McGlynn, Wexford Carol The Wexford Carol is an Irish folk song that probably dates back to the 15th or 16th century. It became popular through the efforts of William Grattan Flood, organist at St. Aidan’s Cathedral in Enniscorthy in the County of Wexford. Flood transcribed … Read more
The Rocky Road to Dublin For St. Patrick’s Day this year, we have The Rocky Road to Dublin. The text was written by D. K. Gavan for the popular singer Harry Clifton (1832-1872), and it’s now considered a standard Irish folk song. The music is … Read more
The Foggy Dew I have a fair amount of Irish ancestry (the Belfast variety). My mother, a first-generation American, taught me a few things about St. Patrick’s Day, but as Protestants, we didn’t make a big deal out of any saint’s day. Still, St. Patrick’s … Read more
The High Road to Kilkenny Kilkenny (Cill Chainnigh) began as an ecclesiastical settlement in the 6th century. Its history as a medieval capital, St. Canice Cathedral, Round Tower, and many other attractions make it today a popular tourist destination. I have never been there, but … Read more
My Lagan Love Do not listen to this while driving. Recently, driving at night on one of our extended trips to a conference, grandkids in tow, Carol put on a recording of Jim Weiss telling bedtime stories. Same problem. I had to request one of … Read more
The Parting Glass, Irish Song (arr. Earley) A simple song well sung. Simplicity is a virtue in music too often forgotten. We have a tendency to celebrate complexity and bigness for their own sake. Just look at the Super Bowl Halftime Show each year where … Read more
