Born in Yorkshire, 1945. Had a happy childhood – sorry about that! No ‘mispers’ there!Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover – Lessons in Chemistry
Review – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus pub Transworld (Penguin) 2022 What attracts you to pick up a book? The author? The title? The art work on the front cover? Recommendation? The ‘blurb’? I’d never heard of the author. The title didn’t draw me in. Neither did the art work, mmm … Recommendation – […]
Read the full article: Don’t Judge a Book by its Cover – Lessons in Chemistry
Friday, June 6, 2025 | Filed under: Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Mary Irvine – Use Yir Ain Tongue, A conversation with Ann MacKinnon
Balloch poet Ann MacKinnon is a strong proponent of the Scots language firmly believing that people would benefit from learning this language. I sat down with Ann to hear more about her belief. Scots is a very old language but, because it’s so closely linked to English, people sometimes fail to recognise it as a […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine – Use Yir Ain Tongue, A conversation with Ann MacKinnon
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 | Filed under: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
An Evening with Mary Irvine
Wednesday, April 9th, 2025 – 7 p.m. Living/Working/Loving in Greece Helensburgh Community Hub, 116 E Princes St, Helensburgh G84 7DQ Come along – enjoy the discussion plus Greek Feta and Kalamat
Read the full article: An Evening with Mary Irvine
Saturday, March 22, 2025 | Filed under: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene, What's On Glasgow West End: cinema, clubs, theatre, music, events, festivals, community and more
Dead Dog Beach by Paul Murdoch review by Mary Irvine
And now for something completely different! A genre I don’t usual read, let alone review. Dead Dog Beach – ‘A must-read for fans of suspense, dark humour, and fast-paced thrillers’ The novel I’m reviewing this time is ‘Dead Dog Beach’ by Paul Murdoch. I’ve read it twice and enjoyed it as much, if not more […]
Read the full article: Dead Dog Beach by Paul Murdoch review by Mary Irvine
Monday, February 17, 2025 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene, Pat's Home Page Blog
A Day Many Remember – Is It Really 67 Years Ago …
Friday, November 22nd, 1963 I was 18 and in the 6th form of a grammar school – Newland, an all-girls’ establishment, nestling between Hull University and the College of Education on Cottingham Road. There was an all- boys’ grammar school – the Marist – just up the road. Their 6th Form ran a film club […]
Read the full article: A Day Many Remember – Is It Really 67 Years Ago …
Friday, November 22, 2024 | Filed under: Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Mary Irvine: What If Guy Fawkes Had Succeeded…..
What if Guy Fawkes had succeeded… The whole country was in turmoil. The King was dead. Prince Henry, heir to the throne was dead. Prince Charles had disappeared. The Princess Elizabeth was said to be in Catholic hands. Thousands had died during and following the devastating destruction of the House of Parliament. Catholics had risen […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine: What If Guy Fawkes Had Succeeded…..
Monday, November 4, 2024 | Filed under: Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Story for Hallowe’en – The Denny Tank Ghost
The tap, tap of a walking stick, the smell of cigar smoke, the clanking of keys in the lock of a door no longer there. Only sounds and smells. But everyone knows who it is. Mr. Peter Denny Jr., probably the best known ghost in Dumbarton. There is actually disagreement over which Denny boss haunts […]
Read the full article: Story for Hallowe’en – The Denny Tank Ghost
Friday, October 18, 2024 | Filed under: Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene, stories and poems, Stories for Hallowe'en, Writing
Mary Irvine: My Friend Robin Lloyd Jones
Robin Lloyd-Jones would have been 90 years old on 5 October, 2024, but it was not to be. I was privileged to be asked to write an obituary but felt a formal obituary was too cold and impersonal. After several attempts the following emerged and was published in the Helensburgh Advertiser. My Friend, Robin I […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine: My Friend Robin Lloyd Jones
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 | Filed under: Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene, Pat's Home Page Blog
Mary Irvine: My Greek Love Affair
I’ve had an affinity with Greece since childhood, Ancient, Classical and Modern. The first time I flew into Athens and saw an illuminated Acropolis I felt I was coming home. I later tried to express this feeling. Not sure I succeeded. Re- Birth The first time I saw her I knew I’d come home. […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine: My Greek Love Affair
Tuesday, October 1, 2024 | Filed under: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Mary Irvine’s Blog: Two Successes
Recently I received complimentary copies of two anthologies because I had had a submission accepted for each. The first was ‘Glasgow City of Music’. I have to admit I’d forgotten I’d sent a piece in as I didn’t really think it was all relevant. However I understood more when I read the dedication. ‘For the […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: Two Successes
Friday, August 23, 2024 | Filed under: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Doreen Hopwood -Another Talented Author from the Vale
Vale author, Doreen Hopwood, recently launched her debut novel ‘A Dynasty of Dragons’ at the Alexandria library, attracting an audience of over 40. In conversation with fellow author, Mary Irvine, Doreen spoke of how her love of writing developed from a less than helpful primary school teacher to writing short stories, eventually concentrating on poetry. […]
Read the full article: Doreen Hopwood -Another Talented Author from the Vale
