A Skellig List 1951

This Skellig list was donated anonymously to the Binneas Collection. It was in printed form and probably appeared in some other publication yet to be identified. An accompanying note stated that it was collected from a woman near Castlegregory, Co Kerry.

The Sceilig ship is on the bay the ‘Mad Rover’ is its name

And its cargo of Bachelors and old Maidens we’ll list on the role of fame

The voyage to the Sceiligs may be calm or may be rough

But those who stick it out will be seasoned and tough.

The first to step on board the ship was the lazy Michael Lynne

Who will have to wait another year before he can begin

Two years ago he made a break but it was all in vain

And when he saw ‘Tom Slops’ fat lass he said he’d try again.

At Ballyglass in Annascaul the night was dark and windy

Who should I meet coming up the street but Buckley and Minnie shy

The next I met was the jobber Breen looking for his coat

I said I saw it on Buckley who was acting like the Dingle Puck Goat.

Next is Paddy Connolly the swank from Boherbwee

Only for his opponent Patrick Breen what a happy man he’d be

From Dingle side there came a lass her name was Doreen Britten

Young Tom came on and took her off and left the Paddys sitting.

From year to year I see him here Bill Miles the pip Detecter

I am sure there is twenty more for him upon the ‘Hanging Dresser’

One day in search of pulp Lizzie Hanlons he did make

Although he got none he’d lots of fun and devoured a Xmas cake.

Our musician Patsy Rea who hails from Knockmealmore

The hinges he has torn almost off Jeff Millers cabin door

He’s badly struck in Dora Fay, he say she is the one

And when he get his way they will wheel around the fun.

The Sec. of the Clash G.A.A. his name is Edward Breen

Working for old women he is so awful keen

Two years he has been courting that lass they call Noreen

But across the seas in a foreign land for the past few weeks she has been.

Ye all know Tim Taylor that lad so full of game

He took a trip across the Irish Sea but there he got no dame

And now he is back again and Mick Harvey he has done out

About Nellie Britten they had an argument and it ended in a bout.

The next is C. J. Breen the two pence half-penny jobber

In courting Patty Fitz he seems to be getting great bother

He has a tidy farm and stocks old ewes and rams

But when he’ll wed his Patty he’ll have to stock some prams.

Now Daniel Breen of Conna he is Paddy Parry’s right hand man

He is in love with Doreen Kavanagh and they say he is dead on

Doreen is a beauty the sweetest of them all

But I am sure there’s poor hope for Daniel if Rob Goggin cares at all.

Our Captain Jimmy Britten his football days are gone

He’s courting Mollie McGarry and he say he’ll be the man

He’s out all night with rabbits and sometimes catches one

And when he come around the Cross he boasts of what he done.

Next Phil Hanrahan he thinks he is a mechanic

If this does not get the lady for him he’ll be in an awful panic

He often takes a trip to the village of Annascaul

And if there is anything wrong with his Eileen Connolly he’s sure to fix it all.

The next upon the list is Ben Fitz’s daughter Meg

Her Auntie has a lot of cash and she is sure to be her heir

This proud maid is now engaged to Mulligan’s delicate son

And the day they will be married will be a day for fun.

Christine Hanley is the next who is so small and pale

But oh her courting story is a sad and mournful tale

First Don Hanlon left her down then it was Dicky Penn

Now she is sad and lonesome and finished up with men.

Our little Maisie Casey she is a pretty dame

She has had a go with all the boys but I do not know all the names

In Doran’s Pete she was deadly struck and taught she’d got some where,

But Nora Browne was too sly and sadly left her there.

Next is Nancy Hanley she thinks she is a Queen

Her singing in the choir is enough to make you screem

She is fond of those dances and attend them every night

But Cassidy make so little of her that he go where ever he like.

At Castle town the 11th of March a team will take the field

But a man like ‘Old Legs’ this parish cannot yield.

His football boots he has hung up and now its women and beer

And if he does not get sensible its the ‘County Home’ I fear.

The last is Minnie Hanrahan who once was of men so shy

But now she has change her methods and she is very sly,

To find out who she is going with is a job too much for me

But when she’s down in Maharees tis Drummonds for the tea.

I must conclude a finish but I had some more to say

All my friends who are not in this I’ll deal with some other day

When some of you are married and have a child or two

Remember they will be out all night just doing what you did do.