We travel far, far away
To fly the flag for R.T.A.
At Strokestown first we made a stand
And swore we’d see our lovely land.
But first the water of the lake
Called us, a boat trip for to take
And off we sailed from Oughterard
Across the Corrib to fair Ashford
The lake was calm and rain fell fast
We reached the pier and land at last.
All marched in pairs up to the gate
Drank tea and soup and sandwiches ate.
And when at last we had our fill
Set out at once for Inchagaill.
The rain poured down through verdant trees
As we walked in muck up to the knees
It was so great to see the west
But that was just the initial test.
Like Kerry goats our thoughts jumped high
Ambition climbing to the sky
When Mary said, ‘We’re going east’
On our inheritance our eyes to feast.
And lo! We arrived at Leinster House
Where T.Ds air our every grouse.
What a day, that for a while
Our imaginations lived in style
On V’Soske Joycean carpets stair
Where Evie Hone left her trademark there
To walk the hallowed halls of fame
And meet our T.Ds name for name
But the Taoiseach never came to say
A welcome word to R.T.A.
Caroline Kelly
Note: Caroline composed this poem while travelling on the bus from Dublin and sang it to the tune of “The West Awake’ – amazing talent.