14/01/2025
Tuesday 14th January is Poetry at work day! ❤✍️
This stunning poem by Wendy Hanna captures the beauty of our beloved Mourne Mountains which can been seen in the photo taken last week beside Murlough Country House!
You’re off to great places, today is your day
The mountains are calling, so be on your way.
There’s no better place than the Kingdom of Mourne
For with natural beauty this land is adorned.
If you dander around the Valley, climb the steps to Ben Crom dam,
You can marvel at the structure, where creation pairs with man.
The vast expanse of water, let’s stop and take it in
The shimmering surface dances, around the overflows brim.
The trees, the streams, the slope so green, the boathouse built in stone,
The walks, the stops, the silence, what a wonderful place to roam.
Come spring, summer, winter or fall, there’s beauty unfolding throughout it all. Perhaps you’ll ramble onward to the famous Mourne Wall.
22 miles of Mourne granite stone, 1.5 metres tall.
And taking 18 years to build, crafted with tremendous skill,
They travelled by foot, for miles and farther
The stone was tough, but the men were harder.
The wall extends over steep mountain faces
Yet no cement was used, only in extreme cases.
And still standing strong, almost 100 years
Not built with machines, but with blood, sweat and tears.
On to Slieve Binnian, standing so high,
You may be relieved to reach the stile.
Ask the ramblers why do you climb?
Well it tests the body, rests the mind.
Let’s fly with the raven for a birds eye view
Over Dunny water where Binnian tunnel runs too.
Past the Brandy Pad where the smugglers walked
What stories?…. if only those hills could talk.
Slieve Donard’s summit, a deafening hush
Time stands still no need to rush.
Absorb the view, take in the sights
And Wow! how Percy French was right!
The well renowned fairways of Royal County Down
On a clear day two yellow giants may be found
If you know where to look, look very hard
Afar off is Harland & Wolfe shipyard.
The quarries on our mountainsides
Once supplied stone both near and worldwide,
Famous monuments have been built on request
With craftsmanship known to be best.
There are many sights in the world to be seen
And we know that far off fields look green
But whether you settle, visit or roam
You’re from a great place if Mourne is your home.
By, Wendy Hanna
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