Picture Presentation to CTBere Lifeboat Crew who met HRH Queen Elizabeth by Paul Ironside, Rosslare

All Aboard with QE2

The six of us were over there
Me and the lads from Castletownbere
To train to take her out to sea
The “Annette Hutton”, RNLB

 

 

“One would like to meet the driver”
Said the Queen to him beside her
She was opening the lifeboat school
For PC training there in Poole

 That’s “Pre-Commissioning” to us
“Politically Correct” it also was
For the Irish flag could not be flown
Though feisty Brendan did get showin’

His brass “Céad Míle Fáilte” plaque
A steely border native chap
So smile while sailing on his boat
It’s due to him she’s kept afloat!

 Suddenly the wind abated
She was nearly suffocated
By exhaust fumes on the transom
We could have held her up for ransom

 “Driver” Brian was unperturbed
His youthful motto “Be Prepared”
With a foot in either camp he’s merry
The Sam McGuire went back to Kerry!

 

As we were cruising right along
Said Paddy “How about a song,
About those ruling Monarchs who
Never sailed with an Irish crew

 Or a Wexford chap based in Rosslare
Who bravely came to Castletownbere
Though Munster are about to choke
The Leinster hurlers up in Croke!!”

“Sir” Paul he kept us all in tow
“If you want seats on the Late Late Show
Or something that “fell off” a lorry
Salute the Duke or you’ll be sorry!”

And Grocer Michael was on line
As second “driver” at the time
And if more news you’d like to get
Mary has it on the Net

 At Royal Marine HQ we dropped Her
She took off by helicopter
And buzzed us as She passed us by
“One thanks the Irish RNLI”

 I had a great time with you all
Though you’re from Cork I do recall
“Up Wexford!” cheers when we did part
You must be model men at heart!!!!