The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #77129   Message #1372353
Posted By: triskelle
05-Jan-05 - 04:39 PM
Thread Name: Origins: Castle of Dromore
Subject: Lyr Add: THE CASTLE OF DROMORE
I am working on a website which offers the visitor a journey through Irish history and Ireland in general with references to Irish songs.

Among my problems is one real nutcracker:

There is an Irish lullaby with the title Castle of Dromore. Guess what: there are at least three "Castles of Dromore" or "Dromore Castles" on Ireland. The Castles of Dromore in the counties Kerry and Limerick are still existing, and the Castle of Dromore in County Down is demolished. Does anybody knows to which castle this song refers to?

Second question is why this castle surfaced in a lullaby. The final, but less important, question is: who the he** is "Clan Owen's wild banshee"?
Lyrics copy-pasted from the link cited above.
-Joe Offer-

The October winds lament around the castle of Dromore
Yet peace is in her lofty halls, my loving treasure store
Though autumn leaves may droop and die, a bud of spring are you

Sing hushabye loo, low loo, low lan
Hushabye loo, low loo

Dread spirits all of black water, Clan Owen's wild banshee
Bring no ill wind to him nor us, my helpless babe and me
And Holy Mary pitying us to Heaven for grace doth sue

Take time to thrive, my ray of hope, in the garden of Dromore
Take heed, young eaglet, till thy wings are feathered fit to soar
A little rest and then the world is full of work to do
A little rest and then the world is full of work to do