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 | Filed under: Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Mary Irvine’s Blog: Education is More than Schooling
Before the wrath of Head Teachers, psychologists etc fall upon my head – not that that sort of thing would worry me, it never has – I will admit to a career as an educationalist, both in the classroom and as an administrator. I recently read that another set of parents, this time in Lancashire, […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: Education is More than Schooling
Friday, July 19, 2024 | Filed under: Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Mary Irvine’s Blog: Big (Good) Friday in Greece
Easter is the most celebrated time of the year for Greeks. Athens became a ghost city. I was lucky enough to have invitations, every year, to spend Easter all over Greece. Each was memorable in its own way. The following is just one of them. Big Friday was my favourite part of Easter on Spetses. […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: Big (Good) Friday in Greece
Friday, May 3, 2024 | Filed under: Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Mary Irvine’s Blog: Neither Here nor There by C. G. Docherty
I have read many books, articles, pamphlets and done much research on local history since coming to Vale of Leven area, nearly twenty years ago, but this latest book, for me, is the most comprehensive. More people than ever before are interested in their roots. This book explores the origins of the people of The […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: Neither Here nor There by C. G. Docherty
Friday, April 12, 2024 | Filed under: Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Mary Irvine’s Blog: The Magic Scales by Paul Murdoch
I recently met with author Paul Murdoch , who is asthmatic, to talk about his latest publication ‘The Magic Scales’. Living with asthma “At four years old I remember rolling down a grassy hill on a summer’s day. I tried to take a breath, but I couldn’t. This carried on throughout my childhood. Sometimes I […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: The Magic Scales by Paul Murdoch
Saturday, September 23, 2023 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Mary Irvine’s Blog: Ukrainian Duo in Dumbarton
Professional,. passionate, magical. I couldn’t find enough laudatory words to explain my feelings at a recent concert held in St Augustine’s Church, Dumbarton with Oleksii Kolomoiets and Igor Sayenko, who together make up the Kiev Classic Accordion Duo. I’d seen a poster quite by chance two days before the performance date and wondered why it […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: Ukrainian Duo in Dumbarton
Monday, September 4, 2023 | Filed under: Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
An evening with local poets Ann MacKinnon and Catriona Malan
Thursday 24 August, 2023 at 7 p.m. Discussing poetry (with the help of Mary Irvine) Helensburgh Library, 59 W King St, Helensburgh G84 8EB Free entry and refreshments
Read the full article: An evening with local poets Ann MacKinnon and Catriona Malan
Wednesday, August 23, 2023 | Filed under: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene, What's On Glasgow West End: cinema, clubs, theatre, music, events, festivals, community and more
Mary Irvine: Review of ‘Gods of the Crossroads’ by Robin Lloyd-Jones
Helensburgh based Robin Lloyd- Jones is the author of some 18 books, fiction and non-fiction, many receiving prizes, including his biography of W.H. Murray ‘The Sunlit Summit’, which won the Saltire Society Research Book of the Year Award in 2003 His first historical novel, ‘Lord of the Dance’, 1982, set in sixteenth-century India was the […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine: Review of ‘Gods of the Crossroads’ by Robin Lloyd-Jones
Sunday, May 14, 2023 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Free Events, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Robin Lloyd Jones Launch: Gods of the Lost Crossroads
Robin’s first two historical novels were nominated for the Booker Prize. Hoping to go further this time … You are cordially invited to the launch of Robin’s novel GODS OF THE LOST CROSSROADS There will be two launch events: Tuesday 23rd May at Centre for Contemporary Arts, 350 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, 6.15 – 8.00 pm […]
Read the full article: Robin Lloyd Jones Launch: Gods of the Lost Crossroads
Mary Irvine’s Blog: Storytelling for Adults
Every First Tuesday 4th April – 5th September, 2023 10.30 – 11.30 a.m. at Green Tree Remedies, 4 Church Street, Alexandria G83 0NP Hosted by Mary Irvine Free Community Event Programme
Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: Storytelling for Adults
Saturday, April 1, 2023 | Filed under: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Mary Irvine’s Blog: Review of Warp and Weft by Ann MacKinnon
Balloch poet, Ann MacKinnon writes poetry in both Scots and English. Her previous pamphlet was ‘Modren Makars: Yin’, a collaboration with two other powerful Scottish poets. Finola Scott and Irene Howat.* Inspiration In her lates pamphlet ‘Warp and Weft’ Ann has gone solo with a selection of some twenty poems, some in Scots, some in […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: Review of Warp and Weft by Ann MacKinnon
Monday, March 20, 2023 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Mary Irvine’s Blog: ‘Blackbird Singing’ – an evening with Graham Morgan
‘Blackbird Singing’ – a review Thirty souls came along to the latest ‘An Evening with…’ event at the Helensburgh library, last Thursday. This time the author was Graham Morgan, who was in conversation with Robin Lloyd-Jones. Under discussion was Graham’s second book, ‘Blackbird Singing’, a sequel to his debut book ‘Start’. Pictures in words In […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: ‘Blackbird Singing’ – an evening with Graham Morgan
Monday, October 24, 2022 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Mary Irvine’s Blog: Writers Give Talks – A Trio of Beauties!!
