Reflections on Orange Day
As the Orange Day celebrations passed off without much incident in the North of Ireland, an unprecedented event happened “in Connaught” as …
A Land Worth Fighting For
This is a land worth fighting for” William of Orange – attrib. “I fought to liberate the Protestants, not oppress the Catholics” …
Village of the Three Generals
St Johnstown, or Ballinalee From where the three generals hail Monroe, Wilson and McEoin Two Scotsmen, one of the Gael. All men …
The Fourth Funnel
Proud men of Belfast built her Rivets driven blow by blow Built with inner savage pride Workers today seldom know… And from …
Those Who Fought on That Side
Many men faught not for Ireland But under another flag And of their deeds our folklore feeds Of them we like to …
Toasting Two Kings
I was at the Aughrim Horse Fair last Sunday, and while viewing all of the horses – and the women! – there, …
The Flag
Poem written when two girls from up Ulster way came to my flat and saw a tricolour in dislay in the corner. …
The Weaver Poets of Ulster
Tribute to the Ulster Weavers…
Give Glory To The Sabbath Day
Give glory for the Sabbath Day Set aside for man to pray And from work for to stay One day a week …
The Death of Betsy Gray
Oh, Erin mourns a daughter Who was tragically cut away A Scot of Ulster who for Ireland Was killed one fateful day …
Poem To A Cow and the Poets Who Wrote About Her
Poem in reply to the poem “Epistle to Hawkie the Cottier’s Cow on Hearing She Ate the Bible” by Samuel Walker and …
The Curse of a Bride Jilted
In Scottish fashion to be wed Hugh Mc Kee to the Tavern did go And all were assembled there Bar the bride …
To Eat Without Saying Grace
“Gosh, could a cautios Covenantor Wait for the Grace? – “To The Potatoe” by James Orr If such a man took his …
His Ain Native Toun
Commentary on David Harbisons poem “Ma Ain Native Toun” Aye, in your time you seen it Disappear, bit by bit by bit …
We Are No Weavers Who Write Today
We are no weavers who write today Yet still we write in their way And similar is the things we say In …
A March of Fools
Every July Drums beat Chests proud To fife and drum For freedom of faith And a battle won By one for that …
The Weaver Poet of the Loom
Ah, says he, to work I aught By loom to sit and weave some cloth And any poetic ideas passing he sought …
To March They Had No Need
Not all Protestants have a need for Orangism, though there is a face that is not as bigoted as what is presented …