Suzanne’s poem is set in stone forever

June 1998

It’s not often that a second level student comes out with words so profound that they should be set in stone.

However, Suzanne Scallan is an exception, and one of her splendid poetic works has just been cast in stone and gone on public display in The Bullring in Wexford.

Suzanne, who is a 5th year student in the Presentation, was successful in winning a Wexford Corporation poetry competition on the theme of 1798.

Her poem, entitled ‘ The Year of ‘98’, was selected out of dozens of entries by playwright Billy Roche as the poem which has best captured the mood of this commemorative year.

Her prize was to have the poem set in stone and inlaid into the ground directly behind the Pikeman in the newly-renovated Bullring.

Suzanne, who hails from Castlebridge, is a top student of English teacher Carmel Rochford, who says that her young pupil is thrilled about her win.

‘She is very excited about it. The poem is going to be there forever,’ said Carmel.

On Sunday, Suzanne read out her poem before President Mary McAleese at the formal re-opening of The Bullring as part of the Wexford Comóradh weekend.

It reads as follows:

‘I stood and gaze upon the oak,

That told so many stories,

Of people brave and saddening days

And some of life’s many glories.

The wind, it blew so harsh and strong, I sensed this time that I didn’t belong. I looked at the world, at it being destroyed Soon our paradise would become a void, Soon I would die, and my days would be gone, I wanted this town to still stand strong. Dwell on this when you stop or pass, And make this town of ours last.’