In secondary school I was friends in school with a boy who lived close to me. We became friends in our final year of school before we set flight into the great, scary world of adulthood. We’d spend time hanging out – occasionally going to the cinema; or hanging about in a field – dreaming and talking big about all that we were going to achieve once we were free from the shackles of living under our parent’s roofs, and their rules. About all the films and music we loved At the time I was a fake heterosexual; so I was aware of my dishonesty when it concerned the lies spewing from my mouth about the crushes I had on various young women in my class. I was also a bit reticent about declaring my move for Madonna the pop singer – that was sure fire proof of being a bender – even back then. Continue reading Random →

The silence is over. Last night was the official launch of the 14th International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival. it is being held from Monday May 1st to Sunday May 14th 2017 at various locations around the city.  I have had a play accepted into the Festival. It is called ‘An unexpected party’. Continue reading I wrote a play – it’s on in a festival →

Other people’s night-time dreams are boring to hear about. I’ve never made any secret of my disinterest in them. No doubt they are fascinating to the person experiencing them. It’s the post-dream public post-mortem on the meaning and interpretation that is the issue for me. Analysing dreams is about as useful an exercise, as asking how long is a piece of string. It depends on the context, the person involved and their situation. Perhaps it’s just brain hormones. Continue reading I have a dream. →

I returned on Sunday from a spring break weekend in the real capital of Ireland – Cork. The outskirts of Cork in the town of Midleton to be more precise. I was a man on a mission. My mission – which I had chosen to accept – was to visit my Irish twin to see a show by the queen of Ireland herself – Panti Bliss – in the world renowned Ballymaloe cookery school. Continue reading Panti in Cork →

When I moved back to Ireland in late 2015, I spent three months in the town of my youth – Limerick. It had been almost twenty years since I had lived there. I had visited for a week here and there, while living in Amsterdam or Dublin. The Famiglia Murphy were still largely in residence in the town. So I’d make the trek home a few times every year. Continue reading Bookworm: ‘The Temporary Gentleman’ →

The theatre festival in which I have  accepted a part in the play that I have written, is looming. As the official launch is imminent we are not yet able to start advertising properly. It costs dirty cash to stage a play,  therefore fundraising is necessary. The table quiz for my play will be on Friday 7th April, in the BeerHouse on Capel Street. The festival will have been launched by then so full details about the show and its wondrous cast and script  will be available by then. Continue reading An unexpected party →

This evening was an evening of magic. My very first time at the Abbey Theatre Main Stage, where I saw the Corn Exchange’s revival of ‘Dublin by lamplight’. Continue reading Theatre times: ‘Dublin by lamplight’ →

Being Saint Patrick’s Day, I was reluctant to go into town. It would be utter chaos. Organised chaos involving pipe bands, American cheerleaders and various dignitaries, perhaps, but chaos nonetheless. When a plan that I had made, to go for a walk in the park with a friend and her dog was cancelled, I was slightly relieved. I had escaped the ordeal of crossing through the parade. Continue reading Herbal essences →