School: Skryne (roll number 1210)
- Location:
- Skreen, Co. Meath
- Teacher: Brian Mac Gabhann
Archival Reference
The Schools’ Collection, Volume 0686, Page 319
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- (continued from previous page)short rhyme from the old poet. Standing upright he addressed the younger man as follows: -
"You son of Jane I do maintain
Without the least pomposity
Within a cage you should remain
A living curiosity"
Another of his songs was in praise of the Cogan Hill - a hill where the Sunday dance and the Bonfire used to be held. Again he praised the beauty of the surrounding districts but none could compare to his "Cogan Hill"
"There's wild Beleek where you may seek.
For pleasures there your fill
But if for sport go round the fort
Upon the "Cogan Hill"
A local musician who played the Bagpipes was also praised in song as "The Highland minstrel of Carricklick." The poet however excelled at satire and many were they, who suffered the venom of his Rhyme.
"The next comes Pat Clarke the bog pirate
Bog wax all his life he did labour
Like a wolf dog when prowling at night
Picking out the dry sods from his neighbour"
or
"The next comes the Gilgeen Maguire
Half bred between monkey and skunks"(continues on next page)
