From the Creggans to Kiltoon

‘Tis many a flood that’s come and gone since that well remembered day

When nine young families of our kin pulled roots and moved away

The wailing was as plaintive as when a baby leaves the womb

When our kind friends and neighbours left the Creggans for Kiltoom

The times were bad in Fifty-five and luxuries were rare

And many a family of the time was driven near despair

But those of whom I sing tonight took their courage in their hands

And left the homes the loved so dear for a challenging new land

By Derrevarra’s waters these families made their homes

A strange and different landscape from the wild Atlantic shore

No Patrick’s Reek, no Mweelrea’s peak, no valley great and grand

But verdant  fields with fruitful yields where the Planter once made stand

These strange and new surroundings didn’t hinder their progress

And of every challenge that they met they made a great success

At school and work, for brains and brawn and on the hurling field

There were none their betters and few their match, in the county of Westmeath

But time like tide keeps rolling on and nothing stays the same

The youth, back then, have now turned grey, the old have passed away

May God be good to those who’ve gone, ’twas they  who worked the plough

To smooth the road, to ease the load, for those who harrow now

© Michael O’ Grady