Neon Dreaming at Glasgow Film Festival 2025 review by Pat Byrne
Neon Dreaming is written and directed by Marie-Claire Marcotte It is the story of an eight year old girl, Billie (Maélya Boyd), who lives with her father and grandmother and is preoccupied by thoughts of her absent mother. She treasures a photograph of a ballet dancer, whom she believes is her mum.When she has to […]
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Tuesday, March 4, 2025 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Cinema, Events, Fairs, Festivals and Fundraisers, Glasgow Film Festival 2025
Mistress Dispeller at Glasgow Film Festival review by Pat Byrne
I ‘m not sure that it will catch on here! Mistress Dispellers are hired in China as undercover professionals, their job it is to intervene when a partner is cheating on a spouse, bring the affair to an end and repair the damage done to relationships. Elizabeth Lo’s documentary has full consent of the three […]
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Monday, March 3, 2025 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Cinema, Events, Fairs, Festivals and Fundraisers, Glasgow Film Festival 2025
On Falling, Glasgow Film Festival 2025 review by Pat Byrne
Laura Carreira is a Portuguese filmmaker based in Edinburgh. ‘On Falling’, her debut drama, has deservedly already won awards: the Sutherland Award for Best Debut at BFI London Film Festival 2024 and Best Director at San Sebastian Film Festival 2024. The film follows the life of Aurora (Joana Santos), a migrant worker, who works as […]
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Friday, February 28, 2025 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Events, Fairs, Festivals and Fundraisers, Glasgow Film Festival 2025, Pat's Home Page Blog, What's On Glasgow West End: cinema, clubs, theatre, music, events, festivals, community and more
Tornado – Glasgow Film Festival 2025 review by Pat Byrne
The World Premiere of ‘Tornado’ will be screened at the Opening Gala, Glasgow Film Festival 26 February, 2025. Director John Maclean’s exciting survival thriller is set in 1790s UK. Tornado (Kōki,) is a young Japanese woman travelling with her father (Takehiro Hira) – both are performers in his Samurai puppet show. When she seizes the […]
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Wednesday, February 26, 2025 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Cinema, Glasgow Film Festival 2025, Pat's Home Page Blog, What's On Glasgow West End: cinema, clubs, theatre, music, events, festivals, community and more
Transatlantic Sessions – Celtic Connections 2025 review by Pauline Keightley
Transatlantic Sessions is always such a classy, sophisticated concert with the excellent transatlantic band and top notch singers! The celebrating their 30th year!. Transatlantic Sessions explores the musical connections between Scotland, Ireland and America. In 2025 Ireland was represented by Niall McCabe and John Doyle. Scotland by Julie Fowlis, Aly Bain, Donald Shaw, John McCusker […]
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Sunday, February 23, 2025 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Pauline Keightley
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 […]
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Monday, February 17, 2025 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene, Pat's Home Page Blog
Lake Street Dive at Old Fruitmarket Celtic Connections 2025
Review by Pauline Keightley The packed indie crowd were ready to party and they were not disappointed! Lake Street Dive blend an original mix of Fleetwood Mac harmonies and Stevie Wonder rhythms. An interesting mix. With good times tempo drawing on Americana and jazz-infused soul – from Tennessee blues to New York sophistications. The band […]
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Wednesday, February 12, 2025 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Celtic Connections 2025, Pauline Keightley
Reciprocal Systems of Health in the Climate Era – Exhibition at Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow
Designing Future Experiences – University of Glasgow (ARC) Review by Pat Byrne Jim and I went along to the launch of this fantastic exhibition at ARC. Glasgow School of Art design students look to the future; exploring what health might look like in 1935. The focus of the exhibition is the result of Product Design […]
Sunday, February 9, 2025 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, University of Glasgow Advanced Research Centre
tell it slant at Locavore
Review Pat Byrne, February, 2025 Carla Woodburn and Christie Williamson were the hosts at a very enjoyable night of poetry and music – Express Yourself, Tell It Slant at Locavore on Glasgow’s South Side. Locavore has a long association with tell it slant – back in April, 2014 the poetry bookshop of that name opened […]
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Wednesday, February 5, 2025 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Music, Music Reviews, Pat's Home Page Blog, What's On Glasgow West End: cinema, clubs, theatre, music, events, festivals, community and more
