My name is Tony Fallon and Betty and I grew up about 8 miles apart.
I've been in New York for almost 60 years.I've written for many
newspapers in Ireland and America and have been on the radio
for 47 years and I owned a DiscJockey businss in NYC area.
I write poetry and have one book published.
I am the Poet Laureate of Cairo New York. I inherited the
Fallon and Groarke brains as I left school when I was 16.
Betty'sPoem 2024TonyFallon615
The saddest day of Betty's life was leaving her home place
With everything she owned that day in a little suit case
Her last week was sad and lonesome her mind full of gloom
As she thought back to her mother now buried in Kiltoom
She remembered her childhood and friends with whom she'd grown
It wouuld be months before she'd again see the lights of Athlone
To the emigrant boat like many before she was assigned
Sadly leaving her young siblings and relatives behind
I'm sure like many others she had a lonesome attack
With few prospects in Ireland there was no going back
Alas she and Davey were not the first or last transplants
There were more to follow the generation before lost aunts
Over there already she had first cousins named Coyne
Maybe with the help of God within days they would rejoin
The sun may have shone that day but all were sad and sullen
The day Betty Fallon left her first home in Ardmullen
The scenery was unbeaten even in cold winter chill
You could see to Rahara walking down that big hill
Coming home you would have to be healthy and physical
Because no one ever rode to the top on their bicycle
One side was the Shannon the other a disappearing Lake
In summer it had pike in winter wild geese, duck and drake
The farm was very productive with its rich Roscommon lome
But so sloped up and hilly the cows would rarely come home
We now realize her staying power and endurance skills
Were learned at an early age walking those Ardmullen hills
We are double first cousins two sisters married two brothers
We had the same grandfathers and the same grandmothers
She walked to Curraghboy school daily in clothes of wollen
Returning every day at four to the hill of Ardmullen
The train went to Dublin and the old boat to Hollyhead
From Hollyhead to Eustace station the train quickly sped
To get a decent job fast was now her great ambition
While reading ads in Double 3 she secured a position
Either God was smiling on her or they loved her Irish cheer
How many girl's on their very first day start a new career
At that job and others she served food on many tables
And for three generations she rocked a lot of cradles
All the jobs and work she did she was just like a machine
You would not believe her story on a big movie screen
As the children came along and the family grew in size
She moved to Caledonia Road and later Hornsey Rise
Though she has conquered London for about six decades
The memory of Carrowkeel and Ardmullen never fades
The sweet memories of Betty's lifetime we can not replace
Now there are four genetations from Betty down to Grace
Since I mentioned Grace there is Oscar Jude Harry and Hayden
There's Elliot Archie and Amelia a teenage maiden
As the children enjoy the food around this big buffet
We would love food like that when we were saving hay
Living far from home the birth of her children she took in stride
With Elizabeth and Michael first she showed them off with pride
When Angela and James came later they each had three sibs
She said I'm finished with cradles there will be no more cribs
Since she and Angela share a birthday they yearly dine
Talk about the old days and share a bottle of red wine
I said I'd include all grandchildren that was a promise
There is Dean Leah Rebecca Rosie and Thomas
Also Jamie Michael Keith Ashley and Louise
I almost forgot Melissa and that wouldn't please
When God invented Betty Fallon he threw away the code
And set down before her a long narrow and winding road
Yet after all those tough years we know she has succeeded
She was there with help for her family when she was needed
I'm sure all look up to her she is experienced and wise
But I'm still fifty days older than her that is no surprise
I live in New York now far from Rahara and Barnacullen
A Happy Birthday to my cousin Betty from Ardmullen