School: Athlone (Mixed) (roll number 16092)

On this page

1. Local Poets

   

   Share Share Post

   The most famous poet that lived near Athlone was Oliver Goldsmith.

   There was a man named McMurray who lived in Kilgarran, near Ballinahowen, Athlone. He was a very good poet and could neither read or write.

   There was a poet called Tony Burgess who lived in this district long ago. He use to compose and sing his own songs. He got killed during the Boer War. He had a brother named Tom who used to compete with Tony in song-making.

   They made up the songs about local people and heroes. They were handy-men. There were no poets among their ancestors. Their songs are not sung now. They could read and write.

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. genre
      1. poetry
         1. folk poetry (~9,504)

   Language

   English

   Informant

   Mr W. Taylor

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Athlone, Co. Westmeath

   Informant

   Paddy Burns

   Gender

   Male

   Address

   Bunnavally, Co. Westmeath