Christchurch or Drumraney inspires local man's poem

Christchurch or Drumraney? That's the intriguing title of a reflection sent in to the Westmeath Independent by Joe Mackey, who is currently on a long holiday in New Zealand to visit his son and family.

Kilkenny native Joe, who is the current PRO of Drumraney Camogie Club, travelled down under to see his son, Colum, who is living and working in Christchurch with his wife, Jenny, and beautiful daughter Orla.

The retired principal, who lives very appropriately given his birthplace, in Kilkenny West, Glasson, brought the gospel of hurling with him to the South Island of New Zealand making a handmade camán for his young grandaughter.

It was a very suitable gift given his son Colum Mackey previously played hurling with Castletown Geoghegan, winning a minor county championship and a runners up medal in the senior championship. Later, he played with Fr Dalton's winning an intermediate championship.

Colum is a physiotherapist currently working in a head injury, concussion and migraine practice in Christchurch.

His wife Jenny, who grew up in New Zealand after her parents emigrated there from Taiwan when she was a baby, works as an administrator in a private surgery practice.

While on holidays, Joe Mackey, a former principal of Mercy Secondary School, Ballymahon, even got to reunite with his neighbours on the Old Road, Kilkenny West, Ronan and Geraldine McGrane, who are also in New Zealand visiting family.

Here is his poem:

Christchurch or Drumraney?

Mo-Mo dumplings from Kathmandu,

Mexican Tacos with Saucy Sue;

Cappuccino – chocolate spray

Or cinnamon say – here or takeaway?

Scents and sounds of the down-under

Long white cloud land in Summer.

From earthquake demolitions

New steel frame buildings, reflections

From plate glass nurtures inhibitions,

Shorts and brown legs, my milk bottles.

Bye-bye wet and windy Drumraney

Muck around studded boots squelchy

Yet the grass is still green in Ireland

Scrawny wizened in South New Zealand.

- Joseph Mackey