Browse Items (239 total)

Location: Borris area.
MCN was from the Borris area. The poem is a simple prayer of trust in God.

Irish Liberty
Ye friends of Irish Liberty and sons of Granuaile
Be not afraid of England’s bull, his horns, his head or tail;
He’s but a shadow on the grass reflected from a tree,
So break the branches bare, brave boys, and plant the…

Location: South Carlow, Myshall area
The men were slain during the Irish civil War in 1922, at Shean, near Myshall. It seems fitting to have both poems side by side.

The roll is called, Big Jim is gone, his voice we’ll hear no more,
But his name is etched forever on the pages of folklore.
For those who knew this gentle giant, he was an easy friend to love
And on Good Friday evening Jim was called to Heaven…

Location: South Carlow, especially the Mount Leinster area.
Eddie wrote this as a mark of respect for his good friend Jim Nolan, the well-known storyteller from Ballinrush, Myshall.

Location: South, Barrow valley
While people in Newfoundland claim ownership of this song, it is more likely that it was brought to Newfoundland by emigrants from the south Carlow area.

Theme: Patriotism, hero, One of a number of songs and poems in honour of Kevin Barry. This version was written by L. McGowan while interned in 1921

Location: All county, especially north-east and Borris area.
MCN reflects admiration for a hero-martyr as well as anger at the treatment meted out to Kevin Barry just before his execution. Being from the south of the county, this shows the…

Location: All county, especially north-east
This is probably the best known song about Kevin Barry. It captures the concept of faith and fatherland, as well as disgust at the treatment he received shortly before his execution.