Published in Old Moore’s Almanac.1926
Rebus by Patrick Tunney, Derrykillew, Westport. Respectfully dedicated to Tom Collins, Cong, peter Connor, Cloona, Bill Spooner, Broadwell and all my old true, and esteemed Frongoch companions.
My best regards I tender thee, true friends and comrades all –
From the heart-clad slopes of Kerry to the braes of Donegal.
From the fertile plains of royal Meath to the hills of green Tyrone,
From the noisy streets of Dublin to the walls of Garryowen.
Now often times I’m thinking of the days I spent with you
When Ireland’s honor was at stake and her faithful sons were few,
Yes Ireland’s honor wa at stake, her fate was on the scales,
When in exile first I met you ‘mongst the lonely hills of Wales.
‘Twas there I met true-hearted Duke, the hero of Fingal,
Tom Roche from ancient Ferns, and Dick Pea—le of Southwall,
Pat Donnell from County Louth and James O’Hanlon too,
Mac Ellistrim of Kerry and Tom Cryan of Cloonloo,
John and Peter Donovan of Clonakilty fair,
With Jordan’s men of Athenry, Moyode and Castlegar.
Where are the Kelly’s of Tyrone? True Irishmen were they,
Like Thompson of Ardrahan and the braves of Monivea,
Peter Fox of carrickmore – the Bourkes of Tisquin,
The fearless youths of Neptune, Kilgariff and Tom Grey,
With Galway’s pride Law, Garvey of Mullagh, near Loughrea.
The Cleary boys of Abbeyrow, poor Frawley of Wolfhill,
And our Fenian chief bold Manus Keane, the hero of Lankill.
The dauntless sons of Cliffoney, Gilmartin tried and true,
B Mellows of famed Wexford, and Comber of Killaloe.
Thomas Fries of Craughwell – the Hughes’s of Cloonskill.
And Tom O’Dea, Kilcolgan, and McGuire of Mohil,
My xx to mike Flemming and the Newells of Briarhill.
Come weal or woe they feared no foe, they were true to Ireland still.
Some friends I knew are dead and gone their earthky toils are o’er,
Like Rowley, O’Dea of etenwell, and Magill of famed Dunmore,
McCormack of Drumrainey, all soldiers tried and true.
Who played their parts unflinchingly, defending Roisin Dhu.
May God rest poor Tom Duggan, Tom Behan and Mckee –
No braver sons e’er manned their guns that Eire might be free.
Of the boys I knew, I am thinking now, whilst here ‘mongst Mayo’s vales –
And the time we spent for Irelands sake, in Frongoch Camp, North Wales.
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