Tom Cunningham Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

Two years ago I attended the first ever Finucane family reunion at the Hodson Bay hotel on the banks of Lough Ree in Athlone, Ireland, I composed a welcome poem for my cousin Senan Finucane to read out at that event.

It was a memorable occasion with singing, dancing, a slideshow and poetry.

Over seventy people attended travelling from all over Ireland and England.

This weekend the second one is being held at Stratford Upon Avon ( birthplace of Shakespeare )

The Rise of the Finucanes

A big welcome to you all who’ve travelled from afar
By plane by boat and motor car
For a reunion here in Hodson bay
It will be I’m sure a memorable day.

From across the sea some have come today 
These are your hometowns and I will say
Tamworth, Evesham, Birmingham city
Burnley and Colne a town so pretty.

Cardiff and Sutton, London too
All gathered here for this reunion do
Closer to home Dublin Galway and Clare
Roscommon and Meath great places I swear.

Marriage brought other names into the clan
Meaney, Johnson, Gill, Cunningham, and Mann
Other names too and united we be
All members of the Finucane family.

Let’s go back to where it began 
Where are the roots of the Finucane clan ?
It started with Edmund and Mary too
Their children had children that’s me and you.

In Effernan, County Clare the seed was sown
Like a thriving bush we’ve grown and grown
But where did they go to that I can tell
Ireland England Australia as well.

But wherever they went they kept in touch
With Ireland their homeland that they loved so much
The legacy they left us is like a gold mine
We’re all descendants of the Finucane line.

Edmund and Mary, they’d be so proud
Looking down on us here a large happy crowd
Fide Et Fortitude is the motto on our crest
That sums us all up because we are the best.

We’ve sometimes met briefly to say goodbye 
To our loved ones we lost and to have a cry
But today is different, there won’t be tears
Just lots of laughter and maybe a few beers.

To see you all here is a wonderful sight
And we’ll do it again if the price is right
Somewhere hot or even back here 
Or maybe Dromoland if it isn't too dear.

I thank each and every one of you 
For making the journey to come to this do
Sadly, not everyone could be here today
But they’re here in spirit I can honestly say.


Written on 29th July 2017.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Gershon Wolf November 14, 2019 at 10:08 PM Wow, Tom! This must have been a spirited and special occasion, for sure!! Your wonderful poetic description transported me there for a few magic moments. THANKS! Best wishes, Gershon Tom Cunningham November 15, 2019 at 2:19 AM Thanks Gershon, it was a great occasion, the second one we've had now. Haven't been around much but hopefully I'm on the right side of dark. Hope you're well. Tom

Andrea Dietrich November 8, 2019 at 7:33 PM what a wonderful thing, family ties!! You did the Finucanes proud! Tom Cunningham November 9, 2019 at 3:35 PM Thanks very much Andrea, had our second gathering last weekend already planning our third for two years time. Tom.

Eve Roper November 7, 2019 at 1:41 AM Awe, a wonderful gathering in a beautiful place. Hugs Tom Cunningham November 7, 2019 at 12:42 PM Thanks Eve, it was a fantastic few days, already my cousin putting plans in place for the next one. Tom.

Jennifer Proxenos November 6, 2019 at 1:57 PM What a wonderful get together for a happily united extended family - It was for one and all it seems, a most memorable occasion. I love Shakespeare's Stratford Upon Avon and Anne Hathaway's cottage - spent three glorious days and nights there - unfortunately we did not know each other (through soup) 5 years ago. Blessings, Jennifer. Tom Cunningham November 7, 2019 at 12:43 PM Thank you Jennifer, had a fantastic few days in Stratford, great to meet up with my cousin's. Tom

John Gondolf November 5, 2019 at 7:38 AM Enjoyed reading this piece about your family, Tom, sounds like a great clan. Cheers! John Tom Cunningham November 5, 2019 at 3:20 PM Thanks John, had an amazing weekend, had slideshow, singing, dancing and got called upon to recite some poems, I could sleep for a week lol. Hope you're well. Tom

