Jim Nolan
Author: John Candy
Performed by John Candy
John wrote this eulogy about a great local, and national, character, Jim Nolan of Ballinrush, Myshall, County Carlow.
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 above.
As day broke over Myshall the sad news quickly spread
That Jim Nolan he had passed away and a thousand tears were shed.
The supreme storyteller, he was known both far and wide
And Carlow lost a legend the day Jim Nolan died.
Jim was born in October Nineteen Twenty Two,
The year Ireland gained its freedom, with Michael collins and his cfrew.
Now Jim grew up in Myshall and as he reached a certain age
His talents they were plain to see and he was lured on to the stage.
As an actor he was brilliant and his stories they did flow,
He even featured on RTE with Gay Byrne on the Late Late Show.
Jim lived and farmed in Ballinrush the place where he grew up,
There he wrote about the young man who was ‘The real sure sign of a Pup’!
He told us about Binty McGuire, who was tied down when he was dead,
When someone cut the rope at his wake and binty shot up in the bed.
Ah yes, his stories they were magic, they were better than vintage wine
To hear Jim and his sister Bridie declare that they would ‘sign on the dotted line’.
Now, Jim Nolan was a gentleman, we will all agree on that,
With his big broad smile, his walking cane, his pipe and his auld hat.
He could brighten up any story house whether in sunshine or in rain
And, believe me, we will never see the likes of Jim again.
So, Big Jim, we will remember you, as the years go rolling by
For the pleasure that you gave us Jim, your name will never die.
And as we gaze on your beloved Mt. Leinster with its heather, gorse and bush
May you rest in peace forever, Big Jim from Ballinrush.
The Keepers of the Flame
(Air: The Bantry Girl’s Lament)
Author: Dave Barron
The Oral Tradition was central to how our Irish Culture was passed from one generation to the next. The stories, songs and poems that illustrated our Way of Life and our Cultural beliefs were repeated at social events, heard, modified and passed from one generation to the next. The local Rambling House sessions were a key element of that Oral Tradition.
Sadly, the OT is now under threat from our modern social media. Our modern culture is shaped by influences that emanate from places, known and unknown, across the world; the values of our ancestors are diluted or dissolved. The moral framework that shaped and supported our Irish way of life is under serious threat.
Now more than ever we need the Culture Framework and those who keep it alive.
The song reflects on that Oral Tradition and its importance. It particularly remembers Eddie MacDonald of Clonmore, County Carlow, who successfully promoted and maintained the Rambling House tradition. Ar dheis Dé go raibh Eddie.
Long, long ago ancestral lore was passed on orally;
The spark to light the Cultural Fire was lit in family
And local neighbours and the clan, all warmed to that same Flame
And so all came to act the same, all Keepers of the Flame.
Ár gcultúr úr, ó ghlúin go glúin, trí Coimeádaí ár scéal.
That Cultural Fire, fanned into flame, became our Irish Way,
So strong it burned Norse and Norman adopted Irish ways;
Seanchaí and Bard, they were the stars who tended to the Flame;
They told the stories of our race, the Keepers of the Flame.
Ár gcultúr úr, ó ghlúin go glúin, trí Coimeádaí ár scéal.
Queen Liza knew the part they played, how Bards maintained the Flame;
Her empire tried to quench our Flame, to their eternal shame;
But by fireside on Rambling Nights our Culture still was safe:
The singers and the Fear an Tigh, all Keepers of the Flame.
Ár gcultúr úr, ó ghlúin go glúin, trí Coimeádaí ár scéal.
How can we keep the Flame today, with new technology?
The button we press will answer all quests, from AI to Zoology;
But AI and facts need more than that: they need a cultural frame:
We need to maintain our Cultural Flame and the Keepers of the Flame.
Ár gcultúr úr, ó ghlúin go glúin, trí Coimeádaí ár scéal.
In old Clonmore lived such a man, McDonald was his name;
He aimed to keep the Fire aflame, not glory and not fame;
There Eddie Mac and his Rambling House all kept the Fire aflame,
Now Eddie’s gone, he’s joined the throng, the Keepers of the Flame.
Yes, Eddie’s passed to Heaven’s host of Keepers of the Flame.
Two Will Do
Author: Michael Rice
Singer: Michael Rice
Location: Carlow west, Rossmore and the Ridge
Mickey gives an account of his encounter with the law after a long session in various hostelries, together with sound advice as a result of the experience!
‘Twas a Saturday in October in 1983
Just another Saturday or so it seemed to be;
But that day has made history which was very sad:
It was the day that Mickey Rice blew in the plastic bag.
It was down in Ballinabranna that we all worked hard all day,
We were getting out potatoes and drinking mugs of ‘tay’.
In the evening I cam home full of muck and clay,
Says the wife’ Now go and get a drink, it’s been a long hard day’.
So down to the grove I did go as happy as could be.
I met an old acquaintance, ‘twas Billy Motley.
Says Motley ‘have you got the car?’ I had sure as a rule.
So we sailed away to Crettyard and on to the Salmon Pool.
Now we stayed there for quite a while then we drive on to Cainesbridge;
We drank away ‘til closing time then headed for the ridge.
Coming down along the hill a light shone in the sky,
It was from a white Granada and it pulled up closely by.
Now I opened up the fly window and the guard put in his nose.
He says ‘You have drink taken, too much I suppose’.
He handed me a plastic bag, the smallest ever seen.
He says ‘Now blow in that until you turn it green’.
As you know I turned it green, he says ‘now step out, please,
You must leave your friend behind and please give me the keys’.
Says Motley ‘Don’t you worry Mick, everything will be alright’.
So they took me to Kilkenny as the stars were shining bright.
The doctor he was waiting and he read for me the rules.
He says ‘You can give me blood, or urine if you choose’.
So he handed me a bottle and I filled it to the top
And he put my name upon the cap in case it would get lost.
It was in Castlecomer court my license I did lose.
I got 12 month’s suspension for drinking too much booze.
Now I have my license back the truth I’ll tell to you:
Whenever you go drinking boys, remember TWO WILL DO!
Graiguenaspidogue Ball (portion)
Theme: Fun and games
The poem describes the characters and goings-on at a local ball.
From the Seamus Murphy collection.
Tribute to Jim Nolan
Author: Mikey Byrne
Theme: Local Character
Location: Carlow south
Mikey, a famous character in his own right, pays tribute to his friend and famous character, Jim Nolan
Tribute to Jim Nolan
Author: John Candy
Theme: Local Character
Location: Carlow south
John pays tribute to the famous storyteller, Jim Nolan
Tribute to Con Greaney
Author: Tony Malone
Theme: Character
Location: Carlow town
Tony remembers the visit to the Carlow Singers' club of the great Con Greaney
Threshing Dance in Doyles' of Raheendoran
Author: Luke Morrissey
Theme: Fun, local event and characters
Location: Carlow west
The events and characters at a house dance, after the threshing
Won't budge
Author: Tommy Lynch
Theme: Fun
Location: Carlow West
Tommy narrates the escapades of a greyhound; unfortunately, the conclusion of the poem is missing!
Tribute to Margaret Shannon
Author: John Candy
Theme; Tribute to a local character
Location: Carlow East
John pays tribute to a local, well respected lady