Far North Even By The Short Route

I was born and raised in Claraghatlea near Millstreet Town
Though that hardly would rate as a claim to renown
Far north even by the short route as the birds choose to fly
From where I live now thousands of miles of sky
Where the Cails from Kippagh to the Finnow does flow
By ditches and through old fields where rank rushes grow
In that old countryside mine was a known face
But now I might be a stranger in the old Homeplace
A countryside that inspired the long dead bards to rhyme
Years before I was born that is going back in time
Through green Ballydaly by night and by day
The Cails from Kippagh ever babbles it’s way
Through Feirm, Annagloor, Shannaknock, Liscreagh and Clarghatlea where Finnow it does meet
In the old rushy fields near the Town of Millstreet.

by Francis Duggan