Turning the Big One Hundred – A North Longfordman Remembered
Dad would have been 100 if alive today. While he always said his date of birth was the 22nd as the “all …
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 …
Memories of Grandmother at Drumnahara
The shaking hands that set the plate Of ice cream and jelly that vibrate With an old woman’s smile under curled hair …
Sitting Shoreside by Nabelwy Lake
Looking back through photos, a shot of Lough Nabelwy reminded me of one of my favourite walks in North Longford, and of …
Folk of the Land of the Whin
From where to the world’s four corners spread All desire to, but few manage to return To children tales told, songs sung …
Walk at Lough Annagh Remembered
A rather melancholic reflection I remember while walking last year at Annagh Lake. Life indeed tames us all… or am I just …
Still Running the Still
Still in the shed, and a worm in the field The guards are out looking for the still But the word went …
Flickering Candles Foretell Death
A tradition of foretelling a death from North Longford… From the Irish Folklore Commission In days gone by a tradition old Of …
1798 Thinking
“Thats 1798 thinking” ~ Longford phrase meaning its an old fashioned notion and idealist, unlike modern reality To think like we did, …
The Lady of Culray
She was a landlords daughter Her lover not so grand It was illegal to be a Catholic You could not own your …
When They Stood There For That Photo
When they stood there, for that photo Before my father was even born then Who is now but in a picture a …
Horsemen Awaited at Bunlahy
Background – Sean Mac Eoin told of a Tracey family related to him that had two brothers in the fight at Granard, …
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 …
The Turn Oot Remembered By Both Sides
Men of Eireann, forbidden oaths swearing Blood to shed for freedoms cause Bards songs sung of brave rebels from cart handles hung …
Let Death Not Sneak In Our Door
In the days gone by during the War On the family farm in old Lislea My mother but a child she was …
Death of and at Garristown and its Horse Fair
The sad and tragic story of the demise and the cause of the demise of Garristown Horse Fair, and as an apperant …
Gurteen Lake and the Curse of the McCarthys
Verse from another legend from Longford recorded by the Irish Folklore Commission From Clonbroney the priest was travelling Was making his weary …
Lady of Lough Gowna
An eerie cry echos the evening air The mermaids plaintive song The saying among the folk that know Is there will be …
Ghost at the Gate at Willie Carty’s
This is a story I heard as a child about a gate at Willie Cartys in Aughagreagh. My own father often could …
Aughnacliffe Dolmen for the Lovers for One Night is Their Bed
A bed hard of stone neath the sky starry above Is good enough, soft enough, for a couple in love He who …