Poem on the end of the pier

KStaford

If you walk out to the very end of the pier, there is a poem out there in brass on a stone stand. Its called something like August-September 1939. I think the author is Niece. Does anyone know what I am on about and where I might get the words? (I have tried searching the web but nothing)

hacktavist

I don't know what you're on about.

pseudonym1

Which peir?

KStaford

if you cross the river at spanish arch, you can walk out along a long pier. Its old with grass on top and a tarmac path.

Its called nimmons pier I think. Have alook at this map. Its the pier on the southside of the harbour.

http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=m&lat=53.266578&lon=-9.047591&zoom=17

If you walk right out to the end, there is a pillar with a poem cast in brass. I think its called August-September 1939. Its this I'm enquiring about

emeraldstar

Hmm, is it something about war and ships and England and it mentions Clare? Think I read it.

Can't offer you any help though, except maybe go out there with a pen and some paper

?Cee?view

The pier is Nimmo's pier, after Alexander Nimmo, an engineer who worked with (or was engaged by) the Congested Districts Board to build various piers, roads etc. in the West during the nineteenth century.

Is the poet Louis MacNeice? Is the poem "Autumn Journal"

http://punkadiddle.blogspot.com/2008/02/macneices-autumn-journal-1939.html

I must go down next weekend and have a look myself.

It's there, alright. It's about World War 2 (I think) and has no reference to either that or Galway really. Only about the sewerage, if I remember correctly.

KStaford

I got it.

Its called 'Galway' on the memorial and is part of a series.
The poet was Louis MacNeice as soemone said above. This poem was written on hearing the news of the German advance into Poland while MacNeice was on holiday in the west. Its pretty striking

O the crossbones of Galway
The hollow grey houses,
The rubbish and sewage,
The grass-grown pier,
And the dredger grumbling
All night in the harbour:
The war came down on us here.

Salmon in the Corrib
Gently swaying
And the water combed out
Over the weir
And a hundred swans
Dreaming on the harbour:
The war came down on us here.

The night was gay
with the moon's music
But Mars was angry
On the hills of Clare
And September dawned
Upon Willows and ruins
The war came down upon us here

gary82

A bit late getting back to this and I see you've found it since!

Still, these may be of interest....