Browse Items · From Carlow Streams

The Shooting At Shean
Author: Peter Cleary
Singer 1: Danny Browne
Singer 2: John Candy

In the county of Carlow two rebels were slaughtered
Two brave Irish heroes who loved Erin dear
With the guns of the British that they lent Dick Mulcahy
They were both assassinated at Carthy’s of Shean.

That beautiful mountain looks down over…

Tags: Carlow South, Cleary P, Local event, Patriotic Hero, Social Comment

The Kingdom's Crown
Author: Tommy lynch

Location: Carlow county
A call to battle to take the All-Ireland crown from the Kingdom

Tags: Carlow County, Lynch T, Pride in Place, Sporting Hero

The Carlow Fifteen
Authors; Tommy Lynch and P.J. Furey

In 1944, Carlow made sporting history by winning their only Leinster Senior Football Championship, defeating Dublin in the final. This momentous victory was immortalized in verse by P.J. Furey, capturing the excitement, pride, and determination of that legendary team. Below is the full transcription of his poem, celebrating the Carlow fifteen and their unforgettable triumph.

In the year Forty-four towards the end of July, 
The great Leinster final was played in Athy. 
This game of fine football was listed between, 
The boys from the Liffey and the Carlow fifteen.

Oh! I'll never forget till the day that I die, 
Of the crowds that went travelling that day to Athy, 
They peddled and walked it, excitement was keen, 
By the many supporters of the Carlow fifteen.

There were horses and ponies and jennets and traps, 
For most of the journey not caring two raps, 
There were donkeys came trotting down every boreen, 
With their ears to attention for the Carlow fifteen.

O'er the mountains of Leinster the cheers rose and fell, 
As Dublin played strongly and Carlow right well, 
When the tin whistle sounded the score board was seen, 
To be down in the figures for the Carlow fifteen.

As the crowd held their breath and the great climax came, 
It was whispered all over that Dublin held game, 
But none ever thought of the scoring machine, 
The forward division of the Carlow fifteen.

What change in the last half did the minutes unroll, 
As the boys from the Barrow kept swarming the goal, 
It was blue in an old spot, but red, gold and green, 
Were the colours of victory for the Carlow fifteen.

Now we'll crown every player with a gay flowered wreath, 
Made from cauliflowers and onions and sugar beet, 
There will be smiles on the features of dark Rosaleen, 
Decorating the boys of the Carlow fifteen.

As the years creep upon me, I'm wrinkled and grey, 
There are times that I gossip and times that I pray, 
I will sit by my fireside and puff my dudeen, 
And go with my thoughts on the team fondly stray.

Jim Quinlan the goalie was the best in his day, 
Jim Archbold, Joyce, and Lawlor full-back, 
Whelan and Farrell and O'Rourke weren’t slack.

Centre field was Luke Kelly and Jim Morris of fame, 
Mickey Byrne and Hosey and Moore were all game, 
But Sullivan, Doyle and Jerma near were green, 
Proud champions of Leinster were the Carlow fifteen.

Location: Carlow county
Praise for the hope the heroes of 1944 brought to Carlow in that glorious era
The two texts show how songs were added to or amended slightly, part of the oral tradition.

Tags: Carlow County, Furey PJ, Local event, Lynch T, Sporting Hero

Life
Author: Dave Barron
Air: Siun Ui Dhuibhir

LIFE

Farewell to the days of our youth, now long gone bye,
The red sap that pulsed through young limbs now sere and dry;
The hot pulse that throbbed in wild heart and fiery limbs,
Now chilled and faded in time as memory dims.

Lonely and…

Tags: Carlow County, Love, Personal wellbeing, Social Comment

Mother
Author: Dave Barron

Air: May Morning Dew

MOTHER

The bright wind of Springtime brings you to my mind,

Filled with fine promise, all gentle and kind;

Fountain of hope and my bright, guiding star,

Still guiding my life choice from Heaven afar.

The soft breeze of Summer…

Tags: Barron D, Carlow County, Love, Personal wellbeing, Wellness

The Secrets of the Stones
Author: Dave Barron
Air: England's Motorway

The druids worshipped golden Fionn five thousand years ago;
They marked his birthday every year in monuments of stone;
And when mid-winter morning sun peeped o’er the rim of gold
It lit the shrine of Newgrange stone right to the very…

Tags: Barron D, Carlow County, Pride in Place, Social Comment

The Seasons of Our Years
Author: Dave Barron
Air: Shanagolden
Singer: Mick O'connor

The Seasons of Our Years 2, Mick O'Connor.MP3

THE SEASONS OF OUR YEARS

Do you remember, darling, the springtime of our years,
The passion, the tensions, the laughter, and some fears?
We planted love together and tended it with care
And we faced into our seasons, uncertain what lay…

Tags: Barron D, Carlow County, Love, Personal wellbeing

Congo

Location: Carlow Town
Kevin gleeson was one of the Irish UN peacekeepers killed in the Niemba ambush in 1960. His heroism and sacrifice, as well as that of his comrades, is celebrated in this poem

Tags: Author Unknown, Carlow County, Carlow Town, Local Hero