Inspired by Jean Rice and her fantastic postings, as well as a love of this beautiful Vale, coupled with the fact that my father was killed in the Avoca Copper Mines and is buried there, I attempted my first ever poem. I guess a lot of the references will only make sense to the person that knows the area, it was never intended for publication. I hope that no one minds this posting, not really genealogy but it is a part of my adopted heritage now. Daz Beattie, Yorkshire, England. Towers of Two Saints. The tower of Saint Kevin built beside the two Loughs Is it more precious than some later rocks? Built skyward of industry in a more populous vale The towers of power with a different tale Built for another God of an alternate race Purely to perform at a much greater pace? Saint Kevin's to nurture and protect all mankind Those of Saint Patrick to pump and to wind To rob the riches of the valley's earth Whilst playing a part in creating its dearth Both to remain to the present day As symbols of what? Can one really say? Life and death belong to all of these towers Which of them directed by the cruellest powers? Where was the profit in Kevin's domain? Who did Avoca's metals sustain? Where was the love and true affection? Do the graves of Macadam show a true reflection? These towers all play a part in Wicklow fame The holy one to the memory, the others the same One viewed by many, Ballymurtagh's by few A sharing of feelings may be long overdue All have the beauty of ancient toilings Only Avoca is left with the tailings and spoilings The memory of miners now long since gone Their smiles and goodwill still lingers with some But many forgotten lay beneath the ground Where their living and ending was to be found God bless all the martyrs of Avoca and Crombane Ballymurtagh and Tigrony I wish you the same Daz Beattie 20th Sept 2002