March 30-3-30 poetry competition & April's themes

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Created: 31 March 2024

Winner of this month's top prize is Matthew Toner with his poem 'Regret'  (Split Milk) theme.

Matthew was presented with his winnings by ATG secretary Byddi Lee.

Regret, its a word we all know, it can sometimes be big, sometimes small and sometimes it can be about nothing at all. You said the wrong thing at the wrong time to the wrong person, you bought the wrong gift, you were the right person in the wrong situation, 

Life can both help or hinder your view of regret, the longer you live, the less you might fret about the past, or you may start to ponder, wonder and worry that this feeling might never go away, but life is too short to dwell on such things, mistakes they all were at least we hope. It's easy to reflect on the past, but try not to dwell on it too much or you may be doomed to repeat it. Instead look to the present the future the now, all will be ok, we'll be fine, somehow. 

By Matthew Toner. 

Highly Commended certificate for March awarded to Dublin based American Brett Lemick with 'The Lines we Draw'

on our 'Split Milk' theme.

The Lines We Draw   By Brett Lemick. 

Bursts of bubbling slap joy won’t wait, they erupt with or without you.

Friends dance around fires As you read the warmth from a screen.

Revelry echos into empty shot glasses, Smoke waf ting from their matching shirts.

The campfire-crackle fades As you lower the volume from under wrinkled sheets.

A faceless figure roots against you.

Of course, you think — again, you say.

Programming planned to harm, Distance designed to divide.

This isn’t you. You wouldn’t construct a room so small.

You wouldn’t break the tap that showers happy lit tle cells, Born to bounce out of line.

But you did. You do.

APRIL's themes  1) Inner thoughts (Which one's should we listen to)

                              2) Fears and Courage (Experiences)

                              3) My Afterlife (Is there one?)

AYTG present two plays in Abbey Lane

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Created: 27 March 2024

Happy World Theatre Day

AYTG rehearsing for their upcoming performance on Saturday

Arts Council of Northern Ireland  'Them and Us'

 

Tickets for Byddi Lee's 'Toxic Relationships' on sale now!

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Created: 10 March 2024

Link to tickets  https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/armagh/abbey-lane-theatre/toxic-relationships/e-dqlybg 

Follow author   www.ByddiLee.com

Special Guest for March Open Mic announced

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Created: 08 March 2024

We are delighted to announce our Special Guest for March Open Mic is Co Armagh based storyteller Steve Lally.

Steve is an international storyteller and bestselling author. He takes his stories far and wide and is passionate about breathing life into this vital and significant art form. His repertoire of tales ranges from ancient Celtic epics of Ireland and beyond to stories of adventure and magic.

He has written three books on Irish folklore and co-written (with his wife Paula) a unique anthology from the 32 counties of Ireland entitled Irish Gothic Fairy Stories.

 

 

March's 30-3-30 poetry competition

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Created: 03 March 2024

This month's 30-3-30 poetry competition themes.

30 line max - 3 themes- £30 prize

Next Open Mic March 29th. Entry to 30-3-30 via email attachment to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before Sun 24th midnight.

 

 

30 line max with a connection to the chosen topic or topics. Email up to three entries as an attachment to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before the closing date of midnight Sunday 24th.

Winner and Highly Commended to read their entries at our Open Mic in Abbey Lane Theatre on the 29th March 8pm. 

Both winning entries to be published on our website and social media.

February's 30-3-30 Poetry compo winners

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Created: 27 February 2024

Presented by Rachel Toner our winner of £30 cash prize is Michael Kennedy with his poem 'The Last Child Married' in the Family Affairs theme.

Darren Rogan received the 'Highly commended certificate' with his poem 'Palestine' in the What Matters theme.  Both poems included here. We wish to note Paula Craig's entry 'Life is a trial ' was a strong contender this month and well received by our audience.

Themes for March's competition; 1) Spring /Easter ( New life; Re birth)

                                                            2) Split milk   (Accidents; regrets)

                                                           3) From Youth to Euthanasia

                                                             (We celebrate good health/ vitality yet expected to endure terminal illness).

Next Open Mic March 29th.  Entry to 30-3-30 via email attachment to  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before Sun 24th midnight.

'The Last Child Married' by Michael Kennedy.

FAMILY AFFAIRS

'The Last Child Married'

Deeply grooved our hands

let slip the straining hawsers

Our little vessels sail away

Not yet fully crewed but captained and first mated.

Confident we have made them world worthy, life tight

Stocked the galleys

Provided maps and compass

Opened communication lines

Knowing ahead lie churning waters, rocks uncharted

And siren calls .

As the muscle memory of the tugging fades we fear

And pray the storm anchors hold. 

.....................................................................................................

IT'S A DISGRACE

'Palestine' by Darren Rogan. 

