From The Anthology of Irish Verse

A Complete Account of the Various Colonizations of Ireland as Delivered by the Sage Fintan

By Anonymous


SHOULD any enquire about Eirinn,
It is I who can tell him the truth,
Concerning the deeds of each daring
Invader, since Time was a youth.

First Cassir, Bith’s venturesome daughter,
Came here o’er the Eastern Sea;
And fifty fair damsels she brought her—
To solace her warriors three.

Bith died at the foot of his mountain,
And Ladra on top of his height;
And Cassir by Boyle’s limpid fountain,
Ere rushed down the Flood in its might.

For a year, while the waters encumber
The Earth, at Tul-Tunna of strength,
I slept, none enjoyed such sweet slumber
As that which I woke from at length.

When Partholan came to the island,
From Greece, in the Eastern land,
I welcomed him gaily to my land,
And feasted the whole of his band.

Again, when Death seized on the strangers,
I roamed the land, merry and free,
Both careless and fearless of dangers,
Till blithe Nemid came o’er the sea.

The Firbolgs and roving Fir-Gallians,
Came next like the waves in their flow;
The Fir-Dennans arrived in battalions,
And landed in Erris—Mayo.

Then came the wise Tuatha-de-Danann,
Concealed in black clouds from their foe;
I feasted with them near the Shannon,
Though that was a long time ago.

After them came the Children of Milé,
From Spain, o’er the Southern waves:
I lived with the tribes as their Filea
And chanted the deeds of their braves.

Time ne’er my existence could wither,
From Death’s grasp I always was freed:
Till Patrick, the Christian, came hither
To spread the Redeemer’s pure creed.

My name it is Fintan, the Fair-man,
Of Bochra, the son, you must know it;
I lived through the Flood in my lair, man,
I am now an illustrious poet.

Some Irish toasts, and other prattle:

[www.stpatricksday.com] />
There are good ships,
and there are wood ships,
the ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships are friendships,
and may they always be.


Les

"when Irish guys are drinking
then there's sure to be a fight"

Paddy O Blarney with Tommy Mayhem
The Uncle Floyd Show

What is blue, yellow, green, Irish and found on your deck?

Paddy O' Furniture

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

john

<[www.emule.co.uk];

Heck, doesn't link for whatever reason:

[tinyurl.com]

Hugh, never let it be said that there is no such thing as a clean limerick:

God's plan made a hopeful beginning,
But Man spoilt his chances by sinning;
We trust that the story
Will end in great glory,
But at present the other side's winning.

Les