Like her mother Kay, Rita was a great woman for the recitations. And she would write poems to mark many occasions. She did this in Sundrive, in Toastmasters and, on a number of occasions, with the family.
This is a good example, recently discovered by Kevin. It was written on the occasion of his retirement from Ryanair.
Ode to Kevin Brady on his retirement
By Rita Brady
The climate’s gone haywire!
The economy’s dire!
And worse still – Kevin Brady
Is about to retire
Yes! He’s chucking the day job
No more planes will he fix.
And poor Ryanair’s in a quandary,
Sure, he’s knocked them for six.
‘Cos they thought he was younger
But cute as a fox
He never told them
He was on the Botox!
He was there at the outset
When a family cally ‘Ryan’
Decided ‘twas time
For a rival airline.
While the haughty Aer Lingus
On their high seat of power
Enquired from each other –
“Who the hell are that shower?”
That quartet of ‘Wallys’
Out on the tarmac,
Going to start a new airline?
Well, we’re in for some craic!
We’re not in the least worried,
Though we don’t like to brag,
But we’ve nothing to fear
From this airline in drag.
What’s got into Aer Rianta?
The answer we’ll seek
To take on an outfit
That won’t last a wet week.
But Ryanair toiled and they slaved
And at times it was eerie!
Till god send down the messenger:
Michael O’Leary.
A modern day Midas
Who’d wipe out the bils
And develop an airline
With the slogan ‘No frills!”
He’d challenge Aer Lingus
To bring down the fares
And keep people happy
Who’d invested in shares.
He’d rattle the public
Ignore their command
With, “What part of no refund
Do you not understand?”
And when he got angry
He might even swear.
“F*** off, Kevin Brady,
Keep those planes in the air!”
“I want no explanations,
Just do as I say.
We’re going to lose money
If there’s any delay.”
Well, the rest of the story
The public all know:
The Cinderella outfit
Now runs the whole show.
And we’re ever so proud
Of the part that you played
‘Twas never your fault
That those planes were delayed.
So enjoy your retirement
Both you and your wife,
You’re wise to remember
That there’s more to this life.
It happens just once
With no hope of reversal.
There’s only the now
And it’s not a rehearsal.
You’ve come a long way
And you’re well to the fore
Since those long training days
Out in the Air Corps.
And remember poor Mammy
And her little huff!
When she waited all night
For that turkey to stuff!
But, of course, she forgave you
For that little gaff.
You were born with the talent
To make people laugh.
So good luck to you Kevin.
Take care and have fun!
And remember you started
With TZD 91!
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