Fr. Owen Devaney, County Longford, Ireland. Ordained fifty years ago approx. schooled St Mel’s, Longford Town, studied under Fr. Tommy O’Brien, then onto Maynooth. Came back and taught in St Mel’s, history and latin, was fond of the poetic verse of Virgil and Horace, tough reads but always enlightening if one stuck with it. Fr. Owen’s first teachers were of great importance to him, Ennybegs, with Mrs. Maguire, Mrs. McGoldrick and Master Kenny.  Earliest memories of home, father and mother reciting loved poetry, both were from Killoe, their mothers were both from Ohill, great grandmothers came from Glanmore and Clonfower. He served as a priest close to home in St Mel’s, and Rathowen, Mullahoran. 

A hope for many reasons, poetic verse written on board in school and copied by the children, but where did they come from. One was about an old man thanks to quick thinking saved the island dwellers from the tsunami by getting the young lad to run up and set the crops on fire at the top of the island. ”Ta oilean i lar na farraige sa domhan theas” the Father would love to track down the teachers journals at the time, he would love help in finding them, or if anyone remembers them, written on board by Master Frank Kenny. 

A book written by Father Owen, called ”In SUNSHINE Only a collection of verse”, (2017) printed and designed by Turners Printing Co. Ltd, Longford. With Photographs and verse, one sampled here, called ”Around Esker Hill” 

Remember those Sundays

Going to and from Mass, 

The traps and sidecars

Horses pony or ass, 

Girls all out in fine blouses

Starched white shirts of the men, 

The like that will never

Be seen round Esker again.

What great times we had

In that old parish hall,

Nights of singing and sketches

With a hop after all, 

Old Muddie’s long gone now

With her brush, key and shawl, 

Winds blow through the ruins

Of what was once Esker Hall. ”

Many many more with great insight and fond memories to name just a few with more titles like 

Sweet Killoe

Ballad of a Blacksmith

Haymaking Down the Bottoms

Tell ME Sean O’Farrell

The First Sow

Welcome Jesus to the Manger 

Rollickin Maggie.