A Tribute to Bernard O’Donoghue’s Poetry on 28th/29th June
Tag: poetry
Poets’ Trees Kanturk Arts Festival Wants YOUR Poems
POETS’ TREES Kanturk Arts Festival wants YOUR poems NOW. Kanturk Arts Festival is looking for your poems for its summer project Poets’ Trees. So whether you are, young, young at heart or anything in between, please get writing on any topic of your choice. The poems will be hung on the magnificent trees in O Brien Street Park for the month of June. Don’t want your name to appear – no bother, just mention that to us in your email. You can submit as many poems as you like. So c’mon, get cracking!!! Only two conditions: Poem must be NOT more than eighteen lines Get it to us NOT later than May 25th.
Submit at kanturkarts @gmail.com
We thank Mary Angland for this Culture Notice. (S.R.)
A COVID Lockdown Poem
“Radio Treasures” On Air Tonight on CMS from 9.30 to 11.00
“Radio Treasures” is on air tonight (Tues., 1st Dec. 2020) on Cork Music Station from 9.30 to 11.00. We feature our regular items with a splendid blend of uplifting songs and music… tonight we feature a selection of songs and music with lots of variety as well as lots of interesting musings and words of wisdom. Highlights of tonight’s programme:
- At 10pm the Virtual Launch of Millstreet Town’s Spectacular Christmas Lights by Niamh and Noreen Twomey of the Dedicated Organising Committee.
- Reciting of Cork’s Tony Tobin’s recently composed Poem in honour of the Star of last weekend’s “Late Late Toy Show” – Adam King from Youghal.
- Broadcasting a repeat of William Fitzgerald’s superb Tribute to the late Dale Haze of the Champion Showband…..From 11pm to midnight following “Radio Treasures”.
- Colin Paul’s splendid CDs.
- “On this day” feature for today Tuesday, 1st. Dec..
- Lots of Christmas music and songs as we begin December.
Niall and Katie O’Connor at their home in Clara Road. Both are members of the Millstreet Christmas Lights Committee. 
Noreen and Pat from Millstreet Tidy Towns add further magic to Christmas in Millstreet. 
We chat about the images above. Feel most welcome to contact the Show on corkmusicstation @gmail.com …. On Facebook (Seán Radley) …Or WhatsApp or text 086 825 0074. Happy Listening! (S.R.)
[read more …] ““Radio Treasures” On Air Tonight on CMS from 9.30 to 11.00″
“Aghinagh’s Vincent Coakley” by Francis Duggan
Poet supreme, Francis Duggan composed this very special poem some time ago remembering Vincent Coakley. Vincent went to his Eternal Reward during this past week. R.I.P.. We thank Con Meade for alerting us to this truly superb poem. (S.R.)
A tall and classy Gaelic footballer the midfielder complete
Aghinagh’s Vincent Coakley played for Aghinagh and Cork and Millstreet
He and Kippagh’s Con O’Connor the best midfielders in Cork at their best
Were never found to be wanting when put to the test
Though this is going back some three decades in time
I remember Vincent Coakley in his physical prime
For Millstreet he gave many a memorable display
Perhaps in his dark hair there is gray today
Beyond Aghinagh he is one widely known
The Millstreet fans did claim Vincent for their own
And why not they for he was a fine sporting player
Not many at his best who with him could hope to compare
On Sundays in Summer in Seasons long gone
In Cork County Championship games in Coachford and Macroom we cheered Millstreet on
Though down on the scoreboard the Finnowsiders were fighting back
With O’Connor and Coakley at midfield sending them to attack
[read more …] ““Aghinagh’s Vincent Coakley” by Francis Duggan”
“Radio Treasures” On Air Tonight on CMS from 9.30 to 11.00
“Radio Treasures” is on air tonight (Tues., 27th Oct. 2020) on Cork Music Station from 9.30 to 11.00. We feature our regular items with a splendid blend of uplifting songs and music… tonight we feature a selection of songs and music with lots of variety as well as lots of interesting musings and words of wisdom. Included in tonight’s programme:
- We listen to the magnificent new songs by Michelle Murphy (“Birmingham Jail”) as well as Sheila Fitzgerald‘s amazing recording of “Eileen McMahon” sung with her late father, Michael Healy through the magic of modern technology by Mike Sheehan and accompanied by Eddie Kiely on violin.
