Nell Regan has been awarded the 2026 Vincent Buckley Poetry Prize for her new collection *Thirty-Six Views of the Sugarloaf* (Arlen House, 2026). The judges' citation read: “Regan’s lucid, spacious and deeply evocative poems demonstrate a sensitive approach to place and experience. Regan’s strong interest in Australian poetry, historical and contemporary, and in its connections with Ireland, makes her particularly well suited to the purposes of the Prize. The judges were impressed by the openness and seriousness with which she proposes to engage with place, writers and literary communities in Australia.” BUY: booksupstairs.ie/.../thirty-…

"Mayo back in an All-Ireland final. I think of all the ghosts tuning in, ghosts who witnessed some or all of the eleven disappointments since 1951..." to close today, Frank Shouldice

"I arrive at the Heinrich Böll cottage on Achill Island for a two-week writing retreat like a wreck of a thing, just over an illness, my head full of financial worries..." up next, @GraceWells07 @RTERadio1 @BollAchill

"The sun rises over the Shannon estuary. All along the N69, bedecked in flags of green and gold, cars are in a steady stream on their way to the capital. I look again at your WhatsApp video..." the penultimate piece today, @mary_carrig @RTERadio1

Coming up this morning on Sunday with Miriam @RTERadio1 10am my guests are super talented singer/songwriter Seanie Bermingham, ace journalist Teresa Mannion and Siobháin Gibbons who will remember her cervical campaigning sister Eileen Rushe.

On the way, Shakespeare in the Arctic, fathers and daughters making memories and remembering Tommie Gorman. With Christian O’Reilly, Ann Breslin, Paul Johnston, Grace Wells, Kevin McDermott, Nollaig Rowan and @DurghamMushtaha

"Are you seeing this!!" Fiadh looking over Aill na searrach (Cliff of the foals) at the Cliffs of Moher. County Clare, Ireland. "Aillte" Episodes 1 and 2 of documentary now available for streaming on TG4. tg4.ie/en/player/categories/…

This week, a look back to Miscellany 50: The Archives (a special series that celebrated the writing featured in our first 50 years). This theme was ‘ritual’ and featured Hilda Murphy, Nuala O'Faolain, Eamon Keane, @MargaretHawki10 Paul Dwyer @sinead_mccoole Tadhg Ó Dubhláine.

"She didn't look like a woman who needed a corset. Stick-thin and almost 90, she wrapped the salmon-coloured foundation garment around her body..." up next, Margaret Hawkins @MargaretHawki10

"Storm force winds expected later ths evening. The newscasters voice seemed to betray his disappointment. I turned off the radio and concentrated on my driving..." Paul Dwyer is on the way @RTERadio1

Candles twinkling at Sligo's holy well on the last day of 2025. A place where generation of Sligonians and visitors of all faiths and none have found peace and solace and a deposit site for their troubles. Long may it continue. #happy2026 to all.

The Da & his beloved ceiling decorations 😂🎄🎅

Sadly, I note the owner of the Ritz, Frank Caliendo, has died over the weekend. RIP.

What you doing in this situation?

You’ll ace your next role Paul - as you did all your past ones. Proud to work with you as a colleague 👏❤️