Thurles Information

“Ode To River Suir, Thurles”

Poem by Michael Bannon, Littleton, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.

“Ode To River Suir, in Thurles”

From clear mountain fountains your waters begin,
Through Tipperary’s fields, where the sunlight shines in.
From Clonmel to Waterford, proud is your lore,
Your song will be carried forever and more.

From high on the hillside you wander in grace,
Through towns and through counties you leave your embrace,
From Thurles to Waterford, strong is your lore,
Your story will echo forever and more.

The fisherman casts out his line,
The heron waits, the sunlight shines,
The bridges span wide where the townspeople go,
You’ve carried their stories, through sunshine and woe.

But today in your waters the dark stains are seen,
The plastics and waste, where that bright flow had been,
Yet still you keep moving, though wounded and sore,
We’ll fight for your freedom, to forever restore.

Your waters, once sparkling, now carry the pain,
Of plastics and shadows that darken your name,
Yet hope in the future will see you run clear,
We’ll cherish and heal you, my own River Suir.

Now rubbish and poison are clouding your flow,
The bright silver waters are struggling to glow,
But still you keep moving, so steady, so sure,
Time to stand up and guard you, to forever endure.

END