he’s also something of a well-kept … Continue reading →

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Autumn in Lagan Valley Park, Belfast

Posted on November 9, 2024 by Mary Montague

My latest Guardian Country Diary came out yesterday. Some lovely comments on it, for which, many thanks! And thanks as always to the editor, Paul Fleckney.

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Ardnamurchan

Posted on October 18, 2024 by Mary Montague

My latest Country Diary on recent efforts to get to Ardnamurchan lighthouse: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/17/country-diary-at-last-we-reach-mainland-britains-most-westerly-point

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Under the Changing Skies

Posted on September 25, 2024 by Mary Montague

I was on holidays in Scotland recently (with a brief sojourn in England’s Peak District of which more anon). I came home to this: My contributor’s copy! What a pleasure and honour it is to be part of this collection … Continue reading →

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