Knocknagree Poem by Francis Duggan

He lives in a mudbrick house in Gippsland by the Pacific sea
And he is known for miles around by his nickname of Knocknagree
The name comes from the place he left so many years ago
Ask for him by his proper name and him no one may know.

He's not been back to Knocknagree since nineteen seventy four
Since taxi took him to the train to station in Rathmore
He says that he'll go back next year in April if not May
But last year and the year before the same things he did say.

When Knocknagree goes on the beer he sings an Irish song
And he tell stories of Duhallow where he say his heart belong
But when the effects of alcohol wear off he see things differently
And he has second thoughts about going back to Knocknagree.

Since the day that he left Knocknagree his accent much the same
The mellow tones of North Cork with the migrant man remain
He says that he'll go home next year in April if not May
But last year and the year before the same things he did say.