J J Callanan

The poet who immortalized Gougane Barra rests in peace forever more
Far from the countryside he glorified and Hibernia's lush green shore
In Portugal from County Cork many sea miles away
But the poems and songs of J J Callanan are alive and well today
He may lay far from Ireland but his poems alive and well
The Outlaw of Loch Lene, The Recluse Of Inchydoney and The Convict of Clonmel
As testament to the flowering genius of one who died so very young
The reaper claimed the life from him when his best he had not sung
As a poet and translator he was one of Ireland's best
And his work has stood the test of time which is the greatest test
Of any creative person the life from him may be long gone
But the beauty he created in the written word lives on
One of Ireland's finest poets many great poems he did write
And he left works of such beauty for others to sing, read and recite.