Poems for All Occasions by Mairead Tuohy Duffy

Author:Mairead Tuohy Duffy [Tuohy Duffy, Máiréad]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-907179-40-2
Publisher: Original Writing

15TH AUGUST, FAIR DAY IN KENMARE

’Twas the 15th of August in Kenmare,

And the trucks were all filled to the brim,

With geese, like young cygnets

And chickens and piglets

With horses that neighed with a grin.

Huge bulls and wee heifers,

And sheep scraggy and nervous

The men holding sticks black and long

Donned in coats and grey wellies,

Bodies healthy and well fed

Caps sideways pitched on their heads.

Going to Mass down the main street,

Was like the front lines of Aintree,

We were scared from back kicks from the cows,

Or the prod from a wild goat,reared up in Baurlan

Or smart remarks from the boys of the town.

We bought bulls eyes in Bessys,

And icecream from Hanleys,

With raspberry cordial on top,

We strolled past the courthouse,

And watched the good Travellers

As they spat on their palms soft and hot.

Tony Murphy looked handsome,

In his striped butcher’s apron,

As he bargained for heifer or lamb,

He told the bold jobber

That his beasts were disastrous

From the town they should surely be banned.

But the Mangerton farmer was well able for Tony,

Who pretended to walk the other way,

But back he came quickly,

When he saw fast approaching,

Paddy Dan Mick on his trail.

Ah! those were the days

When the 15th was brilliant.

Relations and friends gathered round.

’Twas there that Sean Murphy

Met his own darling Threseen

And took her away from the town.

The pub floors were covered

With saw dust and soft sand,

And straw as yellow as gold

No Park or no Sheen Lodge

Could ever compare with

The charm of the 15th of Old.

Ah! those were the good times

They are gone like the old folks,

Who lie in the grave by the Bay,

I can still see their faces

That gallant old fair day

On the 15th of August, Kenmare.

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