Morriscastle Strand - Tribute to Tom Rath by Ned Kavanagh Recited by Pat Rath

The poem I am about to recite, ‘Morriscastle Strand’, was written as a tribute to our father, Tom Rath, upon his death in 1995. It was written by Ned Kavanagh and recounts the story of the morriscastle fishermen in Kilmuckridge, Wexford. A group many local people were part of.


Morriscastle Strand - A Tribute to Tom Rath.

On the strand at Morriscastle, it seems but yesterday

Since we launched our fishing cots into its sheltered bay.

We’d steam up to old Ruske River and drift upon the flood,

Twas the best time to be on when the fishing it was good.

Then our nets we’d cast into the briny deep.

And to see if fish were running now and then we’d take a peep.

We’d drift in close by Brandy and Morriscastle gap

Again we’d proof our nets to see if herring did we trap.

We’d drift in by the Cush with our nets behind us stringing

And in the clear air of November we’d hear Ballygarrets church bell ringing.

At the point of Ballinoulart we’d haul in o’er the Lee

with our nets full of herring from the ever-giving sea.

Then we’d southward turn and heard her for the Strand

With the neighbours kindly waiting to lend their helping hand.

With herring in abundance there’s some would buy a crann

Some a dozen, two or three would be bought by every man.

With the evenings fishing over and the nets stored in her hold

Then with stories in galore we’d let the past unfold.

Those days are all gone past when the neighbours lent a hand

To shake the silver herring on Morriscastle’s sheltered strand.

Some old folks they are left and turning rather grey

And more have sailed and anchored in Heavens peaceful bay.