The Feasting at Kincora

This poem was first conceived as a spoof about J J Byrne. The first verse was tentatively conceived as:

The feasting at Kincora in the  court of Brian Boru
Was nothing to the  feasting that J J Byrne would do.

J J Byrne was one of the first wave of residents in the sheltered housing at Clareville Court. He was in his eighties when he arrived. He immediately called a meeting of the residents, proposed the setting up of a Residents Association, and had himself elected as Chairman. He then took control of the Day Room, and organised many events.

One of his famous events was a monthly dinner in the Day Room, to which he summoned local politicians, notables and senior clerics. Dinner was cooked and provided by volunteer ladies from the community and served by his committee members. After dinner, there was always a speech by an invited expert. Once a year, he presented Community Awards to those who had made a substantial contribution to community life in Glasnevin.

My idea was to recount the glory of Brian Boru's feasting, and compare it, humorously, to J J's.
However, poems have a way of taking off under their own steam, and Brian Boru took over the whole poem.

Like Brian Boru, J J summoned the country's worthies to his feasting, and distributed awards. No complaints were ever heard about the quality or quantity of the food dispersed, or the quality of the entertainment. He also founded the Glasnevin Lyons Club, which carried out many charitable works.

J J Byrne (second from left, front row) with group from Glasnevin on visit he organised to the Mansion House, with Lord Mayor, Sean D Dublin Bay Christian Democrat Loftus. (Yes, I am in the photo: look for the white hair and white beard).