That was a great occasion, October eighty five
As the engine roars above our head, brought all Mayo alive
They said it could not happen, there was not the slightest hope
But that day four hundred pilgrims, flew out to see the pope
This lively verse is from a poem about Ireland West Airport Knock, penned by well-known Kilkelly rhymer Peter Costello and is contained within a new book by the Culmore native, called Rhyming Through Mayo.
The book is to be launched on May 31 at IWAK and it looks sure to be a hit with Mayo people both at home and abroad as well as a great souvenir for visitors to the county to take home with them.
Rhyming Through Mayo is a beautiful collection of 22 poems, each one focusing on a different well-known site or attraction or one of the county's lesser known gems.
Each poem in this perfect coffee table book is illustrated with stunning photography from around the county.
The poems are lilting, warm, accessible and humorous. They are also quite informative because they give some historical background and interesting facts and figures on each subject, from the Foxford Woollen Mills, founded by Mother Agnes Morragh-Bernard in 1892, to Mayo's All Ireland Minor glory in 2013.
Midwest Radio presenter Tommy Marren is to perform the official launch of the book on May 31 at 8pm at Ireland West Airport Knock.
Keep an eye out in local bookshops for Rhyming Through Mayo, The Gem on the West Coast of Ireland.
