Irish Republic Music: Fee McGorman
Songs of the Irish Republic
1970 – Outlet BOL 4005 LP
Side One
Down by the Liffey Side
God Save Ireland for the Empire
General Munro
Tribute to Barnes and M'Cormack
Castle of Drumbo
Erin go Bragh
Side Two
Show me the Man
O'Donovan Rossa
Lament for Sean South
Gra Mo Croidhe
Kevin Barry
Man from the Daily Mail
Credits
Produced: Billy McBurney
Engineer: Cel Fay
Studio: Lloyd-International, Belfast
Sleeve Notes
In making this L.P. I find myself indebted to the members of the James Connolly G.A.A. and Folk Club in the OLD HOUSE ALBERT STREET, to Petesy Burnes and to Bridie Dolan for their help in compiling the material on this record.
DERMOT O'DONOVAN ROSSA
O'Donovan Rossa was born in Skibereen where he was editor of the
local newspaper. For his dedication to the Fenian cause he was
imprisoned, and after eighteen years was released on condition he
went into exile, He lived in America until his death in a State
Island Hospital. Hisbody was brought back to Ireland and buried in
Glasnevin Cemetery, Dublin on August 1st, 1915.
KEVIN BARRY
This well known song was written in dedication to the eighteen
years old Medical Student who laid down his life for the cause of
Irish Freedom in Mountjoy Jail, Dublin on November 1st, 1920.
THE CASTLE OF DRUMBOE
Drumboe Castle in Donegal was formerly the charge of the British
Army but after the treaty, was taken over by the Free Staters. On
March 14th, 1923 three opponents of the treaty. Charles Daly, Sean
Larkin, and Dan Enright were executed by Free Staters.
LAMENT FOR SEAN SOUTH
On January 1st 1956 a daring raid planned on Brookeborough
Barracks with the intention of securing arms. Unfortunately the
execution of the plan was unsuccessful and Sean South from
Limerick and Fergal O'Hanlon were shot dead.
TRIBUTE TO BARNES & McCORMACK
In Winston Green Prison, Birmingham on 3rd February, 1940 (Ash
Wednesday) two Mullingar men. Peter Barnes and James McCormack
were executed for their alleged involvement in an ex plosion in
Coventry. After negotiations their bodies were brought back to
Ireland and re-interred in their native soil in Mullingar on 6th
July, 1969.
MAN FROM THE DAILY MAIL
This song was written after a "slightly" exaggerated report on
Ireland in the twenties appeared in the columns of the well-known
English Newspaper.
DOWN BY THE LIFFEY SIDE
One of the most rousing of all Irish Rebel Songs. It originates in
Dublin but its sentiments are experienced throughout Ireland.
GOD SAVE IRELAND FOR THE EMPIRE
Strains of "Mother England loves us still". We forgive but could
anyone forget.
Gra' MO CHROI'
From the song we gather the Author was dreaming. This is in fact
the dream of all Irishmen and only Irishmen, taking heart from our
historic heroes, can turn the dream into a reality.
ERIN GO BRAGH
Although the 1916 campaign was a military failure, our heroes had
some victories. Let us remember these.
SHOW ME THE MAN
What other song could so amply express the sentiments of every
true Irishmen.
GENERAL MONROE
The song is another ballad of the "98" rising by the United
Irishmen. Henry Monroe was the leader of the United Irishmen at
the Battle of Ballinahinch and for his part in the Battle was
executed at Lisburn.
Fee McGorman
