Colm Brennan
@colmgbrennan.bsky.social
Poet & Writer
Poetry Ireland Review • Banshee • The Waxed Lemon • Sonder • The Cormorant • Profiles • The Ogham Stone • Arts Council Literature Bursary • MA in creative writing from UL
colmgbrennan.com
Poetry Ireland Review • Banshee • The Waxed Lemon • Sonder • The Cormorant • Profiles • The Ogham Stone • Arts Council Literature Bursary • MA in creative writing from UL
colmgbrennan.com
Pinned
So special to have a poem in Issue 20 of Banshee on its 10th anniversary. That my copy arrived today seems fitting. This is a very personal poem and I couldn't think of a better home. Thanks to @jesstraynor.bsky.social and congratulations to the whole team on a gorgeous issue & tremendous milestone.
Gabriel Byrne does such a good parody of a Gabriel Byrne interview in this Gabriel Byrne interview.
And every time Patrick Kielty calls him Gabriel, I'm screaming, his name is GABRIELBYRNE.
youtu.be/126nxmF8Fv4?...
And every time Patrick Kielty calls him Gabriel, I'm screaming, his name is GABRIELBYRNE.
youtu.be/126nxmF8Fv4?...
Gabriel Byrne: Michael D, Ireland's evolution and Into the West | The Late Late Show
YouTube video by The Late Late Show
youtu.be
November 15, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Gabriel Byrne does such a good parody of a Gabriel Byrne interview in this Gabriel Byrne interview.
And every time Patrick Kielty calls him Gabriel, I'm screaming, his name is GABRIELBYRNE.
youtu.be/126nxmF8Fv4?...
And every time Patrick Kielty calls him Gabriel, I'm screaming, his name is GABRIELBYRNE.
youtu.be/126nxmF8Fv4?...
Nobody Wants This might be the most aptly titled TV show but if they shifted the focus to the siblings I might be in.
November 14, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Nobody Wants This might be the most aptly titled TV show but if they shifted the focus to the siblings I might be in.
The Irish left today.
November 10, 2025 at 8:03 AM
The Irish left today.
Spent the past few weeks taking a fascinating course on the arts, grief and bereavement with the Irish Hospice Foundation. There's a lot of incredible work being done out there.
This is a collage I made in a workshop yesterday with the wonderful artist Caroline Schofield.
This is a collage I made in a workshop yesterday with the wonderful artist Caroline Schofield.
November 10, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Spent the past few weeks taking a fascinating course on the arts, grief and bereavement with the Irish Hospice Foundation. There's a lot of incredible work being done out there.
This is a collage I made in a workshop yesterday with the wonderful artist Caroline Schofield.
This is a collage I made in a workshop yesterday with the wonderful artist Caroline Schofield.
Reposted by Colm Brennan
November 11, Martinmas:
“Of all the Irish customs that may or may not have been rooted in pagan origin, it is astonishing to consider that blood sacrifice was practiced in Ireland well into living memory.”
Read more:
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
“Of all the Irish customs that may or may not have been rooted in pagan origin, it is astonishing to consider that blood sacrifice was practiced in Ireland well into living memory.”
Read more:
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
Why November 11th was a day for blood sacrifice rites in Ireland
Blood sacrifices involving pigs, sheep or geese were practiced in Ireland well into living memory on Martinmas
www.rte.ie
November 10, 2025 at 5:21 AM
November 11, Martinmas:
“Of all the Irish customs that may or may not have been rooted in pagan origin, it is astonishing to consider that blood sacrifice was practiced in Ireland well into living memory.”
Read more:
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
“Of all the Irish customs that may or may not have been rooted in pagan origin, it is astonishing to consider that blood sacrifice was practiced in Ireland well into living memory.”
Read more:
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
This is the building. In there again today. If anyone knows anything about the history of it. I'd be interested.
November 8, 2025 at 1:07 PM
This is the building. In there again today. If anyone knows anything about the history of it. I'd be interested.
We can't wear overcoats in Ireland anymore because of the perverse humidity.
Sorry, perhaps I shouldn't generalise but in Bray an overcoat could cause a medical emergency.
Sorry, perhaps I shouldn't generalise but in Bray an overcoat could cause a medical emergency.
Here are four overcoats.
— Which do you think is the most expensive?
— Which do you think is the least expensive?
— Which do you think provides the best value?
Answer below. Tomorrow, I will show what you get as you climb up the price ladder for overcoats.
— Which do you think is the most expensive?
— Which do you think is the least expensive?
— Which do you think provides the best value?
Answer below. Tomorrow, I will show what you get as you climb up the price ladder for overcoats.
November 7, 2025 at 8:38 AM
We can't wear overcoats in Ireland anymore because of the perverse humidity.
Sorry, perhaps I shouldn't generalise but in Bray an overcoat could cause a medical emergency.
Sorry, perhaps I shouldn't generalise but in Bray an overcoat could cause a medical emergency.
Looking at Haiku with the 6th class boys tomorrow. Hope they like this one. I do.
" Give lodging tonight, "
He shouts, flinging down his sword
See the windblown snow !
" Give lodging tonight, "
He shouts, flinging down his sword
See the windblown snow !
November 5, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Looking at Haiku with the 6th class boys tomorrow. Hope they like this one. I do.
" Give lodging tonight, "
He shouts, flinging down his sword
See the windblown snow !
" Give lodging tonight, "
He shouts, flinging down his sword
See the windblown snow !
🎵 Old friends, sat in the Áras like bookends 🎵
November 5, 2025 at 5:27 PM
🎵 Old friends, sat in the Áras like bookends 🎵
Some get into politics to make a difference but most are looking for a career path. The first and foremost goal of a political career is to attain power. The second is to hold on to it.
