Louth man launches new book of poetry

Noel Sharkey pictured with Louth Co. Council Arts Officer Moya Hodgers whose generous grant helped towards the cost of Noel's latest poetry collection 'The Windings of The Labyrinth'.

The book launch, along with the authors compilation of Griffiths 1854 Valuation lists and Map of Haggardstown Parish, helped to raise €640 for Haggardstown/Dublin Road Community Alert at a recent history slide show presentation at Geraldine's community centre.

The total amount of monies now raised from Noel Sharkey's history and poetry books and slide show presentations of old photographs now amounts to €36,500 for various charities and causes.

Read Next: Dundalk IT’s university status in focus as Louth TD presses minister

His new poetry book 'The Windings of The Labyrinth' is on sale at Pat Flanagan Mace, Dublin Road, Haggardstown and also at Roe River Books, Dundalk. Price €5 per copy with all monies going to the Haggardstown Dublin Road Community Alert group.

One of the poems from the book is printed below:

THE REFUGEES

It's the refugees, always the refugees -
The detritus of wars and famines, unfortunates
Like these
Who must flee each decimated homeland;
Hungry, harried and chased;
Their sole possessions upon their backs -
Permanently displaced.

It's the refugees, always the refugees -
Trudging over deserts and surreptitiously
Sailing on the seas;
As they have from the dawn of time, as
They are sailing yet,
Forgetting what they wish to remember,
Remembering what they most wish to
Forget.