The County of Carlow
Author: John Candy
Theme: Pride in place
Location: County Carlow
A ramble through some of the notable places in County Carlow
Fogarty's Threshing
Author: Jim Nolan
Performed by Danny Browne
Theme: Local event and characters
Jamsie Byrne is home from America, he came home the other day,
We talked about all the things that happened in the parish since he went away.
We talked about all the auld lads and the things that they said and done,
He said he was sorry to come back home and find they were nearly all dead and gone.
We looked across at an old broken-down house, you know says he the last time I handled a fork
Was over there at Fogarty’s threshing, the day before I went to New York.
I remember it was a cold frosty morning and we were threshing a big rick of oats
But we were well prepared for the weather with our L.D.F. boots and topcoats.
I remember old Fogarty coming out to the haggard and he started to lay down the law,
He put three of us minding the sacks at the mill and three more for to make up the straw.
He told two young lads to open the sheaves and myself and Jack Murphy to pitch,
And he says ‘when ye take the top off the rick will ye make it up in a neat little heap in the ditch’.
The driver got up in the engine, and the fly wheel it started to spin,
Then he gave the whistle a blow that work was about to begin.
Then he gave this lever a pull and the mill it started to hum,
And the dust, it went up in the heavens when they opened the lid of the drum.
About half past eleven Jack Murphy dropped down on one knee and he says with a nod and a wink
‘Ye may take it easy now lads the barmaid is here with the drink’.
Sure enough, Mrs. Fogarty had arrived with the porter, it was covered with thick creamy froth,
And judging by the look of the bucked she had not lost any time with the cloth.
She buried her hands down in the porter as she filled each one of the tins,
She says ‘I never got time to give them a rub after mixing the food for the hens’.
At dinner time a lot of the lads went home, you see the place had not got a very good name,
And if we’d known what we were going to get, I think we would have all done the same.
Mrs Fogarty says ‘ye’s all must be starving, sit in and eat all ye’s are able’,
And to tell the truth of the woman that day there was lashings of grub on the table.
Somebody said that the meat tasted quare, of that there wasn’t a doubt,
Jack Murphy said ‘wherever she got it, I’ll try and find out’’.
Mr.s Fogarty asked us did we want any more, Jack said ‘I do’ and he held out his plate,
‘And I tell you, Where ever you got it that’s the finest of mate’.
Well, Mrs. Fogarty’s face lit up with delight and she made a neat little bow,
She says ‘you’d hardly believe it but that was the hind leg of the sow.
She died after having the boneens, the poor unfortunate baste,
We thought it nothing short of a sin to see such a fine lot of mate going to waste’’.
Jack clapped his hand over his mouth and said ‘I don’t want anymore’,
And he made an almighty burst for the door.
After dinner when the lads came back they asked us what we had to eat,
And when we told them they said it was a pity to have missed such a treat.
About four o’clock this young chap went over to Jack, of course, he’d been told what to say,
He says ‘Mrs. Fogarty is boiling the boneens, ye’s can have one apiece for your tea’.
Jack’s face turned purple with rage, of course, we all took to laugh,
Well, he gripped the young lad by the scruff of the neck and buried him down in the chaff.
O’, ‘tis forty years since that day, there has been many changers since then,
Although I enjoyed all my years in New York, I am glad to be back home again.
Location: Carlow south
The great storyteller gives a fun recitation about an event from the county, giving a view of traditional work on the farm, as well as some of the mischief!
From Carlow Streams
The Bogs of Rathnagry
Author: W. Byrne
Theme: Local Event
Retrospective song about the burning of the bogs of Rathnagry by the men of Carlow.
From Carlow Streams.
Far Away in Old Bunclody
Song about Bunclody as sung by Les Carty
Theme: Pride in Place
From Carlow Streams
Charming County Carlow
Author: P.J. Furey
Theme: Pride in place
A newspaper clipping featuring a song about County Carlow by one P.J. Furey, in which he takes a tour around the county
From Carlow Streams
Ár gCultúr Beo / Our Living Culture
Air: Oro Se do Bheatha Abhaile
Author: D. Barron
Singers: Carlow Storytellers
Theme: Pride in our native culture
Location: County Carlow
CHORUS
Óro, Ár gcultúr gleoite, (our beautiful culture)
Óro, our culture’s growing,
Óro, ár gcultúr beomhar, (our living culture)
Alive and beo in Carlow. (well)
They tried to take our culture from us,
Tried to force their culture on us;
But our fathers placed a geasa on us: (obligation)
To save our ancient ways.
CHORUS
They told us that we had to change,
To leave our past on a previous page;
But we’ll save our ways for the coming age:
We’ll save our ancient ways.
CHORUS
The rambling house was the place to meet
But in recent years its fate looked bleak;
Some kept our old Way’s heart abeat
And saved our ancient ways.
CHORUS
They thought we’d fade with modern fashions
We love our culture with great passion;
We’ll always care for our great tradition
And we’ll save our ancient ways.
CHORUS
________________________
The Celtic Irish oral tradition of music and song has faced many challenges to its survival, from Penal Laws to changing trends and fashions. At one time mocked and derided, it was always kept alive in the rambling houses and by people who loved their traditions. Now, the ancient culture is growing strong again, not only holding its own but growing in popularity.
The song Óro, Sé Do Bheatha ‘Bhaile was about restoration of freedom and culture; it seems appropriate to match these words with the old melody.
D. Barron
From Carlow Streams
Poem From the Hills
Author: J.J. Townsend
Theme: pride in Place, Fun
Location: Carlow west
A fun poem about a quality ass from Seskinrae.
Dance at Marley
Author: P.J. McCall
Theme: Social event
Location: Carlow east
A record of an important local event and a view of a way of life
Hunter's Dream
Author: L. Morrissey
Theme: Hunting
Location: Carlow south
A description of a day's hunting that yielded little enough game.
Poem for the lonely
Author: P.J. Furey
Theme: Pride in place, emigration, love
Location: Carlow county
The poet adopts the persona of a Galwayman in exile, reflecting on his native place and, especially, his mother who waits in vain for his return home.