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Thomas R Connolly - R.I.P. 1888-1989
Thomas R Connolly
A Pupil at Kingsland National School. in the 1890's, he, like so many of his contemporaries emigrated to the U.S.A. in the early 1900's. At first, he worked in the docks and shipyards of his adoptive city Philadelphia and spent much of his spare time reading to improve his knowledge of the world. His reading stimulated in him a natural talent for writing, especially in verse, and he contributed annually to 'Old Moore's Almanac's for a long time. Much of his verse was commemorative and showed a nostalgic love of his native land and admiration of his adopted country. The following verses extol the virtues of the people and the beauty of the countryside where he was born and reared, Around Lough Gara's lovely shore. Having retired from the shipbuilding industry he got involved in the food and drink business and managed his own tavern for many years, until he retired in his eighties. After many years of happy retirement, he passed away peacefully in July 1989, in his one hundred and second year. J.C.
Around Lough Gara's lovely shore
I valued not the joys I got when I was over there
nor was content until I went
to tread the paths of care.
An take my place in fortune race
for a prize of golden ore.
And muse alone on pleasure, known
On fair Lough Gara's shore.
Columbus' land is great and grand
blessed home of freedoms birth
Ambitions here can persevere their merit, for true worth
It's every state and cities great
has riches vast in store.
It ne'er can be as dear to me
As fair Lough Gara's shore.
When I contrast with the carefree past
and the busy time I've here
I often sigh for the days gone by
and the friends to me so dear
Those friends so dear I do revere
In absence only more
As my memory strays to the happy days
spent by Lough Gara's shore.
Reflections sad and plaintive sighs
replace now mirth and glee
One third of six to first affix
and then your task is ore.
Theme of my lay will hold display
Farewell Lough Gara's, shore.
By Thomas R Connolly
It's with delight to you I write
My distant friends and dear'er Ocean spray a line to say
That I'm successful here
but fancies fight and dream at night
a mirage like restore
a sad false view unreal untrue
of scenes around Gara's shores.
My fair Kingsland by breeze fanned
That lie, O'r Gara's breast
With sweet perfume of summer's bloom
Dear place that I love best.
How grand the view fields gemmed with dew
and hedge, blossomed o're
When the dawning sun is shining on
Lough Gara's, lovely shores.
It's oft I think of Breedogue’s brink
with its rugged winding pass.
In winter's snow or summer's glow
I went that way to mass
and I seem to hear the bell so clear
the placid waters o're.
While the echoes sound the hills around
Lough Gara's lovely shore.
The walk at night neath luna’s light
to concert dance or spree.
and the maidens fair assembled there
refined and pure to see.
If maidens ere were formed so fair
That man should them adore
They are those maids, from the vales and glades
Around Lough Gara's, shore.
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