A few bits and pieces to get to in July. The photo above indicates that the rain is certainly keeping the place green, and looking at other parts of Europe, it feels like a blessing. There’s a lot to be said for a mild, temperate climate, though I’ve no doubt Ireland will also face climate challenges in the year ahead.

Books

Five books completed this month, a decent amount. Finally finished ‘ A little life’, before it finished me. A book like no other, but approach with caution. ‘Quiet’ by Susan Cain was fascinating and a validating balm for my introverted self, whilst ‘Winter people’, perfect for an Irish summer, was the reflective book I needed. ‘The practice of not thinking’ helped me establish a mediative calm in my voyage of the dawn reader series before I let the world in. ‘The trap’ by Catherine Ryan Howard was an above average thriller that finished the month off nicely.

Outings

I didn’t stray too far. I had a trip to Croke Park for a football match, the result of which I won’t go into, except to say that I try and make there’s a defibrillator nearby every time I go to an Armagh game. My heart was broke again, but before that happened it soared at that moment when I reached the top of the steps and saw the sacred turf again. I’ve been going for forty years now and it’s a place that resonates deeply with me. I was determined to take a photograph of the orange hordes around me but I found it hard to keep still when we were going well. The above was the best I got. And oh so great to be at the game with family too, and the following day I had a relaxing morning in Greystones, and a lovely walk around the harbour with mum, which eased any cardiac issues.

John Hewitt Summer School

His sister was very much in the news by the end of the week, but it was Joseph O’Connor who I went to see on the opening day of the John Hewitt International festival. Some well known names this year, Lee child pulled a big crowd, but it was Joseph I wanted to hear speaking. Most of the talk was about his excellent ‘My father’s House’ which I read earlier this year, and I enjoyed hearing more about Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty and good to hear it’s the first in a trilogy. It was only when he mentioned other titles that I realised just how many of his books I have read - from ‘Cowboys and Indians’ THIRTY YEARS ago, ‘Desperadoes’ ‘Redemption falls’ ‘Ghostlight’ and of course ‘Star of the sea’ which he believes is the book he’ll be remembered for.

I also went to hear Michael Magee talk about ‘Close to home’ which is one of my books of the year at the halfway stage. I was delighted to grab a quick few words with Michael when he signed my book, and he mentioned that he’s working on a book set in an earlier period, and maybe we haven’t heard the last of Sean yet. I hope not.

Viewings

Absolutely loved ‘The sixth commandment’ on BBC, a true story about the deaths of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin. Timothy Spall deservedly won the plaudits for his part, but I thought Éanna Hardwicke was absolutely outstanding in this as a young lay preacher. It's about how good, decent people can be manipulated by quiet charm. Devastating TV and as good as I’ve seen this year - performances, script, all top notch and will feature in the BAFTA’s no doubt. I was going to include a trailer, but the whole plot is in it, so that would be daft. A nice round four episodes, so a short commitment.

I also enjoyed ‘Love and death’ on HBO with the always solid Jesse Plemons and a superb Elizabeth Olsen, who can’t take your eyes off as she plays the frustrated housewife, Candy Montgomery. Like above, it’s a true story, and it also features a church, this time a Methodist choir in a 1980’s Dallas suburb. I’m not going to include the trailer, but it’s one of those riveting true stories that will ask you where your sympathies lie. This is a bingeable seven episodes.

Rounding out what was an excellent few hours of viewing, was the excellent ‘Drops of God’ a French/Japanese production. It’s about a young woman who discovers that she stand to inherit the worlds most valuable wine collection, left to her by her estranged father; except that he’s also included his protege in the will.

I liked how it jumped between countries, the cinematography is beautiful, with good performances all round. To my old eyes it was stylish and clever but sure what do I know. Intriguing, with interesting family dynamics, I really enjoyed this - but make sure you get the wine in for this one, as it’s a lovely eight episodes on Apple TV and if you’re anything like me you’ll find it hard to leave it at one. Episodes, not bottles, dear reader.

Music

I was talking to my mum on the phone on Wednesday night, when she mentioned that she had just heard that Sinead O’Connor had died. It caught me completely unawares and I don't mind admitting that I shed a few tears. Celebrity deaths generally don’t affect me, but this one was a proper punch in the solar plexus.

Sinead’s always been there. I was of course aware of her from ‘Mandinka’ and the ubiquitous ‘Nothing compares to you’ back in the early nineties, but it was a girlfriend at the time who introduced me to the ‘I do not want what I haven’t got’ album that I became aware of her as a songwriter and performer of some talent.

.She was so ahead of her time, fiercely intelligent and an artist in the true sense of the word - she had integrity, she was incredibly brave and she stood up for what she believed in. History showed she was right in ripping up that photo of the pope as well.

I listened to her autobiography back in 2021, admiring it at the time for being so honest and bloody funny as well. I loved her giggling her way through it (I recommend the audiobook). It becomes a bit scattered, because she spent time in hospital about half way through it, but I really enjoyed it.

I think what Nina Simone, Kurt Cobain and Sinead all have in common is the pain and anger they have in their voices. In her book, she talks about discovering singing as therapy, a way of screaming out her emotions. Her relationship with her mother, the catholic church, fame - helped me understand her in a way I couldn't previously. I can’t imagine the pain she was in after her son died.

Not only was she was a talented songwriter, but she also was a great interpreter of songs. She had the same passion for Bob Dylan that I have, and I loved hearing her talk about him. I’ve been listen to a lot of her covers this week.

She could seem both incredibly vulnerable, and then ferociously brave. A trailblazer, genuinely unique, and oh my, that voice.

I have to pick a song to finish this now, and it’s bloody hard. I’m picking this one but there could have been ten others. The Dubs won today so it seems apt.

Rest easy now Sinead, truly one of a kind, ar dheis de go raibh a anam.