Through childish eyes, those scenes so wild, the beasts corralled in coop and pen
I beheld with awe, anxious eye and jaw, as cud was chewed and chewed again
The pavement spattered, schoolchildren scattered, as pungent floes the streets coursed down,
Steps nimbly chosen through beasts in thousands, at the seasonal fair in Tipp'rary Town.
By early morning, the herds arriving met streets deserted, shops boarded-up;
Plate glass protected, traffic redirected, as drovers parched sought bite and sup.
The bovine denizens took up their residence; with CJ Kickham surveying the scene.
By eight were Main Street, Churchwell and Bridge Street a-heave with haunches, likewise Fair Green.
They grinned tooth-gapped, as hand was slapped and deal was struck and luck returned,
Then outstretched palm creased notes embalmed, while gawking face with interest burned
Farm hands were hired, the halt retired; their destinies crudely bartered there;
As the farming people, neath St Michael's steeple, amassed largesse at Tipp'rary Fair.
But the Christmas Fair, 'mid twinkling glare, was favourite by far for me;
The lamplit morning, the gloom adorning, shops stacked with toys, a joy to see;
Then streets were purged, last bargains urged, as pub hubbub with song did rise
Then home unsteady, swayed farmer heady; thus marked another year's demise.
The street musician won adulation and pennies too, from welt'ring throng
Wall-of-death cheaters, bould fire eaters, gutsy sword swallowers - feats brave and strong.
Then... the cattle-mart, with graceless art, snatched away the privilege to stop and stare
At those simple wonders, that broke like thunder, o'er a dreamy child at Tipp'rary Fair.
Paddy McEvoy
June 1990
In memory of the Irish Fair Days, which were a feature of town life in Ireland until the Cattle Mart came along, sanitised the buying and selling of cattle, and in the process, swept away a kaleidoscope of sensations, never to return.
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