This poem was wtitten about the Glens of Antrim 21 years ago.
My youngest girl, Emma asked me to not take her to school and just go for a drive.
Being silly I took her to school and all the way to work regretted my decision.
To make it up to her I wrote this poem for her
EMMA'S DAY OUT
Sun's out. Let's go for a drive.
Pass down by Lough side,
Heading out of town Whitehead looms large
Then the road drops down towards a sparkling sea
Where Lighthouse Island distantly hides behind Donaghadee.
Portmuck passes unseen. Gobbins stony and wild.
What a nice day to go for a drive.
Drive into Port of Larne
Ships nestling against the quay
They wait to ferry people out onto the placid sunny sea.
Drains Bay, the start of the magnificent glens.
Wonderful scenery unfolds around each glorious bay
Limestone cliffs stretch dangerous arms
Funny auld signs predicting rockfalls cause merriment,
What a lovely day to go for a drive.
Ballygally Castle, picnic tables and swings
Whilst out to sea strange rocks cast a spell.
Are they ships or submarines?
Isn’t it great going for a drive.
Ballygally and its castle we leave behind.
On to Glenarm with its small harbour.
Cruise over the bridge, nine glens there to wander
Drive into Carnlough. Its deep water harbour packed with boats.
Onto Waterfoot, past Carndhu where old man rock for eons has stood,
Battered by storms, kissed gently today by sunny seas.
Drive up to Glenariff and stroll up to Laragh falls and Corrib
Then into Cushendall, have a stop for tea.
Isn’t it nice to go for a drive.