BARD FINALISTS FOR 2010 NAMED

The twelve finalists for this year’s Bard of Armagh humorous verse competition have been named and the big question is, can Liam McNally become the first person to win the title three times in a row?  Winner in 2008 with ‘Hand Me Down My Y-Fronts’ and in 2009 with ‘The Cabbage Sangwich’ Liam has completed the trilogy on the theme of growing up in Crossmore Green in Keady with his 2010 entry ‘Sausages in St Lukes’.  This is another masterpiece from the maestro who had found the rhythm, the intensity, the presentation skills and the verbosity to put himself in good stead to make history on Friday 19 November.

According to the organisers, both the volume and standard of entries has been the highest for years and as well as reliables such as Jimmy Rafferty, Henry McGrath and Mary Byrne there will be new reciters on the podium this year including Damien McGirr from Fivemiletown and Colleen Downham from Castlebar in Co Mayo.  Themes this year include hard times with a miserable employer, returning from the grave,  the recession and shopping in the north.   Tickets for the event are  in huge demand as usual and are available in the usual venues or through the Bard website www.bardofarmagh.com or email bardofarmagh_2000@yahoo.com.

The 2010 finalists are as follows:

Damian McGirr, Not Another Summons.

Colette Corrigan, And God Made Man.

Henry McGrath, The Recession.

Tommy Murray, On Being Politically Correct.

Margaret Heatley, Battling For a Bargain.

Jimmy Rafferty, Her Majesty’s Pleasure.

David Myles, A Fat Cow Ruminates.

Colleen Downham, Lady GAA GAA.

Donal McKenna, Cock a Doodle Do.

Liam McNally, Sausages from St.Lukes.

Mary Byrne, A Spring Chicken

Patrick Montague, I’m Dying To Know