Michael Leary Poem by Francis Duggan

On the internet I read about the death of Michael Leary his death notice read he died in a tragic way
He was not old perhaps in his early to mid sixties such sad news brought great sadness to my day
A good husband and good father to his children in the Leary family none to take his place
He will be sadly missed by friends and family in Millstreet Town his was a well loved face
A quiet man and a nice man Michael Leary he was a gentleman in every way
He went through life without harming anybody and those who knew him only had good of him to say
I last saw Michael in the Town of Millstreet on a cold sunday evening in late November 21 years ago
By the fogs of rain old Clara hill was shrouded and by the Town Finnow bank high did flow,
Another well loved person gone from Millstreet he did not live on to grow very old
A quiet man who minded his own business the story of his life ought to be told
One can say of him he was the quiet achiever to his family his loss a heavy cross to bear
He drank many a pint but never did cause trouble and men like him have always been quite rare,
He will be remembered by all who knew him though with the dead of Millstreet he now lay
The funeral bell that tolled for Michael Leary will toll for everyone of us one day.