My late Dad’s favourite poem

The Fiddler of Dooney (by WB YEATS)

WHEN I play on my fiddle in Dooney,
Folk dance like a wave of the sea;
My cousin is priest in Kilvarnet,
My brother in Moharabuiee.
I passed my brother and cousin:
They read in their books of prayer;
I read in my book of songs
I bought at the Sligo fair.
When we come at the end of time,
To Peter sitting in state,
He will smile on the three old spirits,
But call me first through the gate;
For the good are always the merry,
Save by an evil chance,
And the merry love the fiddle
And the merry love to dance:
And when the folk there spy me,
They will all come up to me,
With ‘Here is the fiddler of Dooney!’
And dance like a wave of the sea.

 

Poem by Patrick Kavanagh

Memory of My Father

 

Every old man I see

Reminds me of my father

When he had fallen in love with death

One time when sheaves were gathered.

 

That man I saw in Gardiner Street

Stumble on the kerb was one,

He stared at me half-eyed,

I might have been his son.

 

And I remember the musician

Faltering over his fiddle

In Bayswater, London.

He too set me the riddle.

 

Every old man I see

In October-coloured weather

Seems to say to me

“I was once your father.”

 

• Patrick Kavanagh

Local Poetry&Prose anthology launch this sunday 17th

Migrating Minds 5  book from the community of Bayside Writers and friends

will be launched this sunday 17th at 2.30 in Bayside Community Centre

(near Church and Bayside Inn)

Free parking available

A lovely Christmas gift. Great variety of contributors

Some of Dad’s Famous Sayings

Some of Dad’s Famous Sayings

“We don’t thank God enough”

“For today, today’s troubles are enough”

“Virtue is in the mean”

“The middle way”

“Don’t do too much”

“Get enough rest”

“Give your head a rest”

“Keep it simple”

“Tomorrow will take care of itself”

“Don’t trouble trouble, until trouble troubles you”

“Don’t sweat the big stuff” (paraphrase)

“Always do the right thing”

“Does it really matter?” (paraphrase)

“Mind yourself”

(to be continued in due course)

Big Thanks

I would just like, on behalf of our family, to thank Fr Gerry, Fr Ray and Barbara and all in Howth parish who were so kind. Jim Mc Caffrey was a really great and timely help too. Full of calm.

I am very impressed at the depth of love in Howth community.

eg Joe Doherty driving home Dad’s car after he collapsed.

Nuala Mc Dermott breaking the news so very sensitively.

So many have been so supportive.

The Light of Christ in the darkness.

God bless,

Paul

 

Dad appreciated

A Joint Communique

Tom was from Sligo,

The youngest and last surviving member of the Wickham family.

He went to school in Castlemartyr college in Cork,

and became a Carmelite postulant and novice for a short time.

Tom became a Pharmacist encouraged by his sister, Sheila.

He met Mary, his wife for 55 years, while training in Killybegs,  Co Donegal.

He played for Donegal county, a legendary centre forward.

He worked at management level in Leo Laboratories until his retirement.

Later he worked in Neilstown family Pharmacy.

He loved the horses and won many Jackpots, earning the nickname

‘The Jackpot King ‘

He loved Our Lady of Fatima and the Rosary,

good music, serious reading but above all his family.

Watched Mass everyday on the Fatima website.

He was good at texting too but did not overdo it.

He was interested in history and current affairs, a great mind.

Tom made friends easily, enjoying Probus when he finally retired.

He had a lot of illness but always recovered, cared for by Mary.

Generous and kind, he especially loved his Grandchildren.

Mary said ‘He was always there for me ‘.

God rest him now.

 

Appreciating my late Dad, Tom

Here are ways i would like to become like my late Dad

1. In intelligence and knowledge eg of medicine
2. In Faith and prayer
3. In self discipline
4. In a good sense of humour
5. In a strong sense of personal authority
6. In loving devotion to wife and family
7. As a great bread winner
8. As someone who enjoyed music and sport
9. As a serious reader eg of history
10. In stamina
11. In generosity
12. In reliability
13. In conversation
14. In tolerance