Three of the Mackintosh Group of writers recently gave talks to members of the Probus group of Dumbarton. […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: Writers Give Talks – A Trio of Beauties!!
Tuesday, October 18, 2022 | Filed under: Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Mary Irvine’s Blog: Review – The Way Home by Robin Scott-Elliot
The Way Home by Robin Scott Elliot ‘The Way Home is a novel based on the true, tragic story of one family’s destruction…’ The Telegram The sun glistened on the Clyde as Gertie watched the postman walking down the street, coming ever closer to her parents’ house in Cardross where she was staying whilst her […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: Review – The Way Home by Robin Scott-Elliot
Mary Irvine: Review of the Sugar Boat Restaurant, Helensburgh
Sugar Boat, 30 Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh G84 8AQ Phone: 01436 647 522 ‘The dishes were all rather special, the service good and the bill very reasonable’ Visitors from Oz I recently visited the ‘Sugar Boat’ in Helensburgh for lunch. With me were my grandson, Ryan, and his fiancée, Blyth. They were over from Australia to […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine: Review of the Sugar Boat Restaurant, Helensburgh
Sunday, July 17, 2022 | Filed under: Eating and drinking Glasgow West End, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene, Scottish Restaurants
Aye Write Three Debut Authors (interviewed by Matthew Keeley)
Review by Mary Irvine Aye Write 2022. Matthew Keeley interviewed three writers of debut novels: James Cahill, Julie Owen Moylan and Liam Konemann. James Cahill ‘Tiepolo Blue’ This debut novel deals with an art restorer at Cambridge who is not particular enamoured with ‘modern’ art until he wakes up one morning to see a modern […]
Read the full article: Aye Write Three Debut Authors (interviewed by Matthew Keeley)
Wednesday, June 15, 2022 | Filed under: Aye Write Book Festival 2022, Book and Event Reviews, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Aye Write: Prof Dame Sue Black ‘The Books that Made Me
Review by Mary Irvine A near-full Main Auditorium of the Mitchell library enthusiastically greeted a very popular speaker who was to be interviewed by broadcaster Clare English on the six books that have played a significant part in the life of Professor Sue Black. Sue also has a very long list of other titles and […]
Read the full article: Aye Write: Prof Dame Sue Black ‘The Books that Made Me
Wednesday, May 25, 2022 | Filed under: Aye Write Book Festival 2022, Book and Event Reviews, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene, Pat's Home Page Blog, Writing
Mary Irvine’s Blog: Interview with debut author Evelyne Lawrie
‘Gie Me a Word’ An interview with debut author by Evelyne C. Lawrie Where were you born/brought up? I was born and brought up in Bonhill in 1936. I went to Bonhill Primary and then the Vale of Leven Academy. Christie Primary School, in Middleton Street, was the original Academy. I then attended the West […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: Interview with debut author Evelyne Lawrie
Monday, April 25, 2022 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Mary Irvine’s Blog: What Exactly Is Love?
Go into any good coffee shop today and we are faced with an amazing range of words to describe the specific coffee we require. Gone are the days when black or white sufficed. Cappuccino, espresso, latte, macchiato, au lait, espresso, Turkish, Vienna, frappé, filter (how mundane) instant (ugh) liqueur not to mention all the variants! […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: What Exactly Is Love?
Sunday, February 13, 2022 | Filed under: Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene, Pat's Home Page Blog, Valentines Day Glasgow
Mary Irvine’s Blog: Black History Month
In Recognition of Black history month – Remembering Emmett Till The racially motivated murder of Emmett Till proved a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights’ Movement. Why Emmett? My attempt to find an answer led to a 10,000 word essay, following much research! The prose below lays out the basic facts of Emmett’s story. […]
Read the full article: Mary Irvine’s Blog: Black History Month
Monday, October 18, 2021 | Filed under: Black History Month Glasgow, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
