Joan Lynch And Billy Corkery Poem by Francis Duggan

Devoted to each other from their younger years in life
For more than thirty years in England they have lived as man and wife
In England they raised their children and in England they live today
Though the fields of Shannaknock and Kippagh from their thoughts never far away.

Joan Lynch and Billy Corkery their bond of love is still strong
And they have been together I can't recall for how long
Perhaps since the late sixties when they both were in their prime
When I too was a young man and that's going back in time.

In a time when many a marriage does not last more than a year
The story of Joan and Billy is a great story to hear
Both from the Millstreet Parish in common much they share
And like many more before and after they too went to live elsewhere.

I knew Joan Lynch from my school going days she is a few years older than I
But on looking back the years that seems only yesterday how fast time seems to fly
And Billy Corkery was my neighbour and I can well recall
When he helped Milstreet to a glorious win in Under age Gaelic football.

Their loss to Millstreet and Ballydaly is surely England's gain
Joan Lynch and Billy Corkery as man and wife will remain
Until the Reaper claim them the one who will claim us all one day
True love is an undying thing or so 'twould seem that way.