In Exile

This London sky is dull and grey;
A storm of sleet and rain
Is beating dismally to-day
Upon my window pane.
On wings of fancy let me stray
To summer shores again.

Once more the fresh Atlantic breeze
Its friendly greeting cries;
Afar across the azure seas
The cliffs of Achill rise
And cloudlands countless pageantries
Sweep thro’ the sunlit skies.

The distance fills with misty hills,
Alternate gleam and gloom;
I see again the purple plain
Bestarred with golden broom,

So when along the Achill Sound
The Summer sunset gleams,
And when the heather bells are found,
Beside the mountain streams,
I’ll seek thy shore and live once more,
Oh island of my dreams!

Prose, Poems & Parodies of Percy French, 1980, Helicon Limited, Dublin.

Tickets

Early Booking Special Offer

Each whole day €50. Students €10

  • Three / Four Lectures
  • Afternoon Recital
  • Tea / Coffee / Homemade Cakes

Tickets to the talks taking place in the theatre room in Castlecoote House must be booked in advance, seating is strictly limited per event and we expect these to be fully booked well in advance so please book early to avoid disappointment

Ticket Office:

  • +353 (0)90 666 3794

Don’t miss out, Festival tickets sell out quickly!

We are very sorry to say that we can’t do refunds as they play havoc with the ticketing system. If you can’t make it, we’d rather you gave your tickets to a friend who can.

The 15th Percy French Festival

French Awakenings

19th, 20th, 21st July 2023

At Castlecoote House

Honorary President of the Festival, the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins.

Informed Social & Cultural Discussion of Ireland Today.

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The Percy French Festival 2023 acknowledges the major support of Excel Industries, Dublin; Whyte’s; CastleAcre; C&F Quadrant Ltd; Davies Group; Hidden Ireland.

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