Michael Sands - Pen for Hire 'License to Quill'

14/12/2022

Irish classes available via Zoom. A great Christmas present!

Gaelicgoers.com

14/12/2018

If you'd like a special Christmas poem for a loved one get in touch.

04/08/2016

Happy to say I've been asked to write some lines of poetry for an upcoming TV show. More details soon...

04/08/2016

Happy to say I've been asked to write some lines of poetry for an upcoming TV show! More details soon :-)

29/10/2015

Please see below an example of the Poetry in Music Collection. Thanks to Julie's fantastic photo. As you can see words and pictures are a powerful combination. If you'd like one for yourself or a friend please get in touch! Choice of 12 instruments so far.

28/10/2015

The Poetry of Music Collection is almost here. We are currently finalising our layout etc. The poem of your choice from the unique musical series, will be framed, signed and printed in Celtic font along with a photo of YOU playing whichever instrument you choose. Examples up shortly. Get in touch!!

01/10/2015

We are getting some very special drawings done at the moment of instruments to accompany the poems. However, YOU can provide the picture if you wish and send it to me e.g. the person playing the instrument. Preferably black and white. We'll build the poem around it then. See below for some examples of what we mean.

28/03/2015

Another satisfied customer! Remember for all your impending penning needs...Give me a call ;)

10/03/2015

Well, here are the first nine poems featuring instruments prominent in Irish traditional music. Is yours among them? Framed and signed versions out soon.

10/03/2015

The Pipes (for Patrick O'Hare)

It begins at the elbow. And with straps all tightened
he’ll fill the bag. Deep draws of breath like frightened

gasps until the pressure is just so. Almost there.
But the tapping must follow. Tuning the air

trapped in drones, regulators and chanter.
It rushes out in mixed pitches, unique reedy banter,

the sound of ages. At last the time has come.
The air store squeezed as if persuading some

delicate terror. The bellows swiftly supply
wind suddenly released over the reed to fly

gloriously. Oh what sound. The rasp, cut and squeal
of freedom itself. But it must come to heal.

Quickly his fingers steer and clear the path
of familiar breezes wrapped in fire and wrath.

Still he pumps and the lower elements are heard
like an earthen growl. All working together

defying the world, captivity and restrain.
The pipes...how I long to hear them once again.

18/01/2015

Excited to announce an innovative and original series of poems on Irish traditional musical instruments. This hasn't been done before! The pieces will be signed, framed with picture (not of me thankfully, the instrument ;-)) and dedicated personally if required. An example here http://jottify.com/works/fiddle/ of what I mean. We'll be selling these unique pieces at fleadhs n festivals this summer. Please get in touch if you would like one. Instruments covered are flute, banjo, pipes, concertina, fiddle, harp so far with accordion, bodhrán, guitar, mandolin and whistle to come. Will post finished product shortly. See ya!

28/10/2014

http://www.writing.ie/member-authors/michael-sands/ Need a speech? A story? A poem? Please get in touch.

The home of Irish writing online