The Eagle of the North

Aodh Ruadh O'Domhnaill
________________________________________________________

On the banks of the river Mayo the two armies line up.
The British on one side, wearing scarlet tunics with puffed
sleeves. They are heavily armed and carry the banner of St. George.
On the other, Red Hugh, his army at his side.
He has led them to victory, everywhere in the land.

The British captain signals for a parley. The boy commander
and the veteran captain meet to discuss terms of peace.
A month passes and the truce comes to nothing.
The English captain raises his camp and begins to march
away from the river.

Red Hugh's horsemen pursue the troops. No attempt
is made by the British captain to stop them.
A hedge comes into view. The pursuers are being led into a trap.
Men have been stationed there earlier, to shoot down
the Irish horsemen as they leap their horses across.

Red Hugh, young eagle eye, sees the danger. He races his
horse ahead and stops his men before they can
reach the hedge and certain death.

Plan foiled, the British captain and his troops
continue on their way out of the land. He cursed against
fate that caused him to,"loose in Ireland, the smallest speck
in the wide world" the military fame he had earned
in France and Belgium.

Red Hugh darted like a flame through the north.
He swept through Ulster, and drove out the British
sheriffs, hurling their forces before them.
The invader was driven out. The Irish chiefs were taught
that The O'Donnell was their leader and prince.

Return to The O'Donnell

NextPage Poetry

 

 

This page is dedicated to the prolific and wonderful Barry Taylor.
(I like this version the best. :-))

The music you are hearing is Mist on the Mountain.
Midi sequenced by Barry Taylor

Click here to return to Contents Page