TwoMacs Podcast Ep 51 Patsy Grant

Patsy Grant - changed times.
He may not have a television or be glued to social media but Patsy Grant is well tuned into the ways of a constantly changing world.
 
His father Paddy fixed clocks and Father Time catches up with us all. 
An artisan, Patsy has a great talent for stone sculpturing, painting and writing. 

He recalls simpler times when Coalisland had a railway station and enjoying a wonderful journey by train with his mother to Cookstown. 
He has fond memories of been given free rein to write stories in Primary School, his imagination fired often including local characters. 
He also spent three teenage years in Belfast often running messages for the Christian Brothers and aul lads he met on the way along the Falls Road. 

It was in Manchester his passion for stone carving began when seeing the fascinating gargoyles and other figure heads on ancient buildings. 

He also produced incredible art work, including Irish mythology and historical figures, on banners for protests during the 1981 Hunger Strike and recalls the snake-carved walking stick he carved and gifted to Bernadette McAliskey - a story told in her TwoMacs Podcast.
 
So much has changed and gone, including the huge Chestnut tree on Kettle Lane in Brackaville and industries in Coalisland, while Patsy's beloved 'Garden of Tranquillity' that once drew many visitors and TV cameras, has become overgrown... "a bit like myself" he says. 

He feels a connection with Ireland's past and the slaughter and forced starvation of a population in Gaza, while the demise of Lough Neagh also weighs heavily. In his poetry he expresses angst and anger as well as humour. His writing brings relief and expression... and it's excellent.. much better than he gives himself credit for!
 
He also has words of sympathy and kindness for a dear friend who tragically lost his son.
 
This is a wonderful podcast as Patsy looks back on his life and talks about nature, change, troubled times and hope.