May's 30-3-30 Poetry Competition winners

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Created: 28 May 2023

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 !

This Friday is Open Mic Night! Guest Sinead McKenna

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Created: 24 May 2023

This Friday 8pm Abbey Lane Theatre Armagh City guest artist the multi talented fiddler Sinead McKenna. Doors open 7.45pm £5 BYOB. A warm welcome awaits all performers. An event for all the community.

May's special guest - Sinead McKenna

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Created: 17 May 2023

One of Augher's most talented daughters is Sinead McKenna. This renowned singer-songwriter, trad musician and champion fiddle player is our guest artist for this month's Open Mic on the 26th. 

Sinead was one of a few dozen exceedingly-talented Irish musicians and dancers chosen to fly to Dubai to represent the Emerald Isle at the World Expo recently. 

The launch of her album is due in the coming days and if you are lucky enough to get in to Abbey Lane you can hear those songs and tunes played live.  This young lady's talents are not to be missed and Armagh Theatre Group are chuffed Sinead has accepted our invite as Guest Artist for May's Open Mic Night.

Open Mic guest artist for March 31st announced

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Created: 18 March 2023

After 4 years in excile Abbey Lane welcome the return of Colin Hassard , Banbridge's world famous musical poet.

Our scene of a packed Abbey Lane Theatre from 2019 will remind you how popular Colin is with our audience. Now an established international author with is debut poetry collection  'Age of the Microwave Dinner' in 2021 Colin now ranks as the 16th most famous person from Banbridge.

With the results of this month's 30/3/30 poetry competition, raffle, BYOB and a host of talented participants  + OUR GUEST all for £5....get there early.     STILL TIME TO ENTER 30/3/30 competition...deadline 24th March email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. See all the details on this website or FB Armagh Theatre Groupatg.

'Ain't no mountain high enough......'

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Created: 13 March 2023

Ain't no mountain high enough...

Hugh thanks to Marian Rafferty ( the famous Rafferty's of Ballymacnab) and friends in there fund raising efforts climbing the Banks of Seagahan Dam...No no no wrong!
The heights of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. A mere 19,341 ft. Well done to you and this HUGH CONGRATULATIONS for achieving your goal. ATG is very grateful for your wonderful donation of £550 towards our funds. Just giving page is closed, thanks to all who supported Marian.

30/3/30 MARCH competition topics

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Created: 26 February 2023

After a successful launch on Friday's Open Mic we look towards March 31st as our next date for Open Mic and the 

30/3/30 poetry competition; 30 words /3 topics /£30 prize. The three topics for March are

1) SECRETS                                2) WAR                               3) CHANGED TIMES.

 

 

 

First 30/3/30 poetry competition awards presented

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Created: 25 February 2023

Rachel Toner presents Lily Rose , Eugene and Joe  their awards at  Abbey Lane Theatre's inaugural poetry competition which kicked off February's Open Mic.

Lily Rose Conway was delighted to be presented with our cash prize for overall winner.

'Great Oak'. on the topic Nature, was the unanimous winner among the judges and  Lily Rose read out her poem in front of a full house . 

Highly commended certificates were awarded to Eugene Dugan-Brause for his 'Deadlock Deja Vu' on the topic Groundhog Day and Joe McGinley's

'Three in to two' on the topic Loves Triangle. 

We would like to acknowledge all the poets who submitted to the competition and to such a high standard throughout.

'Great Oak'    by LilyRose Conway.

Sharp snaps, halted tracks

Soaring oak, old as ages,

Painfully bent, barraged,

Felled at hands of men.

Groaning surrender,

Sinfully fascinating sight,

This timeless majesty slain,

Joining its neighbours blight.

                  ***

'Deadlock Deja Vu' by Eugene Dugan-Brause

Border on water

Border on land

Border in the government

Dwelling of the damned.

You who share power,

show us the way.

Probably not. Likely not.

Not on Groundhog Day.

             *** 

'Three in to two' by Joe McGinley

A big thanks for all submissions of 30/3/30

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Created: 23 February 2023

Armagh Theatre Group are  delighted with the response to our new poetry competition 30/3/30.

We would love to see all participants at tomorrow nights Open Mic if possible but can we give you a big

for all your submissions. The standard of poetry was very high and a great spread over the 3 topics which gave the 

judges a torturous time picking a winner. Highly commendable certificates  will therefore be presenting to 3 runners up in each topic.

So hope to see as many poets as possible and thanks once again for making this inaugeral 30/3/30 a success.

This Friday our famous Open Mic Night - Don't miss

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Created: 20 February 2023

Start 8pm Limited seating!

Poetry Compo submissions end 17th Feb

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Created: 16 February 2023

Our poetry competition  30/3/30 (30 words/3 topics to choose/ £30 for winner) closes tomorrow night at midnight for submissions.

If you are thinking of entering get your finger out and get your submissions in!