Donal Hickey: When does spring begin?

By Donal Hickey

THOSE of us of a certain vintage can clearly remember learning by heart a poem by Antaine Ó Raifteirí that runs: ‘Anois teacht an earraigh/beidh an lá ag dul chun síneadh,/ Is tar éis na féil Bríde/ardóidh mé mo sheol.’ (Now with the coming of spring, the day will be lengthening and after St Brigid’s feast I will raise my sail.)