Taoiseach's letter to Meath girl who wrote 'moving' Covid-19 poem

Louise Walsh

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has described an emotional poem by a 12-year old, which is dedicated to frontline staff during Covid-19 as 'moving'.

The Fine Gael leader also called all the young people 'heroes' and said he has been 'heartened' by letters which he has received from them 'playing their part' since the crisis began

Mr Varadkar made the comments in a letter to Cairah Beckham from Kilberry, Co. Meath after he read her poem thanking healthcare staff for their 'battle on the front lines but without guns or tanks.'

He wrote: "Your mum sent me a copy of your poem 'Heroes at Home.'  I have to say you captured so much of the national mood and spirit,  found it very moving.

Ciarah Beckham.

"I did say not all heroes wear capes and I believe in this battle against this virus there will be many heroes, in our hospitals, in our supermarkets, our Gardai and Defence Forces and I think especially in the wider population, the people of this country who have had many necessary restrictions placed on their lives, some of them who are out of work temporarily, but who know that we are all in this together for the common good.

"I have been heartened by the letters I have received from young people who are playing their part, despite all the changes they have experienced

"I have no doubt but that you are one of the heroes."

Mr Varadkar also encouraged Cairah to keep up the writing and nurture her 'unique' talent.

"Keep up the writing, you have a unique skill and if you have any more thoughts, please send them to me."

Letter from Taooiseach Leo Varadkar to Cairah

Cairah said she decided to write the poem after watching Leo Varadkar's speeches to the nation so she was stunned and thrilled to receive the letter.

The poem by the sixth class student at Wilkinstown NS has also been shared on social media by her favourite author Helena Duggan.

" "I was listening to Leo Varadkar talking about all the work nurses and doctors are doing and what they are facing as this virus spreads," she said.

"I realised that they are leaving the safety of their homes and  risking their lives every day for people they've never met.  

"All we are being asked to do is stay inside.

"I can't believe he took the time to read my poem and reply when he is so busy helping to get us through Covid-19 safely."

Mum Mary Jane said she sent the poem to the generic Oireachtas email but didn't really expect a reply.

"I got a general message to say I would get a reply as soon as possible but I thought that was it, that the poem would've fallen into a black hole so to speak.  We were shocked but so delighted to get this and that Cairah's work was recognised by the Taoiseach.

"Cairah and her three siblings Caelum, Dayna and Amaya were asking me why they couldn't meet up with friends or go outside so I let them watch Leo Varadkar's speech so they could be informed without being scared.

"We have a family friend who is an ICU nurse so Cairah appreciates the work she is doing and her dad Kea works for the HSE and is extremely busy helping to recruit more healthcare workers to fight the pandemic.

"She has a great sense of pride in how the Irish have handled the situation because all her friends are doing as they are told and staying in their family pods.

"The reaction is great for building up Cairah's self-confidence as her ambition is to be an author and up until now, the majority of her work has gone unseen in copy books in a cupboard gathering dust."

Cairah's poem reads:

"They call it a pandemic. The worst since WWII.  A disease, a scam, a virus.  And nobody has a clue

"But when this beast o mighty.  Landed on our shore.  Our little island had no choice. But to go to war

"The ones who are really saving us. Aren't the army in their ranks. They're the nurses and the doctors. So in them we place our thanks

"As we stand in supermarkets. Wondering what to buy.  A nurse stands in a corridor.  Waiting for the next person to die.

"They do battle on the front lines. But without guns or tanks. And we can never give enough. Gratitude or thanks

"They throw themselves in the way, Of Covid-19 deaths. They block and parry and prevent. Hundreds of last breaths.

"At war, a soldier's aim is to kill with a thrust.  But health workers do the opposite.  So in them we place our trust.

"Oh yes, we all think constantly. About the day when peace will be restored.  And we will remember 2020.  The year our little island roared.

"We stand together but apart.  To say with all our heart.  Healthcare workers, You're providing a future for us to live and so we say

"Go raibh mile maith agaibh.'