Gone Home

A Sunday dinner, then tea and cake, Ties that bind and cannot break. A story told, a laugh or smile, Or gentle silence for a while. A special gift, now and then. Now she has gone home again. Someone to talk to any day, Someone to help in any way. A warm fire on a…

Not Gone

In loving memory of my father Patsy Hanratty, late of Bellurgan Point, Dundalk, who died 13 March 2005.   The slippers lying empty under the bed; The shovel lying idle in the shed; The numbers scribbled beside the telephone. A new reminder every day Brings you close from far away. You're not here now… but…

Gone Home

  A Sunday dinner, then tea and cake, Ties that bind and cannot break. A story told, a laugh or smile, Or gentle silence for a while. A special gift, now and then. Now she has gone home again. Someone to talk to any day, Someone to help in any way. A warm fire on…

Not Gone

13th ANNIVERSARY   In loving memory of my father Patsy Hanratty, late of Bellurgan Point, Dundalk, who died 13 March 2005. The slippers lying empty under the bed; The shovel lying idle in the shed; The numbers scribbled beside the telephone. A new reminder every day Brings you close from far away. You're not here…

Back Home

In memory of my mother A Sunday dinner, then tea and cake, Ties that bind and cannot break. A story told, a laugh or smile, Or gentle silence for a while. A special gift, now and then. Now she has gone home again. Someone to talk to any day, Someone to help in any way.…

Talkin’ Author Blues: My Speech at the IWC

On 6 April, the Dublin launch of Talkin' Squirrel Blues took place at the Irish Writers Centre. The IWC provides an amazing venue for book launches and other literary events. And tonight the spotlight was on my surreal comedy novel. I felt like I had finally grown up as a writer. Indeed, I almost felt like…

A Radio Interview, Word for Word

In preparation for the recent book launch at the Irish Writers Centre, I gave a short interview at the end of March on "Word for Word" on Dublin South FM. I was interviewed by renowned political expert and social commentator, Dan O'Neil. You can listen to the interview here. It starts around the 40 min…

Chris Stevens: Talkin’ ‘Bout Them Squirrel Blues

On 6 April 2017, the Irish Writers Centre played host to the Dublin launch of Talkin' Squirrel Blues. By 6.00 that evening, the room was all set up. And at 6.30 the guests - the great and the good of the Dublin literary scene - began to arrive. After some refreshing refreshments and casual chatter…