J 1 - Comhaltas Archive

The Brindle Puck Goat
Mick Kane, from Lacken, Rosenallis, is
a poet with an unusual talent - he
composes dittys and refrains on local
happenings which are highly emotional ­
and picturesque.
His method of work is choosing an
air and then putting the words to it.
He has been doing this since he was
twelve years of age and never got
musical tuition. Mick also plays the
accordion and is associated with the
Clonaslee branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri
Eireann.
When he is asked to sing he is always
asked to sing one of his own compositions.
People never like to hear him sing
any of the modern ballads. So far Mick
has made about eleven or twelve songs
about different things.
One of the funniest songs he - has
composed was about the time he went
to the summer fair in Mountmellick in
1964. Mick was bringing cattle to the fair
when he saw this brindle puck goat,
which he decided he was going to buy.
He went to Larry Hogan, the owner, and
offered him £1 .
Larry said it would cost twenty two
shillings as there was a few words of
advice to be given with the goat. Mick
gave the twenty two shillings and the
words of advice were that the goat liked
to wander on the mountains whenever
he got the chance.
Mick's story goes on: "I got the goat
by the horns and was heading home. Just
as we were leaving Mountmellick the
goat gave a jump and twisted out of my
grasp, so I jumped on the goat's back and
held onto his hair. Both of us went hell
for leather towards Rosenallis and when
we reached Craze Hill the goat stopped.
I was afraid to get off in case it ran away
so I slept on his back all night.
"In the morning we headed for
Clomislee. When we reached Tinnahinch
Bridge we met a traveller and the goat
ripped off his coat. The traveller began to
shout for help and this frightened the
goat and it made for the mountains. I
14
fell off his back but managed to grab hold
of his tail.
"Up we went to the strand beside the
River Barrow, across Denis Feirighy's
pastures, past Packy Dunne's house on
the top of the mountain and flew past
Owen Clear. When we reached Upper
Cone, there was a water fall and the goat
swam it like a tadpole. We never stopped
until we got to Roscrea where sadly the
goat got away.
"From that day to this, I have not
seen sight nor light of the puck goat
but t have two theories, as to its whereabouts
; one, it found its way back to
Larry Hogan, the owner, or the other
that it found its way back to the mountain,
where its ancestors still roam."
- "Leinster Express".
KILKENNY
FEILE CHEOIL
August 12/13, 1978
Jim McCauley of Kilkenny reminds us
that the above-mentioned Feile Cheoil
will be organised by the Kilkenny Branch
of Comhaltas in St. Kieran's College and
will consist of:
(a) Competitions in all Comhaltas
Instruments for all age groups.
(b) Competitions in Irish Dancing.
(c) Music Session on Sat. Night 12th
August.
(d) Prize-winners Concert on Sun.
night 13th August.
Accommodation:
(a) Rooms for the various competitions.
(b) Rooms for individuals or groups
to have refreshments which they
may bring with them.
(c) A Restaurant where refreshments
will be on sale.
e d) Rooms where musicians may meet
and play music.
(e) Overnight accommodation (Bed &
(Breakfast) at moderate cost.
In his own words Jim McCauley tells us
the purpose of the Feile Cheoil: -
(a) Many of our traditional musicians
from Britain and America take their
holidays in August. Our FEILE CHEO IL
is intended to offer them a 'platform'
on which they may display their
musical talent while they are waiting
to go to the All-Ireland FLEADH
CHEOIL.
(b) The date and venue of our FEILE
CHEOIL will, we hope, fill a 'lacuna'
in Comhaltas activities leading up to
the All-Ireland FLEADH CHEOIL.
(c) The historic city of Kilkenny is a
'Mecca' for our tourists. Very many of
them came looking for Irish Cultural
activities which are truly traditional.
Our FEILE CHEOIL is intended to
satisfy such a demand.
All Enquiries to:
Mr. Jim McCauley,
"W oodpark",
Great Oak,
Callan, Co. Kilkenny. TeI. 056 - 25162.
Or
Mr. Peter McCauley,
6 Radnor Gardens,
Enfield,
Middlesex, England.
TeI. London 353-1726.