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.
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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.
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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.
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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]
[1] Correction: Briget’s ashes are interred in St.Mary’s Graveyard with her parents – see the comment by her brother Jerome below
We are grateful to Francis Duggan for his poetic memory of our late sister Mary Bridget.However just one slight correction– her ashes are interred in St Mary’s,Millstreet with our parents.
As I am living away from home for years,and now retired,I enjoy your website, and indeed recently attended the Ballydaly GAA reunion. Againt hanks to your contributers for all the local news, for us that are away.
Jerome Ring.