The gift of memory is a marvellous thing
I still remember Mary Brigid Ring
In all weather sunny, windy, wet and cold and cool
From Coolinarne she cycled to and from the Millstreet Secondary Convent School.
.
A few years older than me far as I know
Her wavy hair dark as wing of a crow
She had great warmth in her cheerful hello
I am going back some fifty years ago.
.
Back then a budding rose of beauty rare
Yet of such she did not seem aware
Untainted by conceit and free of guile
I do recall she had a lovely smile.
.
When she left Coolinarne her I never more did see
But she does live on in my memory
And sad to read her remains at rest lay
Far from Coolinarne in the U S A. *[1]

by Francis Duggan

[1] Correction: Briget’s ashes are interred in St.Mary’s Graveyard with her parents – see the comment by her brother Jerome below

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