
A section of Glasgow's City Chambers offers a bit of brightness to banish the winter blues.







I overslept this morning, and it was all Meryl Streep’s fault. Well, her and Kathy Burke. And Brian Friel.

I stayed up late watching “Dancing at Lughnasa”, the movie version of Friel’s luminescent play. Set in 1936 Donegal, the story revolves around the five Mundy sisters. Times are hard, but the sisters do their best to scratch a living, Kate as a schoolteacher, two others knitting gloves.
But outside forces start threatening to tear the family apart. A knitwear factory spells the end of one strand of their income, and the loss of Kate’s job adds to the grim tidings.
In spite of the gloom, the movie contains many uplifting moments, not least when the sisters engage in a manic, unrestrained dance that echoes the paganistic rites taking place in the nearby hills.
The title arises from the pagan festival of Lughnasa, which initially caused some amusement. When the play first opened in
Meryl Streep gives a stern, bossy and sensitive portrayal of Kate, while Kathy Burke is just delightful as the bawdy, Woodbine-smoking Maggie Mundy. Michael Gambon also puts in a fine performance as the sisters’ slightly unhinged brother. But to single any of them out is invidious. It’s an ensemble piece, and the Donegal landscape is shown at its wild and wonderful best.
It was made in 1998, and I watched the closing credits as the clock struck 3am, so in more ways than one I came late to it. But it was definitely worth the wait.

















What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of good-byes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of silent maids,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.
Wilfred Owen













Drie golven rollen
Samen de haven binnen
Het trio is thuis
which means:
Three waves are rolling
Together to the port
The trio is at home
