A rousing set from the wonderful 'Woodbees' got us all singing along at this month's Open Mic after an international flavour from our contributors.  Poland, France and England were all represented along with nearer to home Crossgar, Dungannon and the darker reaches of Umgola. 

MC on the night Rachel Toner called for contributions from poet John Henderson with his memories of home town Liverpool. Matthew Toner's short poem  'Over thinking'. CoDown's Joseph Conlon's yarn 'Time for Kindness' and poem 'Teachers'. Up next was Mark Brownlee with an excerpt from his forthcomming novelette themed on mental health ( www.bluemanic.com). This piece, chatting up a French student you fancy when your French is far from fancy .

The eagerly awaited return of Dymphna Ferran, after her lay-up last month, was enthusiastically applauded and she didn't disappoint. Yarns about 'Murphy' , Nuns and asses and doubledecker buses kept us all in laughter.

Malachi Kelly acknowledged the 10th anniversay of Seamus Heaney's passing with the bard's ' The Conway Stewart' and his own poems 'He has matured' and 'Armagh and Don't forget me Da'.

We broke for the much anticipated raffle with some unbelievable prizes being  snapped up by the lucky punters. Then our first Polish contributor swept to the stage. Agata Banc who sang, for the first time in public, a traditional Polish song ' Hey Teksanski'  and another star emerges from Abbey Lane. 

Hard to follow Agata but our guest artists 'The Woodbees' entertain us with golden oldies and sing-a-long tunes for the next few slots Pauline McDonald, Elma McEneaney ( vocals and Ukeleles) and 'Rocky' (guitar).

Dymphna returned and her poem about her own mother passing with dementia was very moving. Malachi's piece on the Art of Conversation and then 'The Woodbee's were enticed back to finish the night with their newly found lead singer Agata who's powerful voice belied her previous shyness. 

All in all another great wee night in Abbey Lane. Thanks go to all the audience who came, contributors and guests 'The Woodbees', ticket collectors, and members who 'cleared the stage' for the next rehearsals of 'Impact' coming to MPT in November. Last but not least Rachel Toner for her exquisite Master of Ceremonies talents.

Remember Flash Fiction Armagh on in the Long Meadow Cider brewery 7th Sept as part of the Armagh Food and Cider Festival . Tickets https://armagh-navancentre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873634928 

Next Open Mic is on 29th September where we continue to give voice to talented poets, writers, musicians, and singers in the homely atmosphere of Abbey Lane Theatre.

Just confirmed as Guest Artists for August OMN 'The Woodbees' Ukulele and singalong band! 

Talented ladies Elma Mc Eneaney and Pauline McDonald front this exciting local group along with organising the ever popular 'Orchard Ukes'. So get your singing voices in order for Friday night and come down to Abbey Lane Theatre Armagh for a night of music, song, poetry and craic. Doors open 7.45pm £5 at door. Slots 5mins on stage under lights with a supportive audience to entertain , BYOB ,Raffle prizes and much more!

 Racquel McKee Poet and Educationalist

Dennis McCloskey: The singing Taxi Driver

What a cracking John Hewitt International Space Station of an Open Mic we had in Abbey Lane this year.

To quote the two Ronnies intro ‘and in a packed programme tonight…’ we had poets and writers, musicians and yarnspinners, singers and storytellers and a three ball juggler telling jokes.

Our talented contributors were POETS; Yvonne Boyle, Stan Galloway, Jay Rafferty, Ger Duffy, Nichole Yurcaba, Raquel McKee, Damien B Donnelly, Siobhan Flynn, Mollie Maguire, John Henderson, Sandra McD-Hill, Rachel Toner, Daniel Bacon and in abstention Dymphna Ferran.

SINGERS/MUSICIANS;  Theo Sinton, Sandra McD-Hill, Thomas Healy, Dennis McCloskey and Conchar White.

WRITERS/YARNS/STORYTELLERS; Therese Morgan, Joy Redmond, Mark Brownlee, Louis Graham and Adrian Millar.

