Browse Items · From Carlow Streams

Slaney Valley
Author: Paddy Kehoe

Although the river Slaney is more associated with Wexford, the river and its tributaries flow through east Carlow also.
This is from the collection of Seamus Murphy.

Tags: Carlow East, Kehoe P, Love

The Barrow and The Nore
Author: Rowan McCoombe

The poem sings the history and praises the beauty of the valleys of Barrow and Nore.

Tags: Carlow South, Carlow West, McCoombe R, Pride in Place, Wellness

Sprig of Heather
Author: J.J. Callanan

Jeremiah Joseph Callanan was employed for a time as a teacher in the classical Day and Boarding School of G.A. Lynch at Everton House, Graiguecullen. The poem lauds the resilience of the simple heather plant and praises the beauty of the locality.

Tags: Callanan JJ, Carlow West, Liberty, Pride in Place

Tongue of the Martyrs
Author: William A. Byrne

The poem links Faith and Fatherland

Tags: Byrne WA, Carlow County, Patriotic Hero, Religion, Social Comment

Purple Heather
Author: William A. Byrne

William A. Byrne, from Rathangan in Kildare, was a professor in Knockbeg College. 'The Light on the Broom' was the collection from which this poem is taken.

Tags: Byrne WA, Carlow West, Religion, Social Comment, Wellness

Father Cullen P.P.
Author: William O'Neill (Slieve Margy)

Eulogy for Fr. Cullen, PP of Tinryland who died in 1913. The poem captures the thoughts and feelings of the priest's parishioners.

Tags: Carlow County, O'Neill W, Religion, Social Comment

Sister of Mercy
Author:R.D. Williams

The poem explores the motivation that inspired a nun's devotion. The Convent of Mercy on Dublin Road was the mother-house of the Sisters of Mercy.

Tags: County Carlow, Personal wellbeing, Religion, Social Comment, Williams RD

Congo

Location: Carlow Town
Kevin gleeson was one of the Irish UN peacekeepers killed in the Niemba ambush in 1960. His heroism and sacrifice, as well as that of his comrades, is celebrated in this poem

Tags: Author Unknown, Carlow County, Carlow Town, Local Hero

The Carlow Fifteen
Authors; Tommy Lynch and P.J. Furey

In 1944, Carlow made sporting history by winning their only Leinster Senior Football Championship, defeating Dublin in the final. This momentous victory was immortalized in verse by P.J. Furey, capturing the excitement, pride, and determination of that legendary team. Below is the full transcription of his poem, celebrating the Carlow fifteen and their unforgettable triumph.

In the year Forty-four towards the end of July, 
The great Leinster final was played in Athy. 
This game of fine football was listed between, 
The boys from the Liffey and the Carlow fifteen.

Oh! I'll never forget till the day that I die, 
Of the crowds that went travelling that day to Athy, 
They peddled and walked it, excitement was keen, 
By the many supporters of the Carlow fifteen.

There were horses and ponies and jennets and traps, 
For most of the journey not caring two raps, 
There were donkeys came trotting down every boreen, 
With their ears to attention for the Carlow fifteen.

O'er the mountains of Leinster the cheers rose and fell, 
As Dublin played strongly and Carlow right well, 
When the tin whistle sounded the score board was seen, 
To be down in the figures for the Carlow fifteen.

As the crowd held their breath and the great climax came, 
It was whispered all over that Dublin held game, 
But none ever thought of the scoring machine, 
The forward division of the Carlow fifteen.

What change in the last half did the minutes unroll, 
As the boys from the Barrow kept swarming the goal, 
It was blue in an old spot, but red, gold and green, 
Were the colours of victory for the Carlow fifteen.

Now we'll crown every player with a gay flowered wreath, 
Made from cauliflowers and onions and sugar beet, 
There will be smiles on the features of dark Rosaleen, 
Decorating the boys of the Carlow fifteen.

As the years creep upon me, I'm wrinkled and grey, 
There are times that I gossip and times that I pray, 
I will sit by my fireside and puff my dudeen, 
And go with my thoughts on the team fondly stray.

Jim Quinlan the goalie was the best in his day, 
Jim Archbold, Joyce, and Lawlor full-back, 
Whelan and Farrell and O'Rourke weren’t slack.

Centre field was Luke Kelly and Jim Morris of fame, 
Mickey Byrne and Hosey and Moore were all game, 
But Sullivan, Doyle and Jerma near were green, 
Proud champions of Leinster were the Carlow fifteen.

Location: Carlow county
Praise for the hope the heroes of 1944 brought to Carlow in that glorious era
The two texts show how songs were added to or amended slightly, part of the oral tradition.

Tags: Carlow County, Furey PJ, Local event, Lynch T, Sporting Hero

The Kingdom's Crown
Author: Tommy lynch

Location: Carlow county
A call to battle to take the All-Ireland crown from the Kingdom

Tags: Carlow County, Lynch T, Pride in Place, Sporting Hero

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