'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.

887 likes • 1K followers We.ve reached the 1000th follower on Facebook!

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 *Original unpublished work.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

We are delighted to announce the results of our In House poetry competition for May.

Winner of the prize money was Jay Rafferty and Highhly Commended Jacqui Ruddell. Absent for the presentation and also

recipients of certificates Mollie Maguire and Stephen McStravick. Many congratulations to all who participated 

June's 3 topics are;  1) 'I Wish'      2) Mental Health   3) Nostalgic Memories.

All the usual rules apply, 30 words, 3 topic and £30 prize money. Send entrants to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your titled submissions on attachments. Pick one topic or all three and submissions must be in by Friday 23rd June midnight.

All finalists work posted on our website and Social media pages remains the writers property.

Snobbery by Jay Rafferty

A stain glass snout snorts

wet over the town. Contemptuous,

holier than thou, a pedigree of mortar

and sandstone. Like its clear glassed

siblings weren’t hewn in the same quarry.

******************    

Hello by Jacqui Ruddell

“Hello mum,

It’s late, I cannot sleep, 

My heart feels numb

I’ve tried counting sheep

Now you are gone

I message your phone;

‘Wish you knew

I sorely miss you’” 

******************************  

• 1) HOME ;   by Mollie Maguire

Just Getting Home

Aroma of Sunday roast fills the air.

Laughter bellowing throughout the house.

Witnessing smiles released from faces.

Rapidly wrapped in loving arms.

Scrumptious flavours enrapture my taste buds.

I’m home. 

********************************  

GOOD AND EVIL.  by Stephen McStravick

LOCK UP YOUR CHILDREN

IT’S EVIL WITH A “ D”

DEVIL’S MUSIC.

COTTON BLACK POOR BLUES

JUMPED THE FIELDS AND CAME TO TOWN.

THE RIGHTEOUS WHITE ARE ALL SHOOK UP

AHUH-HUH !

It was a miracle that such a mountain of stones moved at all as the crowds that gathered at Abbey Lane last evening  for the ceremony could barely move themselves. 

A feeling of disbelief and doubt was evident as the first bucket of stones strained sinews and forced sweat drips before it had reached its destination 10 meters away.

This task was then repeated for the next 2 hours as a gentle breeze cooled our brows. Even an unexpected shower was welcomed

as shovels scraped and dragged filling the galvanised buckets to the beat of a chain gang melody. 

The mountain of granite chippings sunk to a hill, then a mound, spirits rose and energies were  renewed as the completion of our task neared. 

Then a call from the 'coalface' 10mtrs away, ''we need more stones! It won't be finished tonight''

A cry rang out of the crowd.

''I have piles at home.....( we looked at each other thinking -Don't we all?).....of stones I mean''

A true miracle, our saviour among us and he is offering us FREE stones to complete the ceremony.

And we did and all lived very sore ever after.

Next Open Mic is ,of course on the 28th of April, not as previously posted 24th!

The month of March winner of our 30/3/30 poetry competition is Sandra Mc Donnell-Hill with her poem 'Lost in Change' from topic ;  Changed Times.

Sandra has only recently returned to writing poetry and it is us that benefits from her reborn urge to write.

Sandra (centre) receiving her prize from guest artist Colin Hassard. Highly commended certificates were also given to 

Dymphna Ferran and John Mc Andrew.

Sandra's obvious clarity of thought and feeling are evident here in her winning submission.