 Our first ever Juggling comedian Brendan Fahy and by no means least our GUEST ARTIST for the night COLIN (Loud jacket) HASSARD who regaled us with his acerbic wit and humour in his unique poetic style.

Thanks also to our audience for their warm reception to all our artists. To Sandra our outdoor Box Office receptionist who squeezed all those fivers off you. To members of Armagh Theatre Group who helped with setting up and clearing away and lastly John Hewitt International Summer School for allowing us to be a small part of such an iconic week in  Armagh City’s calendar.

Our next Open Mic is on 25^th August Abbey Lane Theatre in the heart of old Armagh City 8pm.

Poet: Damien B Donnelly

Brendan Fahy, Juggler and Jokes (at the same time)

This month's winners are presented by Rachel Toner

Top prize £30 goes to Ellen McKenna; 'I wish' topic.

Jenny Murray ( Highly commended);  'Nostalgic memories' topic

Eugene Dugan-Bause (Highly commended); 'Mental health' topic 

'BORDER TALK'  - Expression of Interest Form

For further information on Border Talk or this Expression of Interest form, please contact Colleen Savage, Project Coordinator on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Please share! A new accredited storytelling course for folk in Armagh and Monaghan - free! https://bit.ly/446rwRe

Back row L to R. Tutor Aisling Kelly; Ava Farrell, Gerald McKinney, Siadhal O'Connor;

Middle row Lto R. Molly Feeney; Olivia Brady; James Brady; Caitlin Dickson;

Front row L to R. Chloe Steeson; Aoife Brennan; Sean Toner and TutorAdam Trotter .

Performances of 'Treading the Boards' in Abbey Lane Theatre last weekend to full houses. This group of very talented young actors are the first class of our Armagh Youth Theatre Group started in 2022. The future looks bright for Armagh Theatre Group.

This year's JHISS will have its official launch in the Market Place Theatre 4pm 21st June.

As members of Armagh Theatre Group you are all most welcome to this important event in Armagh's calendar.

Launched by ABC's Lord Mayor Alderman Margaret Tinsley , members of the JHISS board and guests will gather for the famous photo shoot in the new foyer. 

Put the date in your diary and come along to show your support for this world renowned week long Summer School based in our own historical city.

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This month's three topics for our 30-3-30 competition are

1) 'I wish'      2) Mental health      3) Nostalgic Memories   (30 words;3 topics; £30 winner prize)

Submisssions to be in by Friday June 23rd midnight. Results announced at our Open Mic on 30th in Abbey Lane Theatre, Armagh.

Contact details in body of email. Titled poem in attachment with no personal details. Title of work not included in 30 words. Word doc etc no PDF’s

RULES:  Judge’s decisions are final. Winner takes all. £30 star prize and Highly commendable certificates for runners up.

*One poem per submission on one subject. Submitting for each topic is allowed on separate attachments.

 *Original unpublished work.    Format open.

*Winner announced at next Open Mic (last Friday of month), also 2 Highly Commended certificates presented.

 *Reading by author on the night, when possible, and cash prize presented.

  *Winning work showcased on our website (copyright remains with the author).

Our guest artist Sinead McKenna got the night off to a brilliant start showing all of her musical and singing talents to another packed Abbey Lane last Friday.

Such a hard act to follow but Sandra McDonnell-Hill leapt at the opportunity to point out the irritating 

lean towards pomposity some 'famous' poets persist on expressing through their work. Well said Sandra.

Once again we had a wonderful mix of acts throughout the evening poets, storytellers, musicians, singers comics and 'poems and poise' presented by Thomas Healy at the evenings end.

They were Jacqui Ruddell,Mark Brownlee, Matthew Toner, John Henderson and Jay Rafferty all poets. Peter McAnespie,Steven Butler, Theo Sinton all singer songwriter musicians. John McAndrew storyteller, Matt McCullough stand-up comic and lastly possibly a new genre Thomas with his drawings and odes. 

Along with our fabulous raffle and poetry competition presentation a great night was had and all for £5! Next month's ,June 30th and a new guest artist awaits.

Comic Matt McCullough