A Duhallow Legend Poem by Francis Duggan

Millstreet's greatest all round worker when in his life's prime
Though this is going back many decades in time
But oh to himself he was so very cruel
The man known to many as Jack The Mule

In Cahirdowney from Millstreet Town not far away
As John Kelleher he first looked on the lamp of day
His dad owned a mule then is how his nickname came about
And that he was a mighty man he never left anyone in doubt

One who never had children or never had a wife
He drank hard and worked hard and lived a rough life
A fellow who did earn his every pay
And nothing easy in life ever did come his way

March had arrived in Duhallow with a blustery chill
And the late Daithi Dowling out walking with his son in a field by Clara Hill
The lifeless body of John Kelleher found
He had chosen to end his life on the higher ground

On the day of the horse fair in the Town of Millstreet
Where the people who buy and sell horses does meet
Where John Kelleher in the pubs of dark guinness often enjoyed his fill
Instead of going to the fair he choose to die by Clara Hill