The Cliffs of Dooneen

I have traveled afar from my own native home.
Away o'er the billows, away o'er the foam
I have seen many sights but no equal I've seen
To the old rocky slopes by the cliffs of Dooneen

I have seen many sights of Columbus fair land,
Africa and Asia so delightful and grand,
But dig me a grave were the grass it grows green
On the old rocky slopes by the cliffs of Dooneen.

How pleasant to walk on a fine summers day.
And to view the sweet cherries that will never decay,
Where the sea grass and seaweed and the old carrageen
All grow from the rocks by the cliffs of Dooneen.

The Sand hills of Beal are glorious and grand,
And the old castle ruins looking out on the strand,
Where the hares and the rabbits are there to be seen
Making holes for their homes by the cliffs of Dooneen.

I have tracked my love's footsteps to the boathouse of old
And the dance on the hillside where love stories are told,
Its there you will see both the lad and the colleen
Moving round by the shore of the cliffs of Dooneen

Take a view across the Shannon some sites you will see there
High rocky mountains on the south coast of Clare
The towns of Kilrush and Kilkee ever green
But theres none to compare with the cliffs of Dooneen

Farewell Dooneen, Farewell for a while,
And to those kind-Hearted neighbours that I left in the isle,
May my soul never rest till it's laid on the green
Near the old rocky slopes by the Cliffs of Dooneen


Jack McAuliffe
check out Dooneen.com for photo of Kilkee from North Kerry