THE BALLAD OF KILWORTH TOWN

In Kilworth town of high renown, a place ye all know well It was up at the top of Downing this young man used to dwell For the striking of a policeman in the town of sweet Fermoy He was forced to travel far and near and his name for to deny.

My name is Williameen Ryan and me age is twenty six My mind it won't be easy until Snowball I will fix

For I will blast him with my pistol for I know he won't be found And if get a chance of Snowball I'll nail him to the ground.

The morning I came out of jail well remembered it will be When Courtney the policeman he followed after me He followed me out Rathealy Road with a garsun by his side And the people said he was afraid and he brought him as a guide

He followed me out Rathealy Road as far as Miss Hinley's gate It was there I sheltered across the field for a little bite to eat I went into a tailor's shop I was hardly sitting down

When in comes Nolan and O'Brien like tigers from the town

I buttoned up me boots me boys and ran against the hill But here comes Snowball after me but thank God he fell I hid myself in an Ivy bough in Mrs Geary's ground

And if I lay there for seven years I never would be found

So now to conclude I must lay down my pen

My arms are scarcely able those grevious lines to fill

So fill your glasses to the brim let the toast go merrily round And here's health to William and Ryan the pride of Kilworth town.

Long serving MC, Michael Lyons Sr. chatting with Santa and Mrs Claus at the 2013 senior citizens’ party in Araglin. On the right is the late, Mary Fitzgerald, who was the mainstay of the party for so many years. (Pic: John Ahern)