The Pogues are a raucous lot. They are the stuff of legend in Ireland and anywhere Irish people assemble, which is a lot of places across the world. Although a Hiberno-English band, their sound is all Irish, as is their attitude. They would be classified as a trad/folk punk band, but are so much more. […]
Lisa O’Neill is from Cavan close to the English-imposed border in Ireland. She is a fairly fresh voice on the Irish folk scene and a favourite of local DJs who know their music. He voice is certainly distinctive and her lyrics are insightful and profound. She is one to watch for the future. If you […]
This renowned and beautiful Irish ballad was reputed to have been written by James McGarvey from the County Derry portion of Slieve Gallion mountain. The mountain itself is divided between counties Derry and Tyrone although the vast majority is in the former, the latter being a veritable wasteland full of head-the-balls. This rendition is performed […]
This haunting ballad was written by the Derry song-writer, Phil Coulter, for his disabled child. Coulter was insistent that Luke Kelly should be the one to sing it. He recognized the strength of Luke’s voice and the passion that he would bring to the song. The version here contains some static. There are other studio […]
Patrick Kavanagh was born in County Monaghan in 1904 and died in 1967. He was a colourful and combative character who wrote of the life of the rural people of Ireland. He had an ongoing dispute with the Irish poet and playwright, Brendan Behan. Kavanagh‘s most famous poem is Raglan Road which is now best […]
In this homemade instalment, the same family that fought a vicious battle with a bat in the kitchen, return to take on a man-eating mouse. It’s easy to think of the mouse in this clip lying behind the sofa laughing uproariously at the efforts of Derry to catch him, as he listens to the squealing […]
This is a lesser known song of the brutalities meted out to the Irish who found themselves transported to the penal colonies in Australia. Many of the airs used in these laments are used time and again, although the fine lyrics negate any boredom with the melody. Here, John Denver tackles the song during a […]
Planxty were widely regarded as the foremost folk music act in Ireland of the 70s and early 80s. They were instrumental (and sung a bit as well) in helping to revive the folk scene. bolstering it internationally. Today, their former members can still be heard on the airwaves of Ireland, and Christy Moore is still […]
This haunting song was written by Seán McBride, a native of Donegal. It tells of the beauty of his own home area and the desire to always return there no matter how long has passed. This is a common theme in Irish folk music. Mass emigration has had a pronounced effect upon the song writers […]
Luka Bloom is the less well-known brother of Christy Moore. This is his own song made famous by his big brother. The sound quality is not as good as it could be but Rebel Voice likes the raw edge it gives to the song. The song is a lament of emigration as Irish emigres make […]
This is a standard of the folk scene in Ireland and wherever the Irish diaspora gather. It’s a lament for the emigrants and their descendants who live around the world. It can be difficult for those from some other nations to fully understand the emotional connections that Irish people have for their place of birth. […]
This song, written by Dicky Shannon for the playwright and revolutionary, Brendan Behan, reflects on the experiences of a prisoner who yearns for freedom. It was first performed in 1954 for the opening of Behan’s play, The Quare Fellow. It has been covered by many artists over the years and is heavily referenced in Stephen […]
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