- We celebrate significant Anniversaries.
- We discuss the many memories evoked by the our images below.Feel most welcome to contact the Show on corkmusicstation @gmail.com …. On Facebook (Seán Radley) …Or WhatsApp or text 086 825 0074.
- In our 10pm Interview – we meet Tony Tobin in Cobh in 2019 chatting about his great love of family life, sport, photography and poetry. We hear some of Tony’s superb poems. See our photographic illustrations from that special April day 2019 in Cobh as we also witness the arrival of one of the hugely impressive Ocean Liners. Happy Listening! (S.R.)
Chatting with Tony Tobin in April 2019 in Cobh. Tap on the images to enlarge. (S.R.) 
The Piper returns home to Millstreet thanks to Bob Emprimo, USA. 
[read more …] ““Radio Treasures” On Air Tonight on CMS from 9.30 to 11.00″
In November In Millstreet
It is cold, wet and windy today near the Town of Millstreet
Near where Finnow the white river and the Blackwater meet
No cattle in the bare fields they are in farmyard sheds eating silage or hay
On the dying days of Autumn on this November day
Brown storm water flowing fast in every field drain
And old Clara half cloaked in the grey fogs of rain
Strong gales from the Boggeraghs howling in the bare trees
And the weather temperature just above zero degrees
With Summer just a memory and Winter quite near
November in Duhallow is a cold and wet time of year
A lot of overcast sky and little sunshine
And a weather temperature average of just above zero to nine [read more …] “In November In Millstreet”
Invitation to a Sliabh Luachra Book Launch
A Farewell
Now I am bound for a far foreign shore
Farewell to the schoolmates I left in Rathmore
Like wise Nohovil that was once dear to me, and my fond relations is sweet Knocknagree.
Farewell and adieu to each smiling lass with whom I had many a pint and a glass, it is on them I’d ponder wherever I roam and my heart it will wander far back to my home.
Farewell to Millstreet that neat little town of honour, and beauty, of fame, and renown, of pleasure, and pastime and sweet unity, and those distant fond objects remind me of thee
II
Farewell to the groves round sweet Coomlegane
the pond and the castle to the East lies Drishane
Charming Mount Leader with its murmuring rills,
and its tapering heather grows tall o’er the hills.
Farewell to Kilmeedy that romantic maze that stood so attractive to the travellers gaze
With its gigantic walls that were built in days of yore, by that once proud chieftain called McCarthy Mor
III
In the West Clara Mountain comes next in my view where from each crystal fountain its source did persue
Where the verdure of Spring and the heather flowers grow and the bright milk maid singing in that valley below,
Its down by that Mountain by each cooling shade by Clara and Mt Leader right oft times I strayed and its heathery slopes where I once laid my brow and its castles and cascades of the banks of Finnow
The Pride Of Kilcorney
From where she first looked on the bright lamp of day
The Pride of Kilcorney she lives far away
She lived in the house by the silver tongued rill
Babbling down from the high fields by Mushera Hill
With shoulder length wavy raven hair and chestnut brown eyes
Such beauty that to songs and stories gives rise
One young man in Kilcorney for lost love does grieve
That she will return to Kilcorney he no longer believe
She left Kilcorney some eight years ago
And he has not heard from her for five years or so
Rumor has it in Australia she is a mother and wife
And quite happy and content in her new way of life
A young man in Kilcorney thinks of her every day
But then such is life as some are known to say.
Catherine Composes Superb Poem “The Hospital”
[read more …] “Catherine Composes Superb Poem “The Hospital””
Most Enjoyable Poetry “Revolution” at Millstreet Library
Niall O’Brien’s Superb New Poetry Book for Christmas 2015
Niall O’Brien’s Superb New Book of Poetry
Niall O’Brien comes from the rural parish of Kilcorney in north Cork. He has been writing poetry since the age of eleven and has been published many times in Ireland and the UK down through the years, receiving favourable reviews on each occasion. These reviews were the main reason for publishing this book. The poems in this book are a sampled collection of Niall’s work from 1970 to 2014 hence the title “Between the Years”. The content is deliberately varied to keep the book interesting for you the reader and the retail price is kept as low as possible so as many people as possible can buy it.
