'As Above So Below' documentary featuring Anthony Murphy

One of the most important Irish essays of modern times

I have just read one of the most important pieces of writing I have seen from an Irish writer in the past five years.

ESSAY: The elements that today might form a national culture – language, religion, nationalism – are no longer so readily identifiable here, where the effect of Tiger affluence was not individualism but conformism

Read Declan Kiberd's full article on the Irish Times website.

I posted a comment in response, which I will also post here:

As the author of what could be described as an Irish cultural book - 'Island of the Setting Sun - In Search of Ireland's Ancient Astronomers' - I find myself agreeing with much of what Declan has to say. My book is what you might call romantic, poetic, mythical. I evoke a very ancient Ireland, and I feel that I got in touch with our most ancient ancestors. The eight years of research carried out with artist Richard Moore took me on a voyage of discovery, and I found myself re-unearthing many things which had been hidden, things which had eluded me during my formative years and during the course of my education. I feel that this very ancient Ireland is still alive. It is still there. The myths still resonate, the heroes and gods of old usher in feelings of a timeless Irishness. There is no doubt that people sold out, and were sold out, during the so-called Celtic Tiger era. Many have emerged on the other side of this manic period feeling that the Tiger's premises are empty, its promises unfulfilled. But there is still a foundation for the Irish soul, an ancient and almost eternal foundation. We need not sell every last vestige of the soul in order to acquire that scenic house with the barbecue in the back yard. It is my firm belief that there will be a huge resurgence of interest in ancient Ireland and its mythology, landscape and monuments. All of that gives us a sense of being rooted, of being eternal. The Celtic Tiger is dead. Long live the Celtic Tiger.

New video of Richard Moore painting at Donor's Green in Drogheda

I've made another video of Richard in action. He was doing a watercolour featuring the Boyne Viaduct, from Donor's Green in Drogheda. It is six minutes long:

The uncursing Tara - restoring the spirit of the Irish nation

Inspired by the artist, Richard Moore

I propose that the Dáil should convene on the Hill of Tara for one day once every three years and pass a few laws as a symbolic gesture to the Irish people to show that Ireland is finally being ruled from Tara once again after a 1,500-year gap .This event would be viewed as positive step towards giving the Irish people a symbolic sense of a restored pride in our national identity.

Tara has always been seen as the rightful place from which Ireland should be ruled. The erection of a large marquee in the grounds rather than a permanent structure will keep the archaeologists and the preservation community happy and it could have a festive attachment added to make it a fun day also.

The media would have a field day (excuse the pun) because this would be a truly first-time event in 1,500 years, so go for it.

The most symbolic date for this event to take place would be the Summer Solstice as this would celebrate an astronomical re-enactment of the timing of Amergin’s landing on the Boyne when he declared:
What iand is better than this Island of the Setting Sun?

Points to remember…

1 First time in 1,500 years that a ruling authority sits on Tara.
2 To be the first persons in modern Government to do so.
3 Not only are you restoring the status of Tara for the first time but you are restoring and revitalising a sense of pride to the Irish people, recognising that we are truly governed by our people once more.
4 Include the Northern Assembly as a further step toward a peaceful union.

The Uncursing of Tara

The soul of the Nation lies buried on Tara
Separated from its governing body
Join the two together
Restore the nation to life once again
As it was in the beginning and so shall it always be

One can have one's dreams . . . !!

National Geographic magazine's cover story for the June 2009 issue is "Ireland's Ancient Astronomers", an investigation into the 5,000-year-old cosmic monuments of the Boyne Valley based largely upon the book Island of the Setting Sun by Anthony Murphy and Richard Moore.

The cover image shows a sun or eclipse symbol from the 'Stone of the Seven Suns' at Dowth, which is one of the three major monuments of the Boyne Valley, along with Newgrange and Knowth.

The magazine's correspondent and photographer spent a month during the summer exploring the myths and monuments and the landscapes of the Boyne with Murphy and Moore.

'Island of the Setting Sun - In Search of Ireland's Ancient Astronomers' continues to inspire research and creative work across the globe, having sold out and gone to second edition within a year of being released.

Murphy and Moore continue to collaborate on future projects, including a more thorough project on The High Man - a giant landscape warrior reawakened.

(Note: The National Geographic cover is not intended to represent the real thing, but is rather wishful thinking on our parts!)

Author and composer swap score, book!

Anthony Murphy, author of Island of the Setting Sun, met up with Drogheda-born composer Richard Rock this week.

Anthony presented Richard with a signed copy of the book, while in turn Richard gave Anthony a copy of the score of his composition "Island of the Setting Sun", which was written for brass band. The presentation took place at the Drogheda Brass Band, which gave the piece its European debut in April at the European Band Championships in Oostende in Belgium.

The piece is inspired by the book, and indeed Anthony contributed to the composer's notes in the score which help explain the title. Richard took time during his visit home to conduct the Drogheda Brass Band through a few of his arrangements. He is looking forward to more books from Anthony which will hopefully form the basis of future compositions!

New video - Dowth, the legend and the artist

I have made a new video which captures just a little bit of the atmosphere and the myth of Dowth, the giant cairn in the Boyne Valley.