A poem extolling the beauty of Islandeady, the birthplace of Taoiseach Enda Kenny, written by an Islandeady woman, was quoted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, at the annual Friends of Ireland luncheon in Washington on St Patrick¹s Day. The House Speaker, John Boehner, was paying tribute to Enda Kenny on his election as Taoiseach.
He said many who came to America during the Famine period originated from the shores of the west coast of Ireland, near a small village in county Mayo called Islandeady.
"For Ireland's new Taoiseach, Islandeady is home," said the Speaker.
He said he recently read a poem about Islandeady, written by Pauline Rice.
It begins: "From the lake in Islandeady, there's a view of seven hills,
Near the ancient Churchyard ruin wherein the Maker tills,
Birds sing sweetly in the trees ­ waves wash on the shore,
And lap about the anchored boats as fish leap by the score."
The Taoiseach, who attended the annual dinner of Islandeady GAA Club, said he was surprised and delighted to hear the Speaker read out the opening
verse of the poem which captured the beauty of his native parish.
Pauline, who is secretary of the Islandeady Heritage Action Group, said she
wrote the poem nearly twenty years ago, and always believed the scenery of
Islandeady equalled that of any place in the world.
The following is the full speech of Speaker John Boehne. It is titled: The luck and loyalty of the Irish.
Thank you all for being here today. There¹s luck in sharing, according to an
old Irish proverb. Today, we thank our guests not only for sharing their
national holiday with us. We also celebrate our shared values and ideals. We
rededicate ourselves to shared priorities of peace, freedom, and prosperity.
Hospitality has always been a trademark of the friendship between our
peoples. Over the centuries, millions of Irish have come to America seeking
a fresh start, and millions of Americans have gone to Ireland in search of a
better pint.
Just as the proper pour takes skill and balance, so does governing in these
challenging and uncertain times. So may I say Taoiseach, on behalf of the
whole House, that we and the people we represent stand with you and your
people.
"It is the least we can do, really. America, as you know, was founded on a
beautiful idea ­ that all who God created free should be free and that men
and women could, given freedom and liberty, advance their station and live
out their dreams. And when that idea has been tested, as happens with ideas,
we have been fortunate to count on the luck and the loyalty of the Irish.
"Because of the Irish, America is a richer, freer, and yes, a bit noisier
country than it would have been. As a matter of fact, many who came over
during the famine period originated from the shores of the west coast of
Ireland, near a small village in County Mayo called Islandeady. For
Ireland¹s new Taoiseach, Islandeady is home.
"I recently read a poem about Islandeady, written by Pauline Rice. It
begins: "From the lake in Islandeady there¹s a view of seven hills,
Near the ancient Churchyard ruin wherein the Maker tills,
Birds sing sweetly in the trees ­ waves wash on the shore,
And lap about the anchored boats as fish leap by the score.¹
These lines describe the beauty of a part of Ireland where St. Patrick once
preached the Gospel, and as the legend goes, drove out all the snakes.
"I am Patrick," he said, "a sinner, the least learned of men, least of all the
faithful, most worthless in the eyes of many. The Apostle of Ireland¹s
teachings humble us and remind us we are mere mortals doing God¹s work here on Earth."
"Today we continue a tradition begun by one of my predecessors, Tip O¹Neill
of South Boston, a great-great-great grandson of Cork. Tip started this
event as a show of solidarity at a time when darkness had fallen on parts of
the Emerald Isle, and its people yearned for peace and unity.
In that same spirit, if you would all now join me in a toast:
To the Taoiseach and his new government, may it have every success;
And to the friendship between our peoples, may it continue and prosper;
May the good Lord take a liking to you, but not too soon.
To your health
Below is the full text of Pauline Rice's poem which was written in 1992.

Islandeady Hills 

 From the lake in Islandeady there is a view of seven hills

Near the ancient Churchyard ruin wherein the Maker tills

Birds sing sweetly in the trees - waves wash on the shore

And lap abut the anchored boats as fish leap by the score

To view the wioods of Rehins near the town of Castlebar

And the lovely Isle of Bilberry like patchwork from afar

Proud Nephin Mor is peeping from behind Glenisland peaks

A pathway on this heather hill a happy wanderer seeks

The Reek is standing sentinal o¹er Sheeaune to the west

It¹s pilgrim path winds clearly to this lofty peak so blest

The rolling Drimneen drumlins and Leitir and Fairhill

From high Kilfea to Greenhills you forget the world is ill

It¹s nice to be in safe keeping in this hollow of God¹s hand

As graceful swans are gliding in the quiet watered land

The Jacksnipe winging swiftly sounds like a kid goats cry

On a glowing Springtime evening as the sunset fills the sky

The golden rays shine on the Church in Rinaseer so grand

It¹s Mass path trod for centuries along the fertile land

These gentle folk have all passed on to join the Angels high

To walk the roads of Heaven in their Kingdom in the sky

In Autumn bright reflections on calm lake waters glow

As russet birch and hazel groves produce a dazzlintg show

Holly berries - hips and haws - in every hedgerow swings

To keep the wild birds well fed as the merry robin sings

When my days are ended the mountains they will stand

Majestically all blue and gold around this lovely land

I¹ll make my last long journey to the spot the Maker tills

To rest in peace beside the lake among the seven hills

*Pauline Rice (written 1992)

So there you are coming to the end of what has been an eventful month for Enda Kenny and, indeed, his native Islandeady. If the Obamas are ever looking for a Poet Laureate in the White House they need look no further than Pauline.

 

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