1916 Commemorative Poem to Hollyfort women

I was delighted to be asked to write a poem to celebrate the opening of the 1916 Commemorative Garden by the Bann River in Hollyfort, The garden is  dedicated to Aileen Keogh and Maire Comerford, Hollyfort women activists during the 1916 Rising.

These women knew their place

for Aileen and Máire

We plant a garden

on cleared, re-seeded ground

to remember new beginnings

look towards the hills of Hollyfort

where hope dared to dream

in the tobacco fields and ditches.

We plant three granite stones

for remembrance

a path to lead the way

a flag to fly

in the face of despair.

These women nursed their visions

never faltered in the chase

for in the story of this land

these women knew their place.