Willie Neenan's Road Poem by Francis Duggan

At the back of Clara mountain four miles from Millstreet Town
Is Bealac the high roadway that ever winds up and down
Willie Neenan the great athlete one who has inspired story and rhyme
On the roadway on through Kilmeedy has run many a time.

The often times Irish Champion and the pride of Millstreet
Against the best in the World he was known to compete
From running the mountains muscle and endurance he did gain
On the high Bealac road one who often did train.

Now into his seventies and time on him ticking away
I wonder does he run on the Bealac road today?
On the mountain roads of Millstreet he built to his fame
Bealac should be re-named Neenan's road for to honour his name.

For whenever I think of Bealac Willie Neenan comes to mind
He ran that hill so many times against the wintery wind
Even on Winter nights of storm and rain he ran up Bealac hill
But the years go by so quickly and time does not stand still.

They should re-name Bealac Willie Neenan's Road in honour of the man
For five decades one of Ireland's best in time a lengthy span
I wonder does he still train on the mountain roads by the old hills far away?
For the legendary athlete too has known a better day.