Poem written by Martin McGuinness 'Fullerton's Dam' read at his Month's Mind mass

A poem written by the late former deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness was read out at his Month's Mind mass at St Columba's Church Long Tower last night.

The poem was ready by Mr McGuinness' daughter-in-law Fiona.

It is entitled 'Fullerton's Dam' and was written by Mr McGuinness about a reservoir in Inishowen named after former Sinn Fein Donegal Councillor Eddie Fullerton who was killed by the UDA IN 1991.

The poem reads as follows:

'Purple heathered hillsides clothe the peaty bogs leaching streams of water swimming pools for frogs.

'Down along the glenside a rich brown vein does run to meet and greet another beneath the rising sun.

'Here below twin bridges the Crana springs to life amid kamikaze midges where father found his wife.

'At castle gates salmon waits out in the Swilly blue for destiny and a leaper’s spate to bring her home so true.

'A creator with an earthy face decreed his plan would make this valley the perfect place to gather raindrops in a lake." 

Mr McGuinness passed away last month following a short illness.

Also present at the mass were the wider McGuinness family, Sinn Fein Leaders Gerry Adams and Michelle O'Neill and Foyle MP Mark Durkan.