Judy Ball November 5, 2019 at 2:41 AM How wonderful to have such a large family all connected and loving each other. What a grand time that will be for all of you. I think it's great to be able to trace your roots back to the very beginning. I wish I could do that. Great stuff my friend. god Bless, JB Tom Cunningham November 5, 2019 at 3:14 PM Thank you very much Judy, we had our second gathering at the weekend, still catching up on lost sleep lol. Tom

Carolyn Devonshire November 3, 2019 at 5:24 PM How wonderful that so many members of your family were able to attend this event, Tom. It's very cool the way you are able to trace your family back to Edmund and Mary. (I have learn that my late husband, John, had a famous ancestor in 1215 - John of Devonshire.) I hope you share your wonderful, historical poem with all of your family members. They will treasure it! Love, Carolyn Tom Cunningham November 4, 2019 at 12:38 PM Thank you Carolyn, just back from the reunion, we had a slideshow, some poetry ( mine ) singing, dancing and catching up. An amazing few days, hopefully I'll catch up on soup tomorrow when I've had a good nights sleep. Tom

Demetrios Trifiatis November 3, 2019 at 7:29 AM Touching, warm, humane and artistic writing dearest, Tom! Do you welcome ...foreigners? Hahaha! Much enjoyed! Tom Cunningham November 4, 2019 at 12:32 PM Thank you Demetrious, You would be made very welcome to our gathering. I would introduce you to Guinness or two Tom

Panagiota Romios November 3, 2019 at 1:46 AM Masterpiece Tom Cunningham November 4, 2019 at 12:30 PM Thank you Panagiota, just had three days of partying, it was a great weekend. Tom

Gordon Mcconnell November 2, 2019 at 4:23 PM A great write Tom, hope you have a great weekend! Tom Cunningham November 4, 2019 at 12:29 PM Thanks Gordon, just back ,it was a great event ,singing, dancing ,slideshow and poetry. Three late nights, I could sleep for a week, wouldn't have it any other way. Tom

Silent One November 2, 2019 at 12:12 PM Seems like you are happy to be part of the clan.. an enjoyable read.. Tom Cunningham November 4, 2019 at 12:27 PM Thanks S.O., Just back after three days of partying, I could sleep for a week. Tom

Jan Allison November 1, 2019 at 2:11 PM what a fabulous rhyme Tom, hope you have a wonderful time with the extended family I expect the Guinness will be flowing freely too lol:-) hugs Jan xx Tom Cunningham November 2, 2019 at 6:49 AM Thanks very much Jan, had the meet and greet last night, the big event is today, with a meal, dancing and a slideshow, got some poems ready in case I'm called upon. Have a great weekend. Tom.

Heidi Sands November 1, 2019 at 11:26 AM This sounds very fun and was nice to read today. Enjoy! Thanks for sharing Tom :) Tom Cunningham November 1, 2019 at 11:36 AM Thank you Heidi, just getting ready to go to the second one. Have a great weekend. Tom

Vijay Pandit November 1, 2019 at 6:35 AM Happy get together, Tom! Loved your story.. but more so the spirit behind the story. Hope someone reads aloud your poem of welcome at the gathering--they will love it. Much enjoyed. Tom Cunningham November 1, 2019 at 10:32 AM Thanks very much Vijay, happy you liked it. The second gathering is tonight and the big day tomorrow, I've done another PowerPoint slideshow for the occasion. Tom

Arturo Michael November 1, 2019 at 6:16 AM YOU did this Superbly....a Master of ceremony... Tom Cunningham November 1, 2019 at 6:34 AM Thank you very much Arturo. Tom

Regina Mcintosh November 1, 2019 at 4:39 AM Definitely a great family reunion poem. Loved it tremendously.. I'm part Irish too :) Love to you, Gina Tom Cunningham November 1, 2019 at 4:57 AM Thank you very much Regina, happy you liked it , where were your irish family from./ Tom.