The Old Roads Of Sliabh Luachra Poem by Francis Duggan

From Barraduff the mountain road leads to the Paps of Shrone
Through a mountainy land of famous bards some of the finest known
And left along the narrow road that leads to Rathmore Town
And the old roads of Sliabh Luachra keep winding up and down

From Rathmore to Gneeveguilla up the hill to Knocknagree
And from the village on the hill great beauty one can see
Old Clara in Duhallow and Caherbarnagh heights
And one can only marvel at such splendid scenic sights.

The old roads of Sliabh Luachra i see them in my dreams
And i hear the dippers singing in the free flowing mountain streams
And i hear the skylark singing as towards heaven's gate she fly
High above the gorse and bracken just a small speck in the sky.

The old roads of Sliabh Luachra i see them every day
And they still are very near to me though i live far away
From the Cork and Kerry border where i spent my youth and prime
And the memories i thought were fading have not been erased by time.

From Barraduff by the Paps of Shrone and on towards Rathmore Town
The old roads of Sliabh Luachra keep winding up and down
And when i visualize i hear the hill sheep bleating on the hill
And the old fields of Sliabh Luachra i visit them at will.