It was with great surprise I unfolded the gift of Limericks I received from Portumna Library recently. Every year I judge various writing competitions and there are always a few gems to be found. This year’s bundle had quite a few- that made my task all the more enjoyable though difficult. Firstly, I want to congratulate every young person who entered. Each one of you recognised and understood the format of a Limerick. I have read collections of Limericks written by adult writers in other Limerick competitions-and some writers just do not get the rhyme and rhythm structure of this seemingly simple form of poetry.

To write 5 lines of poetry with the longer lines 1, 2 and 5 rhyming with each other is not easy-then introducing another two, short rhyming lines as lines 3 and 4 is a little more challenging. But the real feat is to have the 5 lines give us a story- a snap shot- often humorous or silly. The master of Limericks, Edward Lear, produced his book of Nonsense Verse. So it is a light hearted form of poetry suited to light themes.

All of the Limericks I read had the correct format. Sometimes, the rhythm of the lines was not quite correct and with a little more attention, a word taken out or a line rearranged, the Limerick may have worked better. An important part of writing a poem is to read it aloud. Listen to the sounds of the words. Listen to the rhythm and beat of the lines. If you are happy with them, then examine the use of words- in particular words chosen for a rhyme- just because it fits for the rhyme does not mean that it fits into the poem-the sense of the poem or the meaning of the line. Ask yourself if another word might fit better.

The selection I have chosen as  award winners contain all the right ingredients. The rhymes worked well; the rhythm of the lines were musical and the originality in each individual Limerick stood out. At first, I readily narrowed my selection down to 20 shortlisted Limericks. The next selection came to 13. From this I ended up with 8 Limericks. The hardest part was to choose. I enjoyed reading all of them so much and I smiled and laughed and I’d like to thank you for bringing a few rays of sunshine of humour into the dark winter.

“There once was a girl from Clare

Who did an unusual dare

She fell off a cliff

And became very stiff

And now she’s in intensive care”

This was handwritten, and the page was decorated by a GAA fan, no doubt- blue and yellow stripes adorned the page. This added to the novel and original thought that wove through the Limerick and its lovely, quirky ending was so surprising. Well done to Brian Muldoon of St Brendan’s NS 6^th class.

“There once was a girl called Monica

Her best friend’s name was Veronica

She plays a guitar,

Longs to drive a fast car

But her mother says time enough Monica”

This lovely choice of rhyming end words is actually written by a Monica! We get a very instant image of this music loving, friendly and aspirant girl racer called Monica who has a wise and knowing mother. To Monica Daly of Raheen School’s 6^th class, congratulations on a well written Limerick.

A soccer sport star Darren Bent

From Tottenham to Sutherland he went

Eight goals this season

Is certainly pleasin’

Steve Bruce’s star player –heaven sent!

To bring a news event into this structure of a Limerick is very clever and well achieved here by Michael O’Meara of Raheen School. The last two words say it all and fit in perfectly. Well done, Michael.

There once was a man called Pat

And he was extremely fat

He went on a diet

But it started a riot

Til the guards ran over him-splat!!!

Besides the lovely flow and rhythm of this Limerick, the surprise of the last line and in particular, the last word puts Shane McDonagh, St.Feichin’s NS Abbey onto the list of awards.

“There was a young man with no belly

Who longed for a big bowl of jelly

He ate it quick

With a big glass of milk

And now all he does is watch telly”

This description of gluttony and overeating is told in a bemused way by Taylor Mc Crory of St. Brendan’s NS. Again, a hidden serious message underlies this Limerick and gives the writer a worthy mention.

• • “I once had a little brown dog

Who loved to go to the bog

He jumped on the turf

And pretended to surf

Until he broke his leg on the log”

This lovely amusing scene of the dog surfing at the bog is told with lovely well chosen rhymes. A Maple Poetry award to Thea Doherty of St. Brendan’s NS for charming work on this light Limerick.

“There once was a dog called Ben

Who loved to sleep in his den

But the den became smelly

From Daddy’s big welly

Now he won’t sleep there again.”

Lynda Burns of 6^th class in Raheen NS also receives a Maple Poetry award for another doggie  Limerick. We can clearly smell the awful welly and we wonder where poor Ben will get to sleep. Simply constructed with a lovely wry humour.

“There once was a student called Jude

Who ate all the wrong kinds of food

To be kind to his heart

Fruit and veg he did start

And now he’s a healthy food dude!”

Mairead O’Meara,5^th class, Raheen NS,  also receives a Maple Poetry award for this Limerick with its hidden lesson on healthy eating – combining the lovely rhymes and novel name of Jude, Mairead implies that healthy eating is cool. Well done!

I also enjoyed Paula Lyons of St Feichin’s NS, Abbey who describes Claire’s hair before and after she ate the mice.

Rachel Glynn of Redwood NS writes of the young lad from Gorey and one from Kentucky and both were well written.

Shauna Duane of Raheen NS chose a Limerick about a girl called Camille and her last line was just delightful.

Shane Rooney of St. Brendan’s NS introduces a band called “The Ferry” featuring two sisters Kerry and Sherry.

Kate Burns of St. Brendan’s NS wrote another humorous end line with her mother – ‘all she cared about was herself!”

Unfortunately, not all can obtain an award. But with the talent and ideas ALL of you have, the art of Limerick writing in the generations to come is safe and well.  A big well done to you all-to your teachers also who guided you well. And congrats to Portumna Library for the opportunity they provide every year for Book Week events.

Noelle Lynskey

Maple Poetry Group

Portumna