1. What have you learned so far in this course that you did not already know about Ireland?Please discuss 3facts.
2. Was there anything that surprised you in terms of historical events based on the assigned readings?
3. Are any of the songs we have looked at similar to or remind you of ballads from your ancestors' native country? If so, please explain why. If not, please explain the differences.
Microsoft Word - Boolavogue Notes.docx 1 Boolavogue "Boolavogue" is an Irish ballad commemorating the campaign of Father John Murphy and his army in County Wexford during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. It was composed by Patrick Joseph McCall in 1898, the centenary of the Rebellion. This song is about the priest who had led the group of peasants, or rebels as they were called, against the English in Wexford at the battle in 1798. The peasants were beaten by the British. The priest was taken and his body was broken at the rack. The ballad is about Fr. Michael Murphy, a young priest, who saw the suffering of the people and tried to help them – almost like an Irish version of Joan of Arc. He came from a place called Boolavogue, which is a town in County Wexford, Ireland. The song is also known as ‘Father Murphy’. The ballad covers the victories of Father John Murphy of the village of Boolavogue in County Wexford as he led his parishioners in routing the Camolin Cavalry on 26 May 1798, to defeat the British at Oulart Hill, as well as at Enniscorthy. The Wexford insurgents fought bravely against professional troops, and were eventually defeated at the Battle of Vinegar Hill on 21 June. Father Murphy and the other leaders were hanged. Father Murphy was a priest who at first tried to persuade people not to take part in the rebellion. He changed his opinion and became a reluctant rebel leader after soldiers burned down the homes of his parishioners whom they suspected of rebellion. The Lieutenant Thomas Bookey whose 'regiment' is mentioned in the song was the leader of the Yeoman Cavalry in the Boolavogue area. McCall, who also composed the popular ballads "Kelly the Boy from Killanne" and "Follow Me up to Carlow", wrote "Boolavogue" to the old air "Eochaill" (in English, "Youghal Harbour"). The tune had previously been borrowed for the Irish/Australian traditional song "Moreton Bay" (1830), about an Irish convict's brutal treatment in Australia, and would later be used by Seán Ó Riada as part of the film score for Mise Éire (1959). The song was inspired by songs contemporary to the events of 1798 such as "Come All You Warriors". Liam Gaul (2011) states that "Boolavogue" is the song most closely associated with PJ McCall, and has become an anthem for Wexford. Gaul notes that "Boolavogue" was not published in any of McCall’s literary works, and was first printed in the Irish Independent on 18 June 1898 under the title Fr Murphy of the County Wexford. This title was still being used when it appeared in the 1922 edition of Padraig Breathnach’s Songs of the Gael. It was only later that the song became widely known as "Boolavogue". McCall was from Dublin, but often visited Wexford, and was familiar with its history and geography. "Boolavogue" contains references to people and places that played a major part in the 1798 Rising. References: Glory O! Glory O! The Life of PJ McCall by Liam Gaul, The History Press Ireland, 2011 2 Please listen to the ballad performed by the RTÉ (Raidió Teilifís Éireann - the Irish National Television and Radio Broadcaster) concert orchestra on Spotify. The following is the link to the song on spotify: https://open.spotify.com/search/results/boolavogue%20Se%C3%A1n%20%C3%93%20Riada Please also listen to these versions: 1. https://www.joeheaney.org/en/boolavogue/ 2. https://open.spotify.com/search/results/boolavogue%20the%20clancy 3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnJp5Aw65fE 3 Boolavogue Lyrics At Boolavogue as the sun was setting O'er the bright May meadows of Shelmalier, A rebel hand set the heather blazing And brought the neighbours from far and near. Then Father Murphy from old Kilcormack Spurred up the rocks with a warning cry: 'Arm! Arm!' he cried, 'For I've come to lead you; For Ireland's freedom we'll fight or die!' He led us on against the coming soldiers, And the cowardly yeomen we put to flight: 'Twas at the Harrow the boys of Wexford Showed Bookey's regiment how men could fight. Look out for hirelings, King George of England; Search every kingdom where breathes a slave, For Father Murphy of County Wexford Sweeps o'er the land like a mighty wave. We took Camolin and Enniscorthy And Wexford storming drove out our foes 'Twas at Slieve Coilte our pikes were reeking With the crimson blood of the