The night was gay with the moon's music

We stopped in Galway for a night on our way back home.

Every time there, I see new public poetry and extracts. There will be a few more over the coming days.

This podium was at the end of the pier as if addressing the city.

I continue to be more and more impressed.

Cork has so much catching up to do.

‘GALWAY

O the crossbones of Galway,
The hollow grey houses,
The rubbish and sewage,
The grass grown pier,
And the dredger grumbling
All night in the harbour:
The war came down on us here.
 

Salmon in the Corrib
Gently swaying
And the water combed out
Over the weir
And a hundred swans
Dreaming on the harbour.
The war came down on us here.
 

The night was gay
With the moon’s music
But Mars was angry
On the hills of Clare
And September dawned
Upon willows and ruins:
The war came down on us here.’
 

August – September 1939

Louis MacNeice
(1907 – 1963)