Paddy Daly of Dungarvin

Once in the United States, Nellie Farrell worked and saved money

to send home to her family and to return to Ireland to visit

a few times.  On one of those trips she met a young man,

Paddy Daly of Dungarvin, County Waterford, Ireland

who was also returning to visit his parents.

This story is dedicated to the loving memory of

Patrick Eugene Daly,

known to his friends and family as

Paddy Daly of Dungarvin

and to his grandchildren

as

"MOREDADDY"

 

"PADDY DALY OF DUNGARVIN"

 

Paddy Daly of Dungarvin left his home in Waterford

He kissed his Da and Mother 'tho the keening tears were poured.

Paddy Daly of Dungarvin sailed off to America

to work upon the railroad trains of Pennsylvania.

 

Dungarvin to Altoona an entire world away

He left midst tears and keening saying he'd return one day.

He'd work the rail road trains, he said, and earn his daily pay,

then back to Ireland he would come on one fine happy day!

 

Dungarvin to Altoona three thousand miles apart

Paddy Daly left his family but he brought them in his heart

Well, he worked upon the railroad trains with many another man,

then sailed back home to Waterford; to visit was his plan.

 

Now on the ship young Paddy set his eyes on a colleen.

He knew young Nellie Farrell was the finest he had seen!

They visited their families,  spending time in Ireland,

in Waterford and Longford, returning, as they'd planned.

 

But Paddy kept his Nellie in his mind and in his heart.

In Ireland and America they lived so far apart.

She in New York City while Paddy worked the rail,

they visited and wrote, each one, so their love would not fail.

 

Then Nellie Farrell took his name becoming Paddy's wife

and moved to Pennsylvania to begin their married life.

But Paddy never lost his dream of going home one day

to Waterford, to Ireland.  Oh, every night he'd pray!

 

So when they lost their first born child he mourned so deep and long

that he and Nellie packed their bags to go where they'd belong.

They lived a year in Waterford beginning life anew

and stayed 'til Nellie was with child.  She knew what they must do.

 

She didn't want to raise a child in Ireland in their day.

Poverty and England ruled and she refused to stay.

She knew that Paddy loved his home, so was it really fair?

The year was 1913 and war was in the air.

 

Paddy love to read and write and speak his Gaelic tongue

and men like Paddy knew too well that England's day was done.

So, Pat and Nellie said goodbye to family once again

and returned to America across the wide ocean.

 

Paddy Daly and his Nellie and the children that she bore

(two pretty girls, two handsome boys).  Oh, how they loved all four!

On the streets of New York City as he worked the trolly cars,

providing for his family,  he dreamed of "plough and stars."

 

He kept in touch with Ireland through his sister and his brother.

Then a letter came that broke his heart, the death of his dear mother.

The years flew by so quickly;  Pat and Nellie both grew old.

Their sons - a cop and fireman, in New York Irish mold!

 

Their children all were married, with grandchildren they were blest

 and when God called Paddy home again they laid him down to rest.

His body in America, his heart stayed with his clan

but those who loved him all knew that  -  his soul went to Ireland!

 

 

 

Copyright 1995 Cáit Finnegan