beaten Yeos. At Tubberneering and Ballyellis Full many a Hessian lay in his gore, Ah! Father Murphy had aid come over The green flag floated from shore to shore! At Vinegar Hill, o'er the pleasant Slaney Our heroes vainly stood back to back, and the Yeos at Tullow took Father Murphy and burned his body upon a rack. 4 God grant you glory, brave Father Murphy And open Heaven to all your men, The cause that called you may call tomorrow In another fight for the Green again. Songs Of Irish Rebellion, Zimmerman, G. D. (2002) Grace O'Malley: The Queen of the West Grace O'Malley: The Queen of the West Author(s): Conor Maguire Source: Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review, Vol. 32, No. 126 (Jun., 1943), pp. 225-230 Published by: Irish Province of the Society of Jesus Stable URL: https://www.jstor.org/stable/30100558 Accessed: 10-02-2019 02:31 UTC JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. 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[email protected]. Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at https://about.jstor.org/terms Irish Province of the Society of Jesus is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review This content downloaded from 104.196.9.213 on Sun, 10 Feb 2019 02:31:23 UTC All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms GRACE O'MALLEY : THE QUEEN OF THE WEST BY CONOR dSAGUIRSr M.D. GRACE o'MALLEY (Irish name Srsi n n e li i t A,tte was a most remarkable and famous woman who lived in the reign of Elizabeth of England. She has been com600ly called Grainuail.e--a corrupt amalgam of her Christian name and surname. It is not easy to understand why Grainne was translated Grace ; I suppose it was the nearest English equivalent they could get. GrAinne means ugly ; but the same word means a grain, a small quantity-as one might say a grain of tea or sugar. The proper Irish for Grace would be Gras ; so it is rather a puzzle to find an explanation of the translation of Grainne into Grace. Grainuaile was a daughter of Dubhdhara 0 Mille, who was the Lord of upper Umhah Ui Mhailie in the region of Murrisk in the county of Mayo. There is no record of the date of her birth; but from what Sir Richard Bingham wrote of her in 1593, "the the nurse of all the rebellions in Connact for the past qo years," we may guess that she was born about 1530. It is probable that she spent her childhood and early years on Clare Island, and that it was there she , learned all about ships and the sea. The local tradition is that she was born in the 600astery on Clare Island. Grainne had a brother who was heir to his father's lands, but she ousted him and made herself owner and master over her father's territory. The O'Malley territory embraced Clare Island and Achill. The tradition is that she was a very beautiful woman 2 The dark lady of Doona." At any rate, she had a very commanding presence, and her exploits show that she was a capable sea-captain and a ruler of men. It is said that she died in 1603 in the same year as Queen Elizabeth. There is a doubt as to where she was buried. Some say Clare Island, others Doonagh or Burrishoole, which latter retains the old name of the O'Malley territory. I refer my readers to a learned paper by T. J. Westropp, published in the Proceedings of R.I.A. (Vol. 31, section r on the history and archaeology of Clare Island. In the old abbey on the island there is an inscription on the wall " O'Maille " and, above the name, "Terra marique potens." The O'Malleys were warlike and fond of the sea (See poem on them by O'Dugan, who died in 1372). Grainne built a castle on Clare Island which is still standing on a rock. It is of low square outline, with bartizans projecting from two corners. It was used as a coast-guard station in the early part of the last century. She also had a castle on the island of Achill, near the shore of This content downloaded from 104.196.9.213 on Sun, 10 Feb 2019 02:31:23 UTC All use subject to https://about.jstor.org/terms 2?6 Studies [Jun the sound which separates the island from the mainland, called Ki1I. downet, There is a burial ground bearing the same name close to the castle. This castle is in good preservation. Tubber na feile Brigide on Clare Island is associated with Grainne in this way. When she was a girl she rescued a young man from a ship wreck, and he fell deeply in love with his preserver. They were married at the altar near the well and, lived very happily for some years. Then a feud arose between the MacMahons of Ballycroy and the O'Malleys. The MacMahons surprised the O'Mall.eys at a deer hunt in Achill, and Grainne's husband fell in an ambuscade. The young widow made a solemn vow of vengeance and bided her time. Hearing from an Erris