Hi George Henderson: One of the problems with real old Irish songs, is as with the ones above, many of the popular ones where written by Victorian Galigores. There is a great Triona Ni Domhnail song, that although she sings a modern translation, IS about a real historical event and his from, I think the 11th cent. and is a decendant of the origional ballad, Turloch og o Boyle. In fact, I hope I dont get arrested for saying that a friend and I climed the walls of Castle Doe, and there is a window that can only be the one that Erleen Malmirin saw her lover burried over the grave yard wall from and from which she could see the strand and stream from the song, we walked the hall up to the battlement where she threw herself off from, nd it all can still be seen, though the floors are gone, Norman keeps, with their double walls, you can still trace her final path. You can even find traces of Norman plaster, with its triangle pattern. Now, I have to warn all, that the Irish governemnt looks unkindly on climbing on national treasures, and today, years latter, one can likely be arrested for doing so, but if, Like me, you must sing that ballad at the spot it happened, well the risk is up to you. WIth appoligies to the government of Ireland, and Nollag maith agut and happy Saint Stevens day...
Larry Otway