A map of blue and green
Upon my wall
Shows off this quiet corner
Of the world
Unknown to most
You’d never think
The drama there has been
Around this coast
So peaceful is the scene
Invaders from the sea
Escaping home
Put in by Doona point
And lost their ship
Taking Fahy Castle
They marched around the bay
They sailed for Spain
Alas a fateful trip
A lighthouse on the Mullet
Proudly stands
At journey’s end
And proud in history
A forecast sent to Churchill’s desk
A window did espy
And fighting forces timed their run
To bloody Normandy
That same old spot
Bore witness
To an accident at sea
When ‘copter crew from Dublin
Went amiss
Returning in the darkness
Blackrock it did not see
Four people died
Erris knew distress
Years before
A tragic drowning there
When men from off the islands
Went to sea
A sunny teatime turned to fierce storm
Ten men drowned
They are buried locally
In time of famine
A Quaker man appeared
And ordered ships
To help the poor away
James Tuke a Yorkshire man
Arranged for ships to sail
To Boston and Quebec
Far, far away
Today this quiet corner
Invites you in
Tourism has found
The Western Way
Sea and sand and golf links too
Hotels and B&B
You’d never think
It knew a poorer day
I claim my own connection
To this place
Belmullet
And all the land around
My Nan came from Doolough
That sandy bay
I stand in line
I stand on holy ground
Brian Fahy
9 June 2021
Erris Poetry 