Tadhg O hEaghráin

Collected by Mrs Mary Haren, from her husband, the writer of the poem.

Tadhg O hÉaghráin seems to have been having a bad day when the Muse inspired him to pen this poem, probably some time in the 1950’s. The reference in the poem to the debilitating effects of emigration is unfortunately appropriate again today and Ennistymon, like most of western Ireland today, is haemorrhaging its youth over the waters of the world.
The last two verses are given in reverse form to the order in which Tadhg recited them.

Mise Tadhg OhEaghráin as Inisdíomáin,
Atá suite go doimhin sa ghleann.
Baile beag briste, a thóin leis n uisce,
Is daoine gan tuiscint ann.

Is trua é ár gcás tá ár mbaile ag fáil bháis,
Na fir is na mná ag imeacht uainn.
Táimid bocht anseo thiar ar an taobh seo den tír,
A Dhia an bhfuil aon rud i ndán duinn?

Sí Eidhneach an abhainn go tornach trom,
Ag léimt thar an easa ar chúl dúinn.
Anois ta sí mall ag rith tríd an ngleann,
Go Leacht Uí Chrochubair atá gar uainn.

Ar an mbaile seo ’gainne tá clú agus cáil,
Le filí is arsach I ngach cúinne le fail,
Mac Giolla Meidhreach an file, Mac Cuirtin, Uaithnin,
Sean Holland a cheap submarine.

Ta jobanna mór ag gach “white collar hoor”
Anseo is ansiúd ar fud Chláir
Ach tá ár mbaile beag briste a thóin leis an uisce
Ag tarraingt an dole gan náir.