Blackbirds at Ballinamuck Sing in The Trees
The blackbirds at Ballinamuck sing among the trees Where the rebels, prone, were slain, English cavalry chased through where horses could run …
To Visit A Strangers Grave
I walk in town to which confined For nine more weeks I bring to mind The graves I would visit today Of …
Christmas Under COVID Lockdown in Ireland
We are hoping Ireland is not at Level 5 for Christmas, and that churches will be open for the Christmas. The verse …
The Plague Paths are Fading Now
The plague paths are fading now That were worn by feet Of folk who sought to avoid The people that they would …
Idle Thoughts – Lough Atalia Walk During COVID Epidemic
Every street is a skateboard park The cars no longer rule The teenagers whizz in their own odd way past There is …
There They Lie Where They Died
At Drumkeeran there is a mass grave of troops who died on the march with Humbert in 1798. To see how the Irish treat our own, taking homes for banks profits instead of landlords, we often ask, was all the fighting worth it at all?
“Home Made” explores concept of home for Longford Writers Group
The Longford Writers Group – featuring yours truly – launched their anthology of poems and stories in Longford Library, to the musical accompaniment of Bernie on the keyboard, and Valerie on vocals. The anthology explored the concept of home, as it is known to each of us, and a contribution was given to “Simon” charity, helping those who have no place to call home.
Simple Prayer for Complex Times
There are those who say that prayer is dead In the Ireland of today Where rationalism and science of modern times Has …
Confusing World For Kids
Reflection in UN Day of Children. One of my few non rhyming ones, as the subject is beyond rhyme. In a world …
Ireland – Is It But a Notion?
As the Catalan Independence movement is crushed for now by Spain, we remember the Irish declaration of 1919… the events of the …
The Tithe Child of Romsey
One tenth of all – the parsons share From cows in pasture to poultry flock From grain blowing in the breeze To …
Jobstown Not Guilty – There is still justice in an Irish Court
The victory of the Jobstown protesters against the false imprisonment of Joan Burton gives hope that there still is justice for the …
Being Easter Sunday, Will the Sun Dance in the Morning?
It being Easter Sunday, At the dawn, will the sun dance? Should the clouds chance to be clear This year to see …
My Ireland
Stephen James Smith, the founder of the once epic Glór Sessions in the International Bar did a verse for the St. Patricks …
The Homeless Are Not Just For Christmas
The homeless are not just for Christmas. We need to sort more hostels and housing and services to prevent it in the …
Anger of the Water Carriers
“I grew up when we had to carry water. We know the value of water” ~ Longford Fine Gael activist Before school …
Worshiping God Among Nature
We know of the mass rocks where Irish Catholics met to worship in Cromwellian and Penal times to avoid arrest or murder …
Salmon Fisherman in River Corrib
On taking a picture of salmon fishers at the Salmon Wier in the Corrib a few days ago, I thought of Yeats …
Listen Not to the Song of the Merrow
Men of Erin, and all men, who in Erin you may be Listen not to the Merrow song that sounds with such …
Whisht Held Well
“Hoult yer whisht” ~ keep quiet about that A whisht held well, held for too long So none could tell of the …