This poem was written by Roseanne Martin from O’Neill Street, Carrickmacross, and published in ‘The Farney Leader’ (1908-1909), which was edited by her brother, John Edmond Martin.
Lough na Glac is also known locally as the Convent Lake, which is overlooked by St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
The poet refers to St. Joseph’s Cemetery in the second verse as,
‘... a daisied, green-capped hill
Where chiselled stones are sentry keeping...’
Lough na Glac
By Lough na Glac's green banks I strayed
One evening when the sun was low,
Across its surface soft winds played
And chased the wavelets to and fro;
The bright spring moon had thrown around
Her silvery light on plain and hill,
But sweeter far her light was found
Upon thy waters calm and still.
Nearby a daisied, green-capped hill*
Where chiselled stones are sentry keeping,
And tell in voices sweet though still,
Of loved ones long beneath them sleeping.
Oh! Holiest spot, for evermore,
May angels hover round thy shade,
And may I, when my life is oe'r,
Within thy sacred folds be laid.
Hushed are the voices of the night
For now the hours are quickly stealing,
But lo! What sound throbs with delight –
'Tis Convent bells from Carrick pealing;
The lake sends back their tone in mirth
With ecstasy my heart is riven,
I must have journeyed from this earth
I must have got a glimpse of Heaven!
The poem and photograph are courtesy of PJ McCabe, Carrickmacross.