The Sweet River Deel

      

From a place called Askeaton

So Charming to see:

Come greetings from home Fond wishes to me.

How Kind are those words

wishing comfort and weal,

that come from my home, 

by the sweet river Deel.

 

There a beautiful Abbey and Castle do stand,

Their structure as fine as is seen in our Land.

Unfettered, Untangled my thoughts often steal

To those beautiful ruins by the side of the Deel.

 

On the long summer's day I was delighted to roam

by the broad river's side near the cataract's foam.

My soul wrapped in thoughts, til the Angelus peal

Rang out loud and clear, O'er the sweet river Deel.

 

How often I strolled When the sun sank to rest

With the boys of Clareen The lads I liked best.

And we hurled for pastime til our heads seemed to reel

In Cussen's flat field By the sweet river Deel.

 

On the long summer's eve as the sun slowly sank

Our pleasant swim over we sat on the bank

To watch Pat McCarthy with his rod, line and wheel

playing out a brown trout on the sweet river Deel.

 

Oh! Sweet flowing river, though so far away

I can see you in memory as t'were yesterday.

And often in dreaming In fancy I feel.

That I'm fishing once more on the sweet river Deel.

 

I wished t'were my fate, when life sunset appears

to spend my last days where I spent my first years.

Ere the cold hand of death 

would my humble life steal.

I would sigh for a grave

by the sweet river Deel.

 

(writer unknown) 

 

thank to  John Brandon,

Columbus, Ohio

For sending me this poem

The Pubs of Askeaton

by Tom Maguire 

(a song sung to the air of "The Stome

Outside

Dan Murphy's Door"

 and "The Red-Headed Mot from Ringsend")

 

As I tramp down the road through Askeaton,

With the gray castle ruins as me guide,

Near Shehan's old pub stands the Robin

With the hope that the door will swing wide.

Then the landlord appears at the window

And he lifts the worn latch with a grin.

The Robin hops in and he calls for his pint

And Askeaton' s awake once again.

 

O'er the Deel looms the Tower of Desmond,

Its shadows on Casey's shebeen.

On his perch in the corner sits Seamus O'Rourke

With Salty and Brid and Noleen.

When Mikey pulls out his old squeezebox,

Nellie Ivers roars into her song:

"You're a lady dear Limerick, we'll always love you"

As the Barber and the Pope sing along.

 

Across the bridge just beyond is Tom Kennedy's,

Its stained glass a welcoming sign.

There's Coleman's and Cagney's and Ranahan's

wee house

With Patsy herself on the lines.

Along by the river sits Rosie's

Peeking out from its slip on the quay;

There are lovely black pints and uisce galore;

Old Askeaton's the best place to be!

 

At the end of the town up on Church Street,

Tom Downes's pub beckons me on.

I can hear Paddy Leahy and Tessie

Holding Court with a joke and a yarn.

So, here's to the pubs of Askeaton,

To the Abbey and swans on the Deel;

To the old castle bridge and the Hell Fire Club

With its echoes of hornpipes and reels.

 

So, raise up your glass to Askeaton so fair

And to the friends who have all gone before!

 

                --Tom Maguire

                  31 July 2006