When Callanan Wrote Gougane Barra

When Callanan wrote Gougane Barra he penned the impeccable rhyme A poem that has survived for centuries and has outlived the Seasons of time Though he died at a young age in Portugal from the place he glorified in verse far away He surely was a master wordsmith and his legend is living today There will never be one more quite like him for he had music in his song His distinctive racy rhymes are full of rhythm in a class of his own he belong In his time amongst the poets of Ireland he was one who was to the fore He left for the far warmer climate and to his Homeland returned never more The poems of J J Callanan works of great beauty he was one of the best of Ireland His poems that have brought joy to so many are so easy to understand He died and was buried in Portugal his legacy to humanity beautiful rhyme His poems have a distinctive rhythm and have withstood the great test of time The Convict Of Clonmel, Gougane Barra and The Recluse Of Inchydoney live as testament to his fame And The Outlaw Of Loch Lene a work of great beauty so many great poems to his name His journey in life in Cork did begin but in Portugal he lived his last night and day And far from the River Lee waters his last remains forever does lay.