cashel races by Francie heaney
In the year seventy eight, on a Monday serene
A race was appointed on sweet Cashel Green
Permitted by Campbell, some thousands did go
For to view those swift steeds on the plain of the Roe.
A light-footed hunter from Derry came there,
To erase the fame of McCloskey’s brown mare,
And a steeple- trained rider, selected had been,
To oppose brave McCloskey, that youth of fifteen.
When, in coursing array, the boys dressed to ride,
The fish in the Roe, all confounded, did hide.
Saying “Oft to the angler we have showed action keen
But there’s something still greater this day on the Green”.
As they mounted the saddle, the horns sure did sound,
Like a true bounding deer, then the horse he went round.
But the trusty brown courser soon led them to know
That she’d bear the plate from the Plain of the Roe.
Like a train of bow arrows they entered the line,
When Campbell’s good pony it was left behind
McCloskey’s brown courser her distance kept clear,
But Lynch’s swift hunter close after did steer.
As they belted the circle just for the last round,
The echoes of voices did ring in the mound.
Crying “Here comes McCloskey, dividing the air”.
For bold as an eagle, fast flew the brown mare.
When she passed the pole that stood on the Roe Plain,
The bettors assembled, their gold to obtain,
Well won by McCloskey, that youth of fifteen
With his matchless brown courser on sweet Cashel Green.
Now the praise of the riders, I’m not fit to tell,
They must come from Moscow, who could them excel,
Long live young McCloskey, good health with him flow,
He made spectators wonder that day at the Roe.
Success unto Campbell, and long may he reign,
May no vile intruder usurp the Roe Plain,
May each Easter Monday bring forth a new scene,
With the light-footed coursers on sweet Cashel Green.
(Young McCloskey) was from the “Harry” family, Boviel.
