Testimonials, original poetry and song
Previews and reviews of original samples are below:
De Moray
The new Kindle ebook De Moray is gaining recognition and has 'kindled' the start of the Hopes for Scotland Project
"...Hopes for ScotlandThe Scots poet Paraig MacNeil has recently published an epic companion poem in Scots and English on the life and times of Sir Andrew de Moray, hero of the Wars of Scottish Independence.
This seems an excellent way to start our series of poems on Hopes for Scotland.."
see: Scot's Language Centre's website for full article.
It has also received a great review on page 221 of the Scottish Field magazine July, 2014 issue, on the page entitled A Scottish perspective on the world of publishing, plus brilliant books for you to buy where the review states:
" This poem is a 2,000 line epic, and when I say poem I mean that it is written in rhyming couplets. None of your contemporary poetry here. There are two versions of the work, one in Scots and one in English. It tells the tale of Sir Andrew De Moray during the first War of Scottish Independence. This is a major achievement, a great read and the fascinating tale of a true Scottish hero."
De Moray
The new Kindle ebook De Moray is gaining recognition and has 'kindled' the start of the Hopes for Scotland Project
"...Hopes for ScotlandThe Scots poet Paraig MacNeil has recently published an epic companion poem in Scots and English on the life and times of Sir Andrew de Moray, hero of the Wars of Scottish Independence.
This seems an excellent way to start our series of poems on Hopes for Scotland.."
see: Scot's Language Centre's website for full article.
It has also received a great review on page 221 of the Scottish Field magazine July, 2014 issue, on the page entitled A Scottish perspective on the world of publishing, plus brilliant books for you to buy where the review states:
" This poem is a 2,000 line epic, and when I say poem I mean that it is written in rhyming couplets. None of your contemporary poetry here. There are two versions of the work, one in Scots and one in English. It tells the tale of Sir Andrew De Moray during the first War of Scottish Independence. This is a major achievement, a great read and the fascinating tale of a true Scottish hero."
Lament to Donald Dewar (Marbhrann do Dhomhnall Deoraidh) and original song 'The Freedom to Wonder
"...thank you for turning up to the launch (Chapman 98) and giving such a lively performance. Your contribution was clearly well received and enjoyed by everybody"
Joy Henry – Editor Chapman (Scotland’s Quality Literary Magazine) June 2001.
.... "Scotland’s only clan bard has composed a lament to the late first minister Donald Dewar – Hero of the People in Gaelic...now translated into English...Scottish football star Ally McCoist who was visibly moved at Mr Dewar’s funeral, backed the idea as a "fitting way to pay tribute"
Scottish Daily Record November 20, 2000
'The Stirling Lines' added verses and original tune
... "What wonderful work your Metrical Mimic is. It is so well thought out....you can see why I am so delighted with your measured, informed and considered response. Thank you so much. It is a delight which has made much, much more than my day!"
( Feedback the Stirling Lines Composition by Paraig MacNeil/the late Robert Burns)
Elspeth King , Smith’s Art gallery & Museum, Stirling, 2003
Preview for Scotland the Brain (Brainheart Parts I & II re-crafted and combined)
“ This is a book that has to be read; there should be copy in every household. It provides profound insights into a phenomenon that is sweeping the land. A phenomenon that comes in many guises: some beneficent; many sinister. It tells us about nationalism. In particular it focuses in on Scottish culture and shows that this can and should be celebrated without denigrating others.
But be warned, Paraig MacNeil is not a social scientist, parsing events with forensic historical evidence, he is a bard who delves into the past as a priest does into scripture; he seeks out meaning not facts. Inevitably you won’t always agree with him. I didn’t; indeed on occasion I wanted to throw his book across the room. But every now and then he will help you to see more clearly, feel more sensitively and understand more deeply. And ultimately, not withstanding the warnings about intolerance his work engenders, his message is one of hope: that ingenuity, perseverance and the human spirit can conquer all. In this sense it moves us way beyond the limitations of nationalism and uncovers the potential of internationalism. He reminds us of our humanity. ”
Dr. Gerard Hastings, Professor of Social Marketing, Stirling University (10:06:2008)
" Paraig's enthusiasm for the inspiring stories of so many Scots innovators is positively infectious. He certainly wants to provoke a new sense of belief in Scots for the 21st century. Read aloud the verse (and the riddles) and you will be caught up in this spirit ".
