The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Poem highlights Battle of Cuaisin
ON Saturday, November 26, Paul O’Leary, originally of Bishopstown, County Cork, will launch his book Spiritual Nirvana in the Red Fox Inn Glenbeigh, commencing at 8pm.
The book contains poetry by O’Leary himself and also other contributors. Music on the night will be provided by Strange Fruit with all proceeds going to the Kerry Hospice Foundation, the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind and Marymount University Hospital and Hospice of Cork.
A number of years ago O’Leary also launched a book entitled Death is Rebirth with the proceeds going to Tig An Oileáin, the Valentia Island centre for people with special needs.
Spiritual Nirvana contains a poem of O’Leary’s entitled the battle of Cuaisin Cinni. Cuaisin Cinni would be very familiar to patrons of Boston’s Bar of Knightstown as the snug there was named as such. It was named in honour of the late Miko Leary who frequently held court and socialised there. Miko provided much entertainment from his seat in that snug with his ability to tell a story and recall historic times in Valentia, told with much humour and wit.
Cuaisin Cinni is a fishing spot known to local fishermen, situated off the northern seascapes of Valentia east of Culloo Rock (a well known land fishing spot). Miko, as a fisherman, very often fished there and so the snug being Miko’s favourite and regular place of social enjoyment wasnamedassuch.
In recent times Paul O’Leary took the opportunity to go on a fishing expedition in the Cuaisin Cinni area in an angling boat aptly named Cuaisin Cinni, owned and skippered by Miko’s son Richard.
A very enjoyable day’s fishing was had by all which ultimately inspired his aforementioned poem, The Battle Cuaisin Cinni, written in 2008. The poem refers to well known Valentia northern seascapes landmarks such as Rinn a Dreolaun, Cromwell’s Point, Culloo Rock and the cliffs at Fogher.
Paul O’Leary is a Roads General Services Supervisor with Cork County Council, who has strong Kerry connections in the Beaufort area and also resides on and off in Glenbeigh.
He extends a big welcome to all to attend his book launch in the Red Fox on Saturday, November 26 on what is sure to be a memorable night of poetry reading, chat and recall of times past.