Poetic Obituaries: The publication of his [James McBryde's] collection,

Off the Beaten Track , was accidental. In early 1998 local historian Paddy Montague was working on a history of Lack, Co Fermanagh. He heard McBryde, whom he remembered from childhood, was still alive and living in Drumragh Care Home in Omagh. Montague visited him, and they spoke about the history of the village. Then, in passing, McBryde mentioned his poetry and produced folders of poems.

Montague realised the poetry had real value. McBryde had spent almost 40 years in the RUC, and all his service was in rural Fermanagh. The poems record the changes in life over those years.

from Irish Times: Prolific poet first published late in life

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