It's a disgrace…, How are the Israelis allowed to wipe out an entire race,

While the World watches and turns away, ignoring innocent faces each and every day.

Surely there's something we all can do,

Shout to governments, who are clueless, oh it's true. 

Safe places assigned, but not safe at all,

Palestinians herded, awaiting their fall.

Like cattle they're led, to meet their doom,

All they want is safety, not doom and gloom.

In the struggle, a flickering flame,

Hope persists, despite the shame.

From Gaza's shores to Jerusalem's gates,

Resilience endures, patiently waits.

Where are all the nations now, that have power to end, This madness, this sorrow, they could surely mend? 

Media biased, their narratives spun, Al Jazeera reveals, the truth they shun.

Turn on the news, see the lies they impart,

Corrupt agendas, tearing souls apart.

Kissane trio equal to quartet at Feb OMN + March Sp Guest

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Created: 24 February 2024

Dozens turned out on this cold end of February 2024 to see our special guest Adrian Kissane commanding the Abbey Lane stage with great support from Aidan McGillon and Eoin Kelly. Great blues numbers had the feet tapping and the hands clapping as the crowd sang along. Well done boys , hope to have you back soon and maybe as a full quartet.

Next month's Special Guest is the internationally renowned storyteller Steve Lally.  A native of Kildare and now an adopted son of South Armagh, Steve is also a bestselling author.

He takes his stories far and wide and is passionate about breathing life into this vital and significant art form. His repertoire of tales ranges from ancient Celtic epics of Ireland and beyond to stories of adventure and magic. 

He has written three books on Irish folklore and co-written (with his wife Paula) a unique anthology from the 32 counties of Ireland entitled 'Irish Gothic Fairy Stories' Dairy date 29th March 8pm Abbey Lane Theatre Armagh

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Special guests for Feb Open Mic announced

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Created: 15 February 2024

https://youtu.be/K36hNWLOD94?si=K0JhwjkWUecQpGat

Copy the link above for Adrian Kissane Quartet 'The Way it Goes' and see them live at Abbey Lane Open Mic  Night 

next week Friday 23rd. Doors open 7.45pm £5 entrance; BYOB ; 5 min slots on stage under lights to an appreciative and friendly audience.

Poetry competition results; famous raffle and guarenteed best Open Mic around.

Extended deadline for Feb poetry entries

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Created: 02 February 2024

 EXTENDED DEADLINE to 19th Feb midnight.

This month's poetry competition for the £30 cash prize has its three topics of

1) What matters is.

2) Family affairs.

3) It's a disgrace.......(start of poem)

30 line max with a connection to the chosen topic or topics. Email up to three entries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before

the closing date of midnight 19th Feb. Winner and Highly Commended to read their entries at our Open Mic in Abbey Lane Theatre on the 24th Feb.

 

January winner Jordan Rafferty with his Friendship poem

 

'Your Blade'

The American asked me where that had come from,

how articulate alchemy turns a woman to steel

on a culchie’s tongue. He looked at me like I was

an archive of Irish diction to flick through and titter

over at leisure. The tinkling tang of accented English

tickled him. It’s why we were friends in the first place.

Blade, preceded by Biddie, preceding

Bridie and Doll and Dose. The American thought

too much of my talents. I’m a dictionary with no

descriptions, a collection of colloquial chorus,

a live reading in an echo chamber, that same

echo chamber that taught me to speak with

-out any kind of certain etymology.

Well, you see (I began to bullshit) consider

both in naïve hands. Sharp and dangerous.

That got him. Wit beats truth in the American

mind anytime. His poor partner. He called her Blade

then and forever after. I’d armed an Eejit.

 

 

Highly Commended; Ellen McKenna

My Favourite Walk.

 

My favourite walk would have to be

Along the strand, down by the sea.

Removing my shoes to dip my toes,

Always wary of strong undertows.

The gritty sand beneath my feet,

The tang of ozone in the heat.

The breeze blows spray onto my face,

As large waves along the shore do race.

Brave white horses jostling for room,

Before they die within the spume.

Above my head the sea birds soar,

Wheeling and dancing to their own score.

Their cries sound strident to my ear

As they fly free, with little to fear.

Plover scurry between the stones,

Along with oystercatcher and terns.

There are such treasures to be found,

Where shells and pebbles all abound.

Shading my eyes, I stop and loiter,

As sunlight sparkles on the water.

I stand and gaze to lands far away,

And allow my thoughts to stray,

As I think of all who are lost at sea,

How cruel and heartless it can be.

But then, as I taste the salt of brine,

I enjoy this precious moment in time.

Oh yes, my favourite walk would have to be,

Along the strand, down by the sea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More from the 'Mini Plays' performances

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Created: 29 January 2024