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Note add: Wind that shakes the barley

14 Sep 00 - 06:11 AM (#297027)
Subject: Note add: Wind that shakes the barley
From: Wolfgang

The wind that shakes the barley is a beautiful song already in the database. Sometimes I like to find out what is behind a song or a name in a song I don't know. I hadn't heard the place name Oulart Hollow before and at first I thought it was an invention of the poet. But I found this bit in a search at a site about the 1798 rebellion in Co. Wexford and think it could be added as an explaining note to the song:

'On the 26th of May the rebellion in Wexford burst into flame. Thousands of peasants had taken to the fields, and became peasant armies. The largest force, led by Father John Murphy of Boulavogue, assembled on a hill at Oulart, ten miles south of Gorey and eight miles from Wexford town. Another rebel group assembled on Kilthomas Hill, nine miles west of Gorey, and was put to flight by three hundred yeomen from the garrison at Carnew, who in pursuit burned about a hundred cabins and farmhouses and two Roman Catholic churches, one of them Father Murphy's at Boulavogue. An attempt to dislodge the rebels on Oulart Hill was a disaster for a detachment of 109 men of the North Cork militia from the garrison at Wexford. Only Colonel Foote, commanding, a sergeant, and three privates returned to Wexford.'

Wolfgang


14 Sep 00 - 10:22 AM (#297139)
Subject: RE: Note add: Wind that shakes the barley
From: MartinRyan

Wolfgang

Oulart turns up in several of the '98 Wexford songs - try a DT search on it.

Regards


14 Sep 00 - 12:07 PM (#297186)
Subject: RE: Note add: Wind that shakes the barley
From: Peg

thanks for these notes: I sing this song often and having more historical information (other than "this song commemorates the 1798 uprising) is always welcome!