Category: Irish Poetry

‘She Is Far From The Land’ by Thomas Moore

25/08/2023.Reading time 1 minute.

Robert Emmet’s love affair with Sarah Curran inspired Thomas Moore to write ‘She Is Far From The Land’. ‘She is Far from the Land’ By Thomas Moore She is far from the land, where her young hero sleeps, And lovers are round her, sighing; But coldly she turns from their gaze, and weeps, For her […]

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The Women of Ireland © Aine Kelly 2016. All Rights Reserved.

03/05/2023.Reading time 1 minute.

The Women of Ireland: With hearts as big as lions and courage of the bear the brave women of Ireland proudly fought and did their share. They suffered loss so bravely but their hearts were strong and true there wasn’t any sacrifice that they would refuse to do. They fought for Ireland’s freedom to show […]

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#OTD in 1824 – Birth of poet, William Allingham, in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.

19/03/2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

William Allingham was a poet, diarist and editor. He wrote several volumes of lyric verse, and his poem ‘The Faeries’ was much anthologised; but he is better known for his posthumously published Diary, in which he records his lively encounters with Tennyson, Carlyle and other writers and artists. His wife, Helen Allingham, was a well-known watercolourist and […]

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‘The Dear Little Shamrock of Ireland’by John William Cherry

16/03/2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

‘The Dear Little Shamrock of Ireland’ by John William Cherry There’s a dear little plant that grows on our isle. ‘Twas St. Patrick himself that sure set it; and the sun on his labour with pleasure did smile, and with dew from his eye often wet it. It shines thro’ the bog. Thro’ the brake […]

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Ní Saoirse go Saoirse na mBan! ‘Invisible Women’ by Brian Moore

08/03/2023.Reading time 1 minute.

Ní Saoirse go Saoirse na mBan! ‘Invisible Women’ (by Brian Moore) The singer sings a rebel song and everybody sings along. Just one thing I’ll never understand: Every damn rebel seems to be a man. For he sings of the Bold Fenian Men And the Boys of the Old Brigade. What about the women who […]

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#OTD in 1824 – Birth of poet, William Allingham, in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal.

13/02/2023.Reading time 3 minutes.

William Allingham was a poet, diarist and editor. He wrote several volumes of lyric verse, and his poem ‘The Faeries’ was much anthologised; but he is better known for his posthumously published Diary, in which he records his lively encounters with Tennyson, Carlyle and other writers and artists. His wife, Helen Allingham, was a well-known watercolourist and […]

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‘The Plantation of Ulster’ © Aine Kelly 2016 | All Rights Reserved

23/01/2023.Reading time 2 minutes.

‘The Plantation of Ulster’ © Aine Kelly 2016. All Rights Reserved. We stood and watched the ships as they sailed into the bay, little realising that they’d come to enslave us and take our homes and lands away. I held my newborn baby tight, and stood in defiance of that fearsome sight, little knowing that […]

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#OTD in 2018 – Death of Rosaleen Sands, the mother of hungerstriker Bobby Sands MP.

12/01/2023.Reading time 1 minute.

One of Bobby’s most moving poems was Dear Mum which he wrote while on the blanket and no-wash protest two years before his death. Dear Mum Dear Mum, I know you’re always thereTo help and guide me with all your care,You nursed and fed me and made me strongTo face the world and all its […]

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‘Winter’ by Tommy Makem

22/12/2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

WINTER, a sharp bitter day the robin turns plump against the cold the sun is weak silver faded from gold he is late in his coming and short in his stay Man, beast, bird and air all purging, all cleansing, earth already purified awaits the rite of spring Her bridal gown a virgin snow and […]

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