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
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
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
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
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 […]
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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
Secret Wrapped in Lead by Braw Clan
Review by Pat Byrne I’m really glad we made the effort to travel down to Symington, South Lanarkshire, last month to catch Secret Wrapped in Lead, Braw Clan’s debut theatrical production . We actually set off more than once to drive down to Clydesdale for the show – thank heavens we eventually made it! Seldom […]
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Tuesday, August 29, 2023 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Pat's Home Page Blog
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 […]
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Sunday, May 14, 2023 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Free 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 […]
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Monday, March 20, 2023 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Mary Irvine: Writer and Philhellene
Le Vent du Nord, Celtic Connections 2023
Le Vent du Nord brought their Joie de Vivre to the Old Fruitmarket Glasgow! Le Vent du Nord, Canadian folk group from Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu Quebec. performed at the Old Fruitmarket Glasgow, at Celtic Connections music festival on 19 January, 2023. The award winning band celebrated their 20th year with their 11th album 20 Printemps and are […]
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Saturday, February 4, 2023 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Celtic Connections 2023, Music Reviews
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 […]
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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: 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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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
An Evening With Louise Welsh – The Second Cut
Waterstones, Sauchiehall Street, 17 February, 2022 – review by Pat Byrne Twenty years ago Louise Welsh’s debut crime novel, The Cutting Room, was launched at Waterstones Book Shop, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow. The prize winning book introduced us to Rilke, a Glaswegian auctioneer and coincidental amateur detective. On 17 February, 2022, there was a strong sense […]
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Sunday, February 20, 2022 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Pat's Home Page Blog
Balloch Open Mic on Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting – Balloch Writers’ Open Mic Headliner is Julie McNeill, prose and poetry writer, The first makar of the SWNT (Scottish Women’s national Football team) Monday 9th Join On Zoom Meeting ID: 868 5436 9222 Passcode: 9XKffC Also performing are: Catriona Malan Steven Hastings Lisa Murray Diane McKee Graham Morgan Ann MacKinnon Dora […]
How Poets See The World – Paisley Book Festival 2021 review by Pat Byrne
Paisley Book Festival At Home With poets and writers: Brian Whittingham, Basia Palka, Sean McMenemy, Jim Ferguson and Kay Metcalfe It was lovely to sit down with a coffee in my living room and catch this Paisley Book Festival event on YouTube. Brian Whittingham introduced the event by telling us that : ‘a poet’s job […]
Read the full article: How Poets See The World – Paisley Book Festival 2021 review by Pat Byrne
Friday, February 26, 2021 | Filed under: Book and Event Reviews, Books, Talks, Poetry and Creative Writing Events, Events, Fairs, Festivals and Fundraisers
