Brian's Views of Ireland

Pictures and songs from West o' Clare's annual tours of Ireland

As I roved out one morning fair, down by the Bridge of Ross,
I spied a maid a sleepin' on her dainty bed of moss.
I knew she was a silkie, part woman and part seal,
And I longed to hold her in me arms to see if she was real.
But never wed a silkie lads, it is a dreadful wish,
To marry a girl with flippers, who swims just like a fish.
She'll never leave your bathtub, until it's after dark,
Then she'll crawl beside you in your bed, and wake you with her bark!

from "The Silkie" (2000)

In the Donegal mountains, there's a park called Glenveagh,
Where people can watch the red deer at their play,
The park was the gift of a Yank millionaire,
Who got his revenge on Lord John George Adair.
Now Adair was a landlord, who should have shown penance,
For the wanton eviction of all of his tenants,
But, "To Hell with ye Irish," he loudly would jeer,
"Instead of ye peasants, I'd rather have deer!"

from "Glenveagh" (1999)

Oh the lakes of Killarney were glitt'ring in sunlight,
And flowering gorse could be seen everywhere,
When Eddie, our Crucified Irish Employee,
Our tour guide and coach driver extraordinaire,
He halted our coach when we got in a traffic jam,
Climbed out to see what had caused all the fuss
When we saw him again, he was shaking with laughter
And said we'd been stopped by a Luxembourg Bus.

from "The Calamity Ceili" (1997)

One two three four five six seven, one two three, one two three--
Book of Kells designs in motion, heel to toe, kick and go.
Irish dancer reeling quickly, head held high, twinkling eye.
Arms restrained yet legs aflying, lightning spin, leap again.
Tapping feet ring sharp staccatos, circle round, stamp the ground.
Turn and skip to threes and sevens, toe extend, bow and end.

"Irish Dancer" (1991)

Inishmore, all rocky bones unfleshed,
Glowers blackly in the brilliant haze;
Dun Aengus broods and beckons.

Pounding diesels tear me from you,
Churning crystal seas which mingle
Salty spray with welling tears.

Ancestral voices keen within me
Moaning in unceasing sorrow
At the dear departed's wake.

"Farewell to Kilronan" (1998)