Bantry Bay, Co Cork

The very name conjures up an image of romance of the sea. This magnificent inlet has been the object of poem and song by many a fair waiting maiden and her lonely longing sailor boy. Likewise, it played host to more than one historical occasion. A French fleet set sail in 1796 with Wolfe Tone […]

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‘The Invaders of Ireland’

‘The Invaders of Ireland’(Anonymous) Should any enquire about Eirinn,It is I who can tell him the truth,Concerning the deeds of each daringInvader, since Time was a youth. First Cassir, Bith’s venturesome daughter,Came here o’er the Eastern Sea;And fifty fair damsels she brought her—To solace her warriors three. Bith died at the foot of his mountain,And […]

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‘Seven Days in May’ © Joe Canning 2019. All Rights Reserved.

‘Seven Days in May’© Joe Canning 2019. All Rights Reserved. The Stonebreakers’ yard is a cold and chilling place,Where brave men stood bar one to watch their final dawn.Where the sad whispering priest guided their souls to Paradise. Letters of despair, of farewell, of pride, of patriotism.Fond farewells, of weepings, of love, of “remember me”.Final […]

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

‘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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#OTD in 1979 – Death of Eileen Shanahan | one of the small number of Irish women poets.

Eileen Shanahan (1901-1979) was born in Dublin. She worked as a secretary at the League of Nations in Geneva from 1929 until the invasion of France in 1940.  Although she published widely in magazines and anthologies, she never published a collection of her poems during her lifetime and her work remains uncollected. The Three Children […]

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

‘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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Nollaig na mBan Shona Daoibh!

On this day it is the tradition in Ireland for the women to get together and enjoy their own Christmas, while the men folk stay at home and handle all the chores. It is also common for children to help their mothers and grandmothers with household chores and extra help.   The Nollaig na mBan […]

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Bantry Bay, Co Cork

The very name conjures up an image of romance of the sea. This magnificent inlet has been the object of poem and song by many a fair waiting maiden and her lonely longing sailor boy. Likewise, it played host to more than one historical occasion. A French fleet set sail in 1796 with Wolfe Tone […]

Read More