Blue Rose Code. John Martyn Tribute at Celtic Connections 2025
Review and Photography by Pauline Keightley Blue Rose Code is led by Ross Wilson, who was on top form and gave an assured and joyous performance of his heartfelt and rhythmic songs. They are a top quality band and were celebrating their sixth studio album. Their influences include folk, Americana, jazz, soul and contemporary. The […]
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Monday, January 27, 2025 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Celtic Connections 2025, Events, Fairs, Festivals and Fundraisers, Music, Pat's Home Page Blog, Pauline Keightley, What's On Glasgow West End: cinema, clubs, theatre, music, events, festivals, community and more
Winter a poem by Nina Quigley
Winter and the planet grieves. Distended wide-eyed rivers watch the Earth give up its secrets. A crop of roadside wreaths and crosses tells a litany of violent death. Here the trees in all their woundedness, ivy-choked souls, redundant severed limbs. Here the huddled blinking homes, blunt-hearted hedges. There’s word of Christmas, swathes of moss deck […]
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Saturday, December 21, 2024 | Filed under: Writing, Writing for the Festive Season
Hallowe’en – A Bygone Theme by Pat Byrne
‘Mum, Anna and me have got an idea for Hallowe’en,’ said Catherine. ‘Okay. Tell me about it.’ ‘We’ve got it all planned. It’s going to be a bygone theme,’ said Anna. ‘Auntie Mary says she can lend us stuff. She’s got a trunk in her loft full of vintage clothes that she’s kept like forever.’ […]
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Thursday, October 31, 2024 | Filed under: Hallowe'en in Glasgow, Pat's Home Page Blog, Stories for Hallowe'en, Writing
Two Poems For Hallowe’en by Finola Scott
Darkening So the darkness approaches. I could talk of enveloping black of the rip and reveal of the veil of stripped furrows & iron earth of barren trees, growth numbed of days blink-blind short […]
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Tuesday, October 29, 2024 | Filed under: stories and poems, Stories for Hallowe'en
Trick or Treat by Freya O’Neill
A Story for Hallowe’en “That’s enough!,” Lacey shouted down the hallway. It was Halloween night and her little brothers had just returned from trick-or-treating, filled to the brim with excitement and of course, sweets. 8-year-olds and sugar shouldn’t mix. She heard the tremendous thumping of feet entering the house, giggles flooding the air. She looked […]
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Sunday, October 27, 2024 | Filed under: Hallowe'en in Glasgow, Stories for Hallowe'en, Writing
Whispers from the Shadows
A Scary Hallowe’en Story for Young Adults by Sian O’Neill (aged 13) In a shadowy little town Hallowe’en was the one night of the year when rumours of the supernatural whispered through the air. As the sun fell below their field of view, a group of four friends, dressed up in costumes, dared each other […]
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Monday, October 21, 2024 | Filed under: stories and poems, Stories for Hallowe'en, Writing
Parcels – a poem by Basia Palka
Basia Palka More about Basia – read more of her poetry Jim and Pat’s West End Chat – Pat chats to Basia Palka Basi chats about the Polish Community, her poetry and fundraising for Huntington’s Association
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| Filed under: Pat's Home Page Blog, stories and poems, Stories for Hallowe'en, Writing
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 […]
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Friday, October 18, 2024 | Filed under: Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene, stories and poems, Stories for Hallowe'en, Writing
Hallowe’en by Georgina Edward
Hallowe’en Many traditions associated with this celebration are considered to be modern introductions, some even claim American imports*. But Hallowe’en was celebrated long before the USA came into being. Samhain (pronounced (sow’inn) has been celebrated in Britain for centuries and has its origin in Celtic traditions as the Feast of the Dead, also observed as […]
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Wednesday, October 16, 2024 | Filed under: stories and poems, Stories for Hallowe'en, Writing
The Nightway Man by Michael Tess
A Story for Hallowe’en In July sore heat, mother and Sheila pitched the tent. Sheila drank water from a bottle. ‘We can top up at the stream,’ said mother. ‘I hear it.’ She shared the bottle. Tucked her vest into her shorts. ‘How did you know it was there?’ ‘We camped here before.’ ‘When.’ ‘Your […]
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Saturday, October 12, 2024 | Filed under: Pat's Home Page Blog, Stories for Hallowe'en
Storytelling for Adults, Mary Edward – Blending Fact and Fiction review Pat Byrne
In June I caught the train down to Alexandria to see Mary Edward at Storytelling for Adults – very enjoyable events showcasing local writers. I have long admired Mary Edward’s writing, in particular I enjoyed ‘Gallowgate’, published in 2022. This is the story of the struggle and survival of the O’Donnell sisters, two young Irishwomen […]
