Tribute To Iveragh

The composer of this song was Patrick McCarthy jnr. He was residing in the Staff Barracks, Tralee, at the time of its composition. He was a frequent contributor to ‘The Kerryman’.  The location of Mount Luke mentioned in the fifth verse is on the West side of the road when heading towards Cuas Crome.

There’s a spot in the Kingdom of Grandeur so fair,

A cead mile failte is always found there,

While beauty and splendour can ever be seen,

On the hills towering high over Caherciveen.

The ruins of Carhan that spot still adorn,

Where the noble O’Connell that leader was born;

Who stood at the helm and sternly fought

In defence of the faith St. Patrick had brought.

To God I feel sure, would his thoughts often roam,

While he gazed on the scenes ‘round his babyhood home,

Enraptured his soul when up glancing he saw,

The harvest moon shine on the hills of Iveragh.

The sports-field now open, is spacious and grand,

A monument true to Con Keating ‘twill stand

Whose name is enrolled amongst those we revere;

A hero who died for the cause he held dear.

By the old Rocky road, ‘tis a pleasure to stray,

Or along to mount Luke on a fine summer’s day,

And meet those people, all lovely and kind,

With cailíns all graceful, light-hearted, refined.

But alas for this town, and surroundings so grand;

Its exiles are scattered in many a land,

In search of a living they sadly must roam,

Far away from the scenes of their dear native home.