1997 Contents Lonely Gougane  Sung to the air of "The Bold Tady Quill" In the west of Cork County sequested and lonely There lies a meek, holy and beautiful lake Where nothing can rival with a surface so lovely As the breeze that comes down from that mountain so bleak. Descending quite rapidly those sparkling white fountains To swell its blue waters, majestic and calm. Surrounded by lofty precipitous mountains There lies the blessed island of lonely Gougane. Now fair Inchigeela in scenes they are splendid With beautiful valleys, long head lands and breaks And among their bright scenes we are surely out numbered By breakwater lilies that survive in the lake. Fair Ballingeary is famed in proportion That beautiful village with its well shaven lawns Yet nothing sublime can excite your emotions Until you are approaching sweet lonely Gougane. By Ceims lovely pass the rocks do assemble I'm sure they would fill the spectator with awe Fearing each moment that downward they'll tumble And give the spectator no time to withdraw. But the cliffs are so steep that the deer stands in danger It being the retreat of the Ro-buck and fawn Themselves so sublime for in awaiting the stranger To come to the place they call lonely Gougane. Now this beautiful island was once deeply planted The trees are now moulding unto decay, Where really its focus is a place of enchantment Where many a poor pilgrim so often did pray. The days of Finbarr, the saint so distinguished Prove worthy treasures retired and withdrawn It's cells are still seen in the ruins of the abbey That lies in that island of lonely Gougane. Not I to be gifted like Homer the Grecian Or had I the genius of famed Callinan A son so rightful, sublime and superior In praising the regions of lonely Gougane.