Thursday, July 11, 2024 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Pat's Home Page Blog
Melancholia by Nina Quigley
Nina Quigley is a poet, writer and visual artist who lives in Inishowen, Co. Donegal. Melancholia was published by Three Dancing Oaks Publishing in 2023. Here are a few poems from the collection that I particularly enjoyed: That Thing With Feathers A woman, with distance in her eyes, a porcelain reticence in her cheeks, heard […]
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Sunday, June 30, 2024 | Filed under: Pat's Home Page Blog, writers, Writing
The Buttery, A True Glasgow Institution, review by Pat Byrne
The Buttery – A True Glasgow Institution The Buttery, 652 Argyle St, Glasgow G3 8UF The Buttery, established in 1870, describes itself as a ‘true Glasgow institution’ and is thought to be Glasgow’s oldest culinary establishment. Tucked away in a corner of Anderston it’s unlikely to attract passing trade but this much loved restaurant has […]
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Thursday, June 13, 2024 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Eating and drinking Glasgow West End, Pat's Home Page Blog, Scottish Restaurants
Mika and Me Optical Studios – Exclusive Chanel Event
Tonight I enjoyed another very special event at Mika and Me. I took the opportunity to go along to their optical studio on Park Road to have a look at the new range of Chanel glasses and sunglasses on show exclusively at Mika and Me for one night only. The eyewear was stunning and the […]
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Thursday, June 6, 2024 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Eyecare, Pat's Home Page Blog, Shopping
Glasgow Writers: Willy Maley
Willy Maley, Professor of Renaissance Studies at the University of Glasgow; literary critic, editor, lecturer and writer. Willy Maley – Celebration of his Career – 24 May, 2024 Calliberations: A Celebration of Willy Maley For a number of years I’ve been crossing paths with Willy Maley, not because I have a particular interest in literature from […]
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Sunday, May 12, 2024 | Filed under: writers
Ashlyn’s 18th at Topolabamba, Glasgow
Saturday, 14th April, 2024 Topolabamba, 89 St Vincent Street, Glasgow G2 5TF On Saturday I went into town to help celebrate my greatniece Ashlyn Young’s 18th birthday. The planning had taken a great deal of thought, finding a lovely restaurant that could cater for 20 plus customers on a Saturday night. Ideally somewhere located near […]
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Saturday, April 13, 2024 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Street Food Glasgow
Close Range Coulport – poem by Finola Scott
Finola Scott, will be performing alongside other poets, Hugh McMillan, Stuart Paterson and Chrys Salt at Peace Poetry Night – a Burns Night Fundraiser for Nuclear Disarmament. Host: Gerry Loose. Thursday 25 January, 2024 at The Renfield Centre Glasgow Book tickets
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Thursday, January 18, 2024 | Filed under: Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Burns Events, Events, Fairs, Festivals and Fundraisers, stories and poems, Writing
Alan Sharp and From Greenock to Hollywood at the Glasgow Film Theatre
by Dave Manderson Recently I brought out a book about Alan Sharp, the first to trace his career and life from start to end. It came out in April this year. Shortly afterwards I asked the Glasgow Film Theatre if they’d put on a season of Alan’s films, and now I’m curating four of the […]
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Wednesday, September 27, 2023 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Cinema, Events, Fairs, Festivals and Fundraisers, Pat's Home Page Blog, What's On Glasgow West End: cinema, clubs, theatre, music, events, festivals, community and more
To See Ourselves – film about the lead up to the Scottish Referendum in 2014
(To See Ourselves is screening at CCA, Glasgow 16 March, 2024) In the run up to the referendum in 2014, Jane McAllister, filmmaker, New Licht Film, spent many hours following her dad, Fraser, around Musselburgh as he threw himself wholeheartedly into the campaign for Scottish Independence. It was not Jane’s initial intention to make a […]
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Monday, September 25, 2023 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Cinema, Pat's Home Page Blog
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
Cast A Cold Eye – Robbie Morrison
Review by Pat Byrne In 2021 Edge of the Grave by Robbie Morrison was Bloody Scotland Debut Prize winner. His follow up novel, Cast a Cold Eye, sees him one of the four McIlvanney Prize finalists at Bloody Scotland 2023. With another novel set in Glasgow in the 1930s we again meet up with Inspector […]
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Thursday, September 14, 2023 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events
