Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join the Leader in her words of support for the people of Creeslough, County Donegal. This afternoon in Seanad Éireann, we joined together to observe a moment of silence for Senators who wanted contemplation, prayer and reflection over those who lost their lives so tragically in Creeslough. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones - their families and friends - as well as the emergency services, both North and South, the community of Creeslough, the people of Donegal more widely and the county's diaspora.

The colours green and gold are synonymous with Donegal in good times and in sad times. They are, after all, the county colours. Thinking of Creeslough in recent days, I have thought of a beautiful landscape of mountains, bogs, forests, lakes, rivers, seas and shores and, above all, of its people. Yesterday, I was reminded of the words of the great American poet, Robert Frost, in his poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay".The poem is about the seasons, which always change, and highlights the march of time that none of us can escape. I will read its short few lines because it resonates for me. It is about the seasons, change and how nothing can ever stay the same.

Nature's first green is gold,

Her hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf's a flower;

But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.

So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.

Nothing gold can stay.