Five years ago Niall launched a niche business called Poetry Gifts Ireland which supplies commissioned and customised poetry for all occasions at fantastic low prices. You can follow Poetry Gifts Ireland on Facebook.
“Between the Years” is now in stock in The Dungeon book shop in Killarney, Hickey’s Centra, Rathmore and Wordsworth in Millstreet. You can order direct from Niall at <email>.......Please">nilebrien @gmail.com Please support this fantastic book.
Perhaps I Will Never
Perhaps i will never climb Clara again
Or in Spring hear the birds sing in the wind and the rain
When the cool winds of April from the mountains do blow
And the male pheasant in the rushy field does cuck and crow
Perhaps i will never again see the old Paps Of Shrone
Or rugged Gortavehy in it’s face of stone
And hear the [read more …] “Perhaps I Will Never”
In Millstreet Only One Cormac Dineen
He was a man we used to celebrate
A Millstreet and a Cork footballing great
A fearless fellow in his younger years
His passing would have been a source for tears.
.
Born on the Cork and Kerry border near Rathmore
The green of Millstreet and the red Of Cork he wore
And memories of him remain evergreen
In Millstreet only one Cormac Dineen.
.
As a person for his integrity respect to him was shown
A Millstreet vet one admired and well known
One in the flesh we never more will see
He will be missed by friends and family.
[read more …] “In Millstreet Only One Cormac Dineen”
In Matty Owen’s Bog
In Matty Owen’s bog going back decades ago
With Pudsy I hunted near where Finnow waters flow
Old Pudsy our faithful old brown cattle dog
She chased many a hare through the length of the bog.
.
But nothing in life ever does seem to last
The days of my boyhood they seemed to go fast
And more than four decades have passed since Pudsy passed away
She was a tough dog but she too had her day.
[read more …] “In Matty Owen’s Bog”
On The Passing Of Dan Leary
Dan Leary was a legend of old Millstreet but he’ll never more be seen in Millstreet Town
Or in the Town Park on a Summer’s evening With a pair of greyhounds walking up and down
He was a sterling corner back in his prime a stalwart of Millstreet Gaelic Football
Fearless and hard but fair he never shirked a challenge as those who played against him do recall.
.
For many years he was a Millstreet butcher the Learys of the West End were well known
And Dan the Millstreet schoolboys of the fifties did look up to we were so proud he was one of our own
In Cork County Championship Games in Coachford and in Macroom Dan Leary at his best was often seen
One of his Club’s greatest defensive players it was with pride he wore the Millstreet green.
.
It was with sadness I read of his passing in the flesh one that we never more will see
But for as long as I have the power to remember he surely will live in my memory
He was so down to earth and unassuming and to his friends he always remained true
‘Tis not because he’s dead I sing his praises in words I only give the man his due.
.
Dan Leary a legend of Duhallow Gaelic Football now with the dead of Millstreet Parish lay
‘Tis sad to think we never more will see him but good memories of him with us bound to stay
The best forwards in Cork Gaelic Football against him always found it hard to score
It was with pride he wore the green of Millstreet and may he rest in peace forever more.
A note of interest is that Dan was in the 1930s the first child baptised in St Patricks Church following its opening after two years of restoration.
Eily Buckley
Long before she wrote for the Clara News
And years before I even knew the taste of booze
For her love of people she became well known
And the fame of Eily Buckley has since grown.
.
For years she drove the school bus up and down
The roads of Millstreet to and from the Town
And perhaps many of the kids she drove to and from the school today
From Millstreet Parish now live far away.
.
Miles from Cloghoula her own countryside
Her Cloghoula notes in Clara News read far and wide
In big cities far from Millstreet County Cork
In Sydney, Melbourne, London and New York.
.
