Looking Back: Ode to Kilcullen (1939)

We're indebted to Michael Nugent for resurrecting this poem about Kilcullen, published in the Autumn-Winter 1939 edition of the Newbridge Quarterly, the House Organ and News Bulletin of Dominican College, Newbridge.

Michael suggests that the author was obviously from Kilcullen, but has never heard of the Dix surname in the area. It would be great if there was some information out there in memory about young Peter Dix or his family.

In his ode, he paints a very rosy, even pious picture of Kilcullen. But one wonders, from his last line, if indeed he was indulging in a bit of 'leg-pulling'. 

ODE TO KILCULLEN

By Peter Dix (3rd Year).

On the banks of the dark, silent Liffey there stands

A homely old town built by skilled human hands,

If you travel from Cahirciveen to lonely Rathmullen

You won't meet a town that's as nice as Kilcullen.

When I mention the name of Kilcullen at school,

They tease me and jeer me and call me a fool.

Alas! how they mock it and with cruel words ill-treat it,

Although there's no town in all Ireland to beat it.

But I made a mess of it, for I did say

That top-deckers pass right through Kilcullen each day

For it was quite evident, even an ass

Could tell such an idea would ne'er come to pass.

In Kilcullen there's never a strike or a fight

And the people don't gamble or stay up all night.

They're as honest and upright as ever you'll see

From the mouth of the Lawrence to the Caspian Sea.

They start work on Monday at eight in the morn;

Some behind counters and some with the corn.

With labour incessant they toil all day long

And retire when they hear the sweet Angelus' song.

All during the week their own jobs they ply,

And recommence every morning with never a sigh;

And each little child to the weakest boy

Goes each day to school his face radiant with joy.

On each Sunday morning, Our Lord's resting-day,

The folks of Kilcullen flock forward to pray

In the country-town church which when packed to the door,

Doesn't lessen their fervour but increases it more.

So hurrah! for Kilcullen where no top-deckers pull in;

But bards with their learning hit you in the face full in.

Wise words from the Classics for ever a' cullin'.

And I beg to assure you that I'm not leg-pullin'.

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