Simon Harris was sending press releases to local papers as a TEENAGER. For him it was never about helping people.
Simon Harris was sending press releases to local papers as a TEENAGER. For him it was never about helping people.
So much of the centrist approach to politics has devolved into "How do we trick people into supporting us like the right has done?" where talking sincerely about policies that might help ordinary people's lives is for naïve schmucks who don't understand the glorious theatre of it all
November 5, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Some get into politics to make a difference but most are looking for a career path. The first and foremost goal of a political career is to attain power. The second is to hold on to it.
Simon Harris was sending press releases to local papers as a TEENAGER. For him it was never about helping people.
Simon Harris was sending press releases to local papers as a TEENAGER. For him it was never about helping people.
From "The Gaza Suite" by E. Ethelbert Miller from
8.
the sea is still here
peace disappears once again
boats die in the sun
13.
the seeds have stories
oh red ripe watermelon
so sweet this earth was
www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazi...
8.
the sea is still here
peace disappears once again
boats die in the sun
13.
the seeds have stories
oh red ripe watermelon
so sweet this earth was
www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazi...
From “The Gaza Suite”
midnight in gaza hundreds of drones buzz like bees all the flowers gone 6. moon over gaza clouds of death darken the sky olive trees are gone 7.
www.poetryfoundation.org
November 5, 2025 at 10:44 AM
From "The Gaza Suite" by E. Ethelbert Miller from
8.
the sea is still here
peace disappears once again
boats die in the sun
13.
the seeds have stories
oh red ripe watermelon
so sweet this earth was
www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazi...
8.
the sea is still here
peace disappears once again
boats die in the sun
13.
the seeds have stories
oh red ripe watermelon
so sweet this earth was
www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazi...
Along Emmet Road
politicians’ promises
blow like plastic bags.
from Inchicore Haiku by Michael Hartnett
politicians’ promises
blow like plastic bags.
from Inchicore Haiku by Michael Hartnett
November 5, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Along Emmet Road
politicians’ promises
blow like plastic bags.
from Inchicore Haiku by Michael Hartnett
politicians’ promises
blow like plastic bags.
from Inchicore Haiku by Michael Hartnett
Spent the afternoon drawing flying bears in prep for tomorrow's poetry workshop with 5th class in Bray.
November 3, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Spent the afternoon drawing flying bears in prep for tomorrow's poetry workshop with 5th class in Bray.
More, but not much more if this is true. Who are all the FFFG heads and what the hell is wrong with you?
More people want to see a left government than the continuation of FF/FG.
There is an onus on all on left to build on the momentum from Connolly campaign.
All parties should now join PBP in ruling out coalition with FF and FG, so that the next election can be a clear choice.
There is an onus on all on left to build on the momentum from Connolly campaign.
All parties should now join PBP in ruling out coalition with FF and FG, so that the next election can be a clear choice.
November 2, 2025 at 12:00 PM
More, but not much more if this is true. Who are all the FFFG heads and what the hell is wrong with you?
Keeping an ear out today, all souls day.
November 2, 2025 at 9:31 AM
Keeping an ear out today, all souls day.
As an aside, we were steeped the history of American screen culture as children with RTE. I remember watching Tarzan, The Marx Brothers, Shirley Temple, Westerns, civil war and war movies, swords and sandal epics, noir, right up to Bewitched and Dallas. And then Looney Toons repackaging it all.
Seems mad but i would have known Roy Rogers and Trigger as a kid in the 80s and 90s because they'd be shown on RTE from time to time. I loved the Lone Ranger too.
November 2, 2025 at 8:59 AM
As an aside, we were steeped the history of American screen culture as children with RTE. I remember watching Tarzan, The Marx Brothers, Shirley Temple, Westerns, civil war and war movies, swords and sandal epics, noir, right up to Bewitched and Dallas. And then Looney Toons repackaging it all.
Haven't enjoyed trick or treating so much since I was their age. We used to say "Any apples or nuts."
October 31, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Haven't enjoyed trick or treating so much since I was their age. We used to say "Any apples or nuts."
Traditional design, modern medium.
October 31, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Traditional design, modern medium.
So special to have a poem in Issue 20 of Banshee on its 10th anniversary. That my copy arrived today seems fitting. This is a very personal poem and I couldn't think of a better home. Thanks to @jesstraynor.bsky.social and congratulations to the whole team on a gorgeous issue & tremendous milestone.
October 31, 2025 at 1:27 PM
So special to have a poem in Issue 20 of Banshee on its 10th anniversary. That my copy arrived today seems fitting. This is a very personal poem and I couldn't think of a better home. Thanks to @jesstraynor.bsky.social and congratulations to the whole team on a gorgeous issue & tremendous milestone.
Making ghosts today...
October 31, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Making ghosts today...
Why go to the trouble of selling bagles pre-sliced if they are not sliced the whole way through?
October 31, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Why go to the trouble of selling bagles pre-sliced if they are not sliced the whole way through?
Reposted by Colm Brennan
“Looks like some drifter comin’ into town.”
October 29, 2025 at 8:07 PM
“Looks like some drifter comin’ into town.”
We're watching The Detectorists for the first time and loving it. Made me realise my ideal tv show is one where I can imagine living in that world or hanging out with the characters. Early Doors, Northen Exposure, The Good Life.
October 30, 2025 at 10:23 PM
We're watching The Detectorists for the first time and loving it. Made me realise my ideal tv show is one where I can imagine living in that world or hanging out with the characters. Early Doors, Northen Exposure, The Good Life.