THE ONLY copy of a new collection of work by Limerick poet Desmond O’Grady that was lost at a horse fair has been returned.
The manuscript went missing at Spancil Hill Horse Fair seven weeks ago when O’Grady’s friend and editor put it on the ground while he rode a horse.
Poet and horseman Barney Sheahan was making corrections to the new poetry collection and took it along to the famous Clare horse fair with him.
“I was interested in buying a horse and had to ride him to get a feel for him,” explained Mr Sheahan. “I put the manuscript on the ground, but when I got back it was gone. I thought that somebody must have picked it up, saw there was no money in it and threw it over a hedge.”
Limerick man Mr Sheahan (75) reported the disappearance to gardaí in Quin, Co Clare, and a reward of several hundred euro was offered for the manuscript’s return. Finally, almost two months later, the manuscript was sent on to O’Grady by a Carlow fair goer.
The poet was thrilled. “I am hugely delighted and grateful to the person who found this and took the trouble to send it on to me,” he said. “I don’t know how they knew of me, but I am thoroughly glad.”
Mr Sheahan was rejoicing too. “I am hugely relieved, I don’t know how it happened,” he said. “I ended up buying the horse I was trying out and I’m just delighted the manuscript was returned.” Mr Sheahan said the Good Samaritan who sent on the book had no interest in claiming the reward.
My Limerick Town, due now to be published on the author’s birthday, August 27th, is O’Grady’s 26th poetry collection. A former Harvard professor and a member of Aosdána, he now lives in Kinsale, Co Cork.