Ramelton Flax Market

The following is an extract from a much longer poem about the rivalry between the flax markets of Letterkenny and Ramelton. Although obviously penned by a local composer, neither author nor date can be attributed.

"Come all you honest farmers, I won't detain you long,
And give an ear to what I say, and be it right or wrong,
Concerning the flax market of brave Ramelton town
A place of truth and honesty, of fame and high renown.

On the first day of November it was established there,
And it has been conducted since with order and due care.
A committee, as you may see, composed of members ten
To regulate this market by those right-hearted men.

Each market day, without delay, the crane they do attend
To see that justice is observed and for to superintend.
Besides, our brave town magistrate does often cast his eye
Out of his office window the market o'er to spy

To see it be conducted well, close by his office door,
Where equal justice he does give alike to rich and poor.
Come, Letterkenny, answer this: did Ramelton interfere
When you got your weekly market or yet your stated Fair?"

The full edition of this poem can be read in "Linen on the Green: an account of Ramelton's Linen Industry" compiled by Ramelton Community Heritage Project 1987