AN LONDUBH IS AN CHÉIRSEACH (scroll down for translation)
Tá an londubh is an chéirseach, is an fhuiseoigín le chéile,
Is an smóilín binn bréagach ina ndiaidh i ngach aird,
An chuach i measc an méid sin ag seinm dánta…
Tommy Makem wrote this in the late 1960's; he used travel to Carpenter's bar in Carlow to help raise funds for the victims of the 'Troubles' in Northern Ireland.
Thanks to the Makem Centre for accessing the melody
Location: South , especiall mount Leinster area.
One of the loveliest old Irish love songs, and from Carlow!
Many versions of the song have been written over the centuries; this is one of the loveliest .
Location: Blackstairs
The poem narrates the story of a highwayman's attempt to kidnap a girl, her rescue by her true love and the subsequent death of the highwayman after a pursuit by the people.
Location: Carlow town
Sean McCarthy (Shanagolden) wrote this after a sojourn in Carlow. It tells the sad love story of a widow with young son whose father died in the fight for freedom.
The second text is Sean's own telling of the context for his…