A Medieval Evening
An Ode to Revelry
‘Twas between Beltane and Samain,
O’Carroll of the Hutt summoned hence his people
To foregather at Castle Hutt.
The order of the night was to celebrate these times;
To join, carefree, in feasting, drinking, and carousing.
Far and near went out the call:
Come share with us a dinner fit for the King,
Good company, a glass (or more) of cheer;
Dance and music, too, to thrill the ear.
The chosen marked down the date with care;
To be absent would be remiss.
The happy throng assembled early, inside the gate,
For the King’s events were known to last late.
Knights, friars, a jester or two, and ladies fair
From far Dalriada, even a gallowglass
Was observed to quaff from a shallow glass.
All joined, with his Queen, O’Carroll of the Hutt.
No homage asked for; nor taxes remanded,
All gathered willingly as commanded.
These folk were resplendent in gowns of red and blue,
In richest brown, and in mail of every other imaginable hue.
The boards groaned with ample fare and casks with froth,
When issued forth from the smoky ovens.
The bard delighted with tales learned at school
And a bawd with a tale also learned at the stool.
Minstrels sang in dulcet tones of events long ago,
Of maidens fair, and of no fear,
Of glorious days and even finer places.
Young dancers, in gowns to dazzle, strutted and stepped
While the audience the time they kept.
O’Carroll of the Hutt surveyed the scene
From on his kingly throne, to continue he was keen.
The assembled company raised a glass of good cheer:
"May we all gather this time next year?"
Entertainment was provided by Liz Merton, Kevin Ikin,
dancing by girls from the Kildunne Dance School
Catering provided by Dave and Tracey Thompson
The Bard was Jimmy Friel