Russel Mclarty, Chairman, Scottish Storytelling Forum. (11:06:2008)
" Paraig MacNeil is a brilliant, iconoclastic, contemporary bard. In a world over-stacked with institutional academics his impassioned commitment to Scotland's Gaelic and Lallans traditions is of great value. In Europe's house there are many mansions (oral tradition lives on in the mouths of the Scots people) but it is also important that this tradition has 'book permanence and status'. Thus, I believe, publication of MacNeil's recent, highly original, researches is important. MacNeil is an artist - a poet and story-teller - not an academic but his discoveries and insights are nontheless valuable for that. He opens new possibilities and creates new understandings that should be public property in the new Scotland. Celtic bards are frequently held at arms length whilst alive but, over the years, their legends draw them back to the hearth of their people. I support publication of Paraig MacNeil's new book very strongly. "
Timothy Neat 20 June 2008 Biographer and film-maker. (Author of Hamish Henderson a biography Volume I, The Making of a Poet).
I vividly remember the first time I saw Paraig MacNeil in performance. I knew that this was an authentic bard, by which I mean a poet who is a keeper of the community; one who speaks both into and from out of the soul of the people. To such is "Brainhearts" testimony. By honouring those on whose shoulders we stand, MacNeil translates their spirit forward into tomorrow's world. That is what sustains life in a peoples and their nation. I commend this book.
Alastair McIntosh, Visiting Professor of Human Ecology, University of Strathclyde. 6th July, 2008 (Author of Soil an Soul and Hell and High Water)
Feedback/Reviews for the original Brainheart Volume I
The Leith Festival Launching/Performance
“Just a note to say again. Great presentation, highly enjoyable full of heroism and humanity.
David Campbell, storyteller, writer and broadcaster, May 2007
The Stirling Launching/Performance of Brainheart (Smith's Gallery) June 2007
"I just want to say how much I enjoyed the evening. It was tremendous. It was an absolute Tour De Force, Leslie (Smith prof. of computer studies Stirling University) said the same thing, everybody said the same thing. It really was good from top to bottom. You know, the recitations, the politics, the history, the personalities, jokes. Excellent So good luck. So "Slainte !."
Steve McGrail (ex lecturer of sociology, Stirling university) now free-lance writer. June 2007.
I loved it!
George, Mair Journalist, June 2007.
Media
"entertaining and informative"
The Scots magazine December 2007, Page 648.
Daily Express 11/07/2007: HISTORIAN SHINES LIGHT ON SCOTTISH INVENTORS
…resulting in Smooth Radio live interview with Dave Marshall July 2007.
School visits
"Thank you for coming and telling us stories and riddles and the song/poem of the Scottish inventors you made up..." Amy, P7, St. Paul's Primary School, Paisley
Readership
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this very different type of book. What tremendous skill and knowledge with great attention to detail. I found the glossary/explanation so interesting to read alongside the verse, and to see how the facts were included in the poetry...... Margaret Kilner, 17th January, 2008.
De Moray
Scots Language Centre Poem of the Month March 2014. See also Bathgate Broadly Scots Society review:
" This poem is a 2,000 line epic, and when I say poem I mean that it is written in rhyming couplets. None of your contemporary poetry here. There are two versions of the work, one in Scots and one in English. It tells the tale of Sir Andrew De Moray during the first War of Scottish Independence. This is a major achievement, a great read and the fascinating tale of a true Scottish hero." Scottish Field magazine July 2014 page 221
"...thank you for turning up to the launch (Chapman 98) and giving such a lively performance. Your contribution was clearly well received and enjoyed by everybody"
Joy Henry – Editor Chapman (Scotland’s Quality Literary Magazine) June 2001.
.... "Scotland’s only clan bard has composed a lament to the late first minister Donald Dewar – Hero of the People in Gaelic...now translated into English...Scottish football star Ally McCoist who was visibly moved at Mr Dewar’s funeral, backed the idea as a "fitting way to pay tribute"
Scottish Daily Record November 20, 2000
'The Stirling Lines' added verses and original tune
... "What wonderful work your Metrical Mimic is. It is so well thought out....you can see why I am so delighted with your measured, informed and considered response. Thank you so much. It is a delight which has made much, much more than my day!"
( Feedback the Stirling Lines Composition by Paraig MacNeil/the late Robert Burns)
Elspeth King , Smith’s Art gallery & Museum, Stirling, 2003
Preview for Scotland the Brain (Brainheart Parts I & II re-crafted and combined)
“ This is a book that has to be read; there should be copy in every household. It provides profound insights into a phenomenon that is sweeping the land. A phenomenon that comes in many guises: some beneficent; many sinister. It tells us about nationalism. In particular it focuses in on Scottish culture and shows that this can and should be celebrated without denigrating others.
