Author Archives: tyldesleyboy

Daddy never used a map when drivingHe knew where he was going in the westBut one day in Charlestown arrivingHe turned for Tubercurry as he guessed Realising that the road was not familiarHe followed signs that led for BallinaAnd passing out Lough Talt and the Ox MountainsHe thought his destination wasn’t be far And comingContinue reading “Bonniconlan”

We sailed out of StranraerWhen mammy diedDriving home to lay her now to restA day of drivingSailing driving sleepingIn FivemiletownBefore we landed west The day was bright and beautifulA sky so blue and clearI’d never known the worldSo cleansed beforeMy mother’s life was overA journey true and fineShe reached the grand old age of 94Continue reading “Glorious Sunset”

The waters of the hillsRise up at Shannon PotHard rock below compels a riseAnd a stream of Irish waterBegins its journey southA stream maybe but wait for the surprise It gathers strength in flowingSoon entering a lakeLough Allen thereAnd soon a Leitrim shoreAnd flowing then through CarrickIt gathers boats and crewA tourist trade has gatheredContinue reading “Shannon Pot”

I watched my cousin Mickey Carey playFor Kiltane GAA one sunny dayBut the game that day was not what took my eyeBut the place where he was playing I defy I defy anyone anywhere to nameA spot that is so beautiful and grandWith crashing waves when storms comeAnd booming sounds galoreAn unknown corner of theContinue reading “The Sounding Sandy Banks”

I played for Clapham HarpsOn Clapham CommonTail end of my illustrious careerSaturday afternoonsPulsating pitchesGames galoreShouting goals to cheer A young lad called me granddadI rememberAs we emerged from changing roomsTo playI marked his cardAnd gave a demonstrationOf Bolton’s finest football there that day On summer evenings walkingOn the CommonBeside the Windmill pubThat sells Young’s beerSomeContinue reading “GAA On Clapham Common”

We were in the Railway Bar,Downtown RathdrumAfter the Fureys played a sessionOn the GreenThe bar was fairly crowdedWith the localsAnd with those like usWho’d travelled for the scene Michael called a songAnd sang him selfA habit that he wasNo stranger toAnd then an old manPropped up in the cornerWas prevailed uponAnd he had had aContinue reading “Railway Bar Rathdrum”

1994 in InvernessIn a shoe shopOff the chilly streetMichael being fitted for a shoeI stood there oh so proudAnd watched his feet I rarely saw himSince I was awayAn absent dadBut wanting to be thereA fleeting summer holiday with MaggieAnd then down southBut really God knows where And leavingMaggie reached out for his coatBut Michael feltContinue reading “Shoe Shop Inverness”

In Leyton London one tea timeI knocked on a quiet front doorAn old man gave me a welcomeHis accent I knew from before His brother was sitting inside thenTwo bachelor boys we have hereAnd I a priest on the missionMade welcome by men with no fear Gentle old fellers they were tooWe sat and weContinue reading “The Men From Glenamoy”

I have a patchwork capGreens and browns and bluesNatty little number on my headTricia chose it for meOne day out in townWestport townMassachusetts USA Made by Foxford Woollen MillsA place I went to seeThat day of rain with MaggieMiseryThat famous nun developed itEmployment for the townAnd a Foxford capIs now a friend to me RemindsContinue reading “My Patchwork Cap”

Nora died and we buried her In January Closing a chapter And opening up a story My birthday came Three score and ten A milestone in life’s journey And on that day I learned I am to be a granddad April came Michael and Holly married A bright day with bright people And bright promiseContinue reading “2017 ~ Recorded Delivery”

My clan was all behind me And I was so proud to be A member of the Carey clan A member of Fahy A member of the Trumbles too A member of O’Hara Of Gaughan and of Loftus And of the bold Flannery But now I sit and here I am My clan is allContinue reading “Love line”

I see today that Granddad’s house In Slinaun has been sold 90 thousand Euros bought it A house both new and old The old place is transformed these days But the old stones are in view Souvenirs of days gone by When the Fahys lived there new In my dreams I went back there ToContinue reading “Slinaunrua”

You cannot beat the Mayo coast For loveliness or grandeur From the salmon estuary of Moy To Leenane’s fiord danger Deep waters there divide the land From Galway’s rugged shore There, Churchill sought a hideaway For ships in time of war Kilcummin strand saw ships arrive When Humbert landed lately To rouse poor peasant ladsContinue reading “Coastline of Mayo”

Sunday morning not a sound Not a breath of wind House is silent, silent still A cool July a little chill The Open’s final round Will Jordan take the Claret Jug? Or will it fall to Grace Who birdied yesterday all day And made a record on his way Who will take the mug? TheContinue reading “Claret Jug”

My contribution to the world Is every word I say Not in shout or argument Nor in verbal style affray Our words are powerful in our mouths We tend to think they’re not But say the wrong thing and you will see How quickly starts the rot The word of understanding Brings contentment to theContinue reading “Human Power”