Daniel McDonagh Poems

The entrance to C’Adder is guarded by a creature
Who rides a black unicorn, carrying his head in his hand,
His eyes watch all strangers, pilgrims of God
Who have been chased from their dwellings, robbed of their land.
...

Songs of joy and and songs of celebration
Echoed on the terracing of old Hampden,
And crucified while standing firm on his goal line,
Stood the Rangers goalie, George Niven.
...

In the famous land of the barren east end
lies broken factories and foundries,
the old city of industrial past
is forgotten and full of broken waste.
...

When Brother Walfrid came to Glasgow
and settled in the old east end,
he would build a team for the diocese
that sheltered Irish immigrants,
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Celtic's birth in the east end of Glasgow
....was conceived by a man, a native of Sligo,
from the west coast of Ireland, from the horrors of the famine,
....a Marist priest came to Scotland and made it his home.
...

The Celtic songs filled heaven's sky
and we marched along the Gallowgate
Joined by comrades, brothers and sisters,
As Brother Walfrid stood by Parkhead's gates.
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Green flags are unfurled and fill Glasgow's sky
Banners of Celtic held up high
Keep the faith, with pride, Walk on
Fill your heart with a Celtic song.
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Ulster’s ancient heart
Lay broken at Windsor Park,
As the saving grace of angels
Became victims to the fans of Linfield.
...

I learned my history of Ireland
From my father every Friday night,
When he would arrive home from Madigan’s bar
Reciting in song and verse of Ireland’s fight.
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Take me back to Bellaghy
...