But be warned, Paraig MacNeil is not a social scientist, parsing events with forensic historical evidence, he is a bard who delves into the past as a priest does into scripture; he seeks out meaning not facts. Inevitably you won’t always agree with him. I didn’t; indeed on occasion I wanted to throw his book across the room. But every now and then he will help you to see more clearly, feel more sensitively and understand more deeply. And ultimately, not withstanding the warnings about intolerance his work engenders, his message is one of hope: that ingenuity, perseverance and the human spirit can conquer all. In this sense it moves us way beyond the limitations of nationalism and uncovers the potential of internationalism. He reminds us of our humanity. ”
Dr. Gerard Hastings, Professor of Social Marketing, Stirling University (10:06:2008)
" Paraig's enthusiasm for the inspiring stories of so many Scots innovators is positively infectious. He certainly wants to provoke a new sense of belief in Scots for the 21st century. Read aloud the verse (and the riddles) and you will be caught up in this spirit ".
Russel Mclarty, Chairman, Scottish Storytelling Forum. (11:06:2008)
" Paraig MacNeil is a brilliant, iconoclastic, contemporary bard. In a world over-stacked with institutional academics his impassioned commitment to Scotland's Gaelic and Lallans traditions is of great value. In Europe's house there are many mansions (oral tradition lives on in the mouths of the Scots people) but it is also important that this tradition has 'book permanence and status'. Thus, I believe, publication of MacNeil's recent, highly original, researches is important. MacNeil is an artist - a poet and story-teller - not an academic but his discoveries and insights are nontheless valuable for that. He opens new possibilities and creates new understandings that should be public property in the new Scotland. Celtic bards are frequently held at arms length whilst alive but, over the years, their legends draw them back to the hearth of their people. I support publication of Paraig MacNeil's new book very strongly. "
Timothy Neat 20 June 2008 Biographer and film-maker. (Author of Hamish Henderson a biography Volume I, The Making of a Poet).
I vividly remember the first time I saw Paraig MacNeil in performance. I knew that this was an authentic bard, by which I mean a poet who is a keeper of the community; one who speaks both into and from out of the soul of the people. To such is "Brainhearts" testimony. By honouring those on whose shoulders we stand, MacNeil translates their spirit forward into tomorrow's world. That is what sustains life in a peoples and their nation. I commend this book.
Alastair McIntosh, Visiting Professor of Human Ecology, University of Strathclyde. 6th July, 2008 (Author of Soil an Soul and Hell and High Water)
Feedback/Reviews for the original Brainheart Volume I
The Leith Festival Launching/Performance
“Just a note to say again. Great presentation, highly enjoyable full of heroism and humanity.
David Campbell, storyteller, writer and broadcaster, May 2007
The Stirling Launching/Performance of Brainheart (Smith's Gallery) June 2007
"I just want to say how much I enjoyed the evening. It was tremendous. It was an absolute Tour De Force, Leslie (Smith prof. of computer studies Stirling University) said the same thing, everybody said the same thing. It really was good from top to bottom. You know, the recitations, the politics, the history, the personalities, jokes. Excellent So good luck. So "Slainte !."
Steve McGrail (ex lecturer of sociology, Stirling university) now free-lance writer. June 2007.
I loved it!
George, Mair Journalist, June 2007.
Media
"entertaining and informative"
The Scots magazine December 2007, Page 648.
Daily Express 11/07/2007: HISTORIAN SHINES LIGHT ON SCOTTISH INVENTORS
…resulting in Smooth Radio live interview with Dave Marshall July 2007.
School visits
"Thank you for coming and telling us stories and riddles and the song/poem of the Scottish inventors you made up..." Amy, P7, St. Paul's Primary School, Paisley
Readership
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this very different type of book. What tremendous skill and knowledge with great attention to detail. I found the glossary/explanation so interesting to read alongside the verse, and to see how the facts were included in the poetry...... Margaret Kilner, 17th January, 2008.
De Moray
Scots Language Centre Poem of the Month March 2014. See also Bathgate Broadly Scots Society review:
" This poem is a 2,000 line epic, and when I say poem I mean that it is written in rhyming couplets. None of your contemporary poetry here. There are two versions of the work, one in Scots and one in English. It tells the tale of Sir Andrew De Moray during the first War of Scottish Independence. This is a major achievement, a great read and the fascinating tale of a true Scottish hero." Scottish Field magazine July 2014 page 221
