The Bards Of Old Sliabh Luachra Poem by Francis Duggan

The bards of old Sliabh Luachra made their own history
Their names will live for ever in literary immortality
Their names will surely live on for as long as rivers flow
And for as long as songbirds whistle in Spring on the hedgerow.

The great gaelic bard Aodhagan O Rathaille with him few to compare
his name has lived for many centuries that in itself seems rare
Since his time to the Cork and Kerry border many Seasons have come and gone
But the poet in his poems is living and his fame is living on.

Eoghan Rua O Suilleabhain from Meentogues better known as Eoin the Red
So much about the great man has been written and said
Rumour has it in verse he lampooned a farmer who re-acted angrily
And with his stick struck the poet a fatal blow at a fair in Knocknagree.

Patrick Dinneen the lexiographer of Dinneen dictionary fame
In Anglo Irish Literature his is a legendary name
Around the Cork and Kerry border they recall his name with pride
Since he too was of Sliabh Luachra that famous Countryside.

His brother Joe Dinneen the poet a character of his time
By the lives of other people he was inspired to rhyme
He died tragically at Headford Station under the wheels of a train
And memories of him to this day in Sliabh Luachra do remain.

The last bard of Sliabh Luachra was Ned Buckley of Knocknagree
Jack Lane the famed Aubane publisher has insured Ned's immortality
His book of poems a literary gem has been read World-wide
And greatness of the great Ned could never be denied.

The bards of old Sliabh Luachra their names will live forever more
Their fame has spread around the World far from Erin's green shore
Along with Sliabh Luachra's traditional musicians they are in Ireland's Cultural Hall of fame
For it's writers and musicians Sliabh Luachra's is a World known name.