Lighter
"If "Abore/O'Bore" is from a place name, where is it?"
Rural Ireland is divided into ancient 'Townlands', which don't appear on regular maps - sort-of old postal or zip codes; they are usually bordered by rivers or streams.
From Joyce's description in his 'Irish Names of Places' "Bough" is possibly one of these in County Carlow - where Frank Feeney's wife came from - he learned the song from her.
'Townlands' have been in continual use for centuries and still are - our post lady swears by them!
We live in Knockliscrane (The hill where corn was burned -according to Joyce) and our next townland is Poulawillan (William's hole - don't ask!)
Wherever Mrs Feeney got the song from it is probably a localised rationalisation - it happens all the time and is an indication of the level of involvement and ownership the singers placed on the songs.
Jim Carroll