Can’t say that I knew her that well at all
Though she is one I readily can recall
For her’s is such a well known and loved face
In Millstreet Parish still my favourite place.
.
A friendly person untouched by conceit
And one of the best loved people in Millstreet
She’d never ignore you as she drove by
She’d always smile and wave a friendly hi
Plastic Kerrymen
When the Cork teams are playing
your heart would fill with pride
what a shame to be a plastic
and support the other side
.
From dear old Ballydaly
back to the county bounds
a strange little creature
in some places can be found
.
So, if you can’t support your own county
we don’t need you anymore
go ahead and pack your bags
and buzz off to Rathmore
.
They’ll send you to Killorglin
a lovely town of note
you’ll be very welcome
they always need a GOAT!
by Jerry Lehane
Transcript recited by Chloe Collins on RTE last Saturday night. Of course there’s lots of them Plastics appearing out since the match last Sunday. “C” reg cars with their kerry flags out the window. To be avoided 😉
On the Passing of Dee Dineen
The news has spread far beyond Duhallow’s borders that Dee Dineen has passed away
In St Mary’s cemetery in Millstreet Town his last remains now lay
He was a marvellous character likeable in every way
But the journey through life for us all must end one night or day.
.
Characters like Dee Dineen was are glorified in song and rhyme
He wore the Ballydaly colours when he was in his prime
He was far from an old man in his late fifties or early sixties maybe
And sad to think that in the flesh him we never more will see.
.
In Duhallow he enjoyed the status of a character of renown
He will be missed in Ballydaly, in Cullen and Millstreet Town
And all through Duhallow and Sliabh Luachra where he was known quite well
A biography of his life in book form thousands of copies would sell.
.
He will be missed by his many friends as well as by his family
And sad to think that in the flesh him we never more will see
So likeable and kind hearted fond memories of him will remain
The likes of him in Ballydaly may not be seen again.
Video: Up for the Match
RTE have posted video of “Up for the Match” that was shown last night on RTE1 and included a segment from the Town Park, and the Presentation Convent School.
Follow this link to get to the video: http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1055791
Move the video forward to 41:30 and the part from Millstreet is shown, featuring the poem “Plastic Kerryman” written by Jerry Lehane and read by Chloe Collins. The segment ends at 43:45.
The video is only available until October 10th.
Up for the Match: Part 2
Owing to the huge interest in the pictures from a few days ago, her are lots of more photos:
Magnificent Cork colours in evidence at Presentation N.S., Millstreet on Friday, 11th September for the excitng visit of the RTÉ crew filming for “Up for the Match” scheduled to be broadcast on RTÉ 1 television after the 9pm News this Saturday night The focus for the sequence was on Chloé Collins who superbly recited Jerry Lehane’s Cork/Kerry poem in front of the many enthusiastic pupils in the school playground …
Frank Riordan
He and Neily Lehane in the late sixties they formed a Club and a Gaelic Football team
And the Football Club they christened Slanan Rovers and Cloghoula people back then had a dream
That they might one day be Duhallow Champions but to win in any grade quite hard to do
And though out of dreams great ideas have been born dreams are dreams and they don’t always come true.
Frank Riordan was the President of Slanan Rovers and of the honour he felt very proud
And of the footballers who wore the Slanan jersey he spoke in glowing terms and sang their praises loud
And with help from the likes of Joe and Noel Buckley, Danny Healy and Dave Sheehan as well as many others who rallied around
A football club was thriving in Cloghoula and many willing helpers to be found.
I Would Feel A Stranger In Millstreet Today
For me ’tis a sad thing for to have to say
That I would feel a stranger in Millstreet today
A stranger to those even I once did know
Apart in my ways from them I seem to grow
Though with great fondness memories of them I do recall
In my physical prime with them I played football
And though absence makes the heart grow fonder some are known to say
To them I might seem like a stranger today
Even in Claraghatlea and the Town of Millstreet
A stranger to most people that I would meet
The praises of Millstreet I often do sing
And memories of old friendships joy to me does bring
But I’ve not been there for years and from there live far away
And I would feel a stranger in Millstreet today.
by Francis Duggan at poemhunter.com
