By Declan O’Brien
Nephew of Sr. Marie Bernarde Clancy
Ballycashen summers…the 1960s…we arrived there by the dozens
The quiet townland invaded…by a host of Clancy cousins
And then that special summer…excitement was in the air
Our Aunt Ena was returning…to her home place in Co. Clare
The cousins had never met her…so excitement was infectious
This was the mysterious aunt…who lived some place called Texas
We were of course aware…that she actually existed
Hadn’t we recorded messages on the “reel-to-reel” …each and every Christmas
Or there might be a long distance phone call…where we all stood in line
To say “Hello Auntie Ena”…and hand back the phone…because we were on limited time!
So, that summer in Ballycashen…the excitement you can’t imagine
We were all going to the airport…to see the aeroplane land in Shannon
Why, just going to the airport…was a treat for us Clancy tots
And the excitement was only added to…as the plane came to a stop
As the passengers disembarked…on our tip toes we were standing
To catch a glimpse of Ena…it was our very own moon landing
And there she was, in her habit of blue…waving to her gathered flock
It was the most dramatic arrival by a woman in blue.
since Our Lady appeared in Knock
And when we got to meet her…we were all bemused because
Even though she’d never seen us…she knew who each cousin was
It was a gift that she and Mary shared…at each and every level
They had a way of making…each one of us feel special
Over the years her visits…thankfully became more frequent
And we’d like to think we continued…to give her pop star treatment
And naturally each visit home…would have to come to an end
And we would look forward to the next time…you’d be returning home again
And now as the moment of final parting…sadly now arrives
We are thankful that Ena was woven…into the fabric of our lives.