School: Béal an Átha Móir (B.)

Location:
Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim
Teacher:
Seán Ó Heslin
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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0225, Page 100

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The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0225, Page 100

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  1. XML School: Béal an Átha Móir (B.)
  2. XML Page 100
  3. XML “Humorous Verses about the Cavan and Leitrim Light Railway”

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  1. Composed by O Rourke, N.J, Drumhollowan, Cloone, whose son, Patrick kept the Central Bar, Ballinamore. Part of the inspiration came from the Central Bar. Mr. O Rourke, the poet, made many fine poems. He was one of the best local poets for the past 80 years. He was born about 18.. and died 19..
    I hope to get a few more of them His grand-daughter, Mrs. Peter Gallagher teaches ?ruim ?uib ?ír School, 3 miles from B'more and lives in Ballinamore.
    I
    Ye jovial tourists who seek the purest
    And grandest scenery in the land,
    Pray pay attention whilst here I mention
    A mode of travelling which will suit you grand.
    II
    Not the motor I'm going to vote for
    Nor the premier cycle though all the rage
    But my advice is whatever the price is
    Go buy a ticket on the Narrow Gauge
    III
    Just travel by it, it will take you quiet,
    The best company you're sure to meet,
    Of donkey dealers and fowl retailers
    From Church Lane, Canaloe and Chapel St.
    IV
    Now grand Directors, and Line Inspectors,
    And local Pressmen so cute and so sage,
    All travel gratis-you know what that is
    While others must, pay on the Narrow Gauge.
    V
    Oh: nature's charms in all her forms
    All along the line will enchant the view
    St Caillen's gander saw nothing grander
    When round through Wicklow all alone he flew.
    VI
    Moore's Lalla Rook is, (a beauteous book 'tis,)
    With blooming, flowered on it's every page.
    For Shearon's roses can't match the posies
    That decked the borders of the Narrow Gauge.
    VII
    Green hills and mountains, clear rills and fountains
    With the placid lakes. There are hills between
    Monastic ruins, the wicked doings
    Of cursed Cromwell and the Virgin Queen
    VIII
    Historians tell us what befell us
    In the ancient times, persecution's age
    Ere people spoke of a locomotive
    Or knew the comfort of the Narrow Gauge
    IX
    Going to Dromod there are still some would
    Prefer to sit behind Dooner's grey
    If to Belturbet they'd surely spurn it.
    The old brakes seem on all the blessed way.
    X
    If to Drumshambo you by the tram go
    A slower passage no one could engage
    Jack Redsy's donkey he calls him spunkey
    Could blind K. Edward on the Narrow Gauge.
    XI
    Ye English loyal may shout disloyal
    So here my meaning I will now define
    King Ned is an engine made in Bengen
    Fair lovely Bengen upon the lovely Rhine.
    XII
    So John Thornton, he's a cute and sly one
    May seek promotion by some other stage.
    Else, him I'll sentence to due repentance
    Of twenty miles on the new Narrow Gauge.
    XIII
    'Twas my intention much more to mention
    For half it's praises I have not yet sung
    But the baby is balling, Molly's calling
    With click, click, click o telegraphic tongue.
    XIV
    But sweet as thrushes in trees and bushes
    And the pet canary in gilded cage
    When I have leisure I'll sing with pleasure
    The countless beauties of the Narrow Gauge.
    Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.
    Language
    English
    Collector
    W. Farrell
    Gender
    Male
    Occupation
    Teacher
    Address
    Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim
    Informant
    Tom Creamer
    Gender
    Male
    Occupation
    Teacher
    Address
    Stradermot, Co. Leitrim