Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: Cattia
Date: 15 Apr 21 - 09:52 AM

Like Avalon, the Cliffs of Dooneen are not found in a specific place, but in the mists of myth and nostalgia.

Blear version

I have travelled afar from my own native home
Away over the mountains, across the white foam
But give me a home where the grass grows so green
By the old mossy slopes on the Cliffs of Dooneen

How nice tis to walk on a fine summer’s day
And to view the Skereens* that will never decay
Where the sea grass (1) and sea weed and old carraigeen
Grow rich on the rocks by the Cliffs of Dooneen

The sandhills of Beale (2) are lovely and grand
And the old castle’s ruins (3) look out towards the strand
The rabbits in plenty today can be seen
Making holes for their homes by the Cliffs of Dooneen

My footsteps retreat to the boathouse of old
And the dance at the clash where love stories are told
Today you can see each lad and colleen
Walking round by the shore near the Cliffs of Dooneen

Farewell to Dooneen farewell for a while
And to all the nice neighbours I left on that isle
May my soul never rest till I lay on the green
On the old mossy slopes by the Cliffs of Dooneen

NOTES
1) these sea floor plants often grow in large "meadows" that resemble grazing. There are various types of red algae found along the coasts of Ireland - Great Britain: the alga dulse (Palmaria palmata) and the irish moss (Chondrus crispus also called Carragheen) which, when spread out and dried in the sun, turns to white in a characteristic "blonde" color!
* I still don't know the meaning of the word the Skereens (any algae?)
2) Corcas and Sandhills at Beal Point
3) in Beal you can still see the ruins of Beal Castle; it is interesting to read in the brief description of the ruins to mention the presence of numerous rabbit holes.

See for reference locations https://breenjohnny.wixsite.com/beal
My analysis in Terre Celtiche Blog
https://terreceltiche.altervista.org/cliff-dooneen-or-avalon/

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: Jim Martin
Date: 05 Oct 15 - 06:41 AM

Great pics Peter Laban - just caught up with them as when you posted, my internet connection was too slow to download them (not much faster now)!

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jun 12 - 09:30 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliffs_of_Dooneen

Check out the above link. They are located near Ballybunion in N

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Ellie
Date: 12 Nov 11 - 09:14 PM

LOL - as a kid growing up I always believe the song was written about a beach in Co. Donegal which my family knew as Dooneen, right around the corner from Sliabh League, the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Well, it made sense to me :)

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Ej
Date: 11 Jun 11 - 12:38 AM

I lived in a townland called dooneen in west cork for 3 years . And christy sang to us all in a pub there. Right. .... The cliffs of dooneen.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,maureen
Date: 16 Feb 11 - 03:52 PM

Well, my grandfather is John Clifford from Dooneen, Caherciveen, Kerry!

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 01 Nov 10 - 04:24 PM

Hailing frtom Kilkenny and journeying back often, Geography in Ireland is not to be confused with what's taught in schools. '5 minutes down that road' can be several miles, 'a mile' can be 50 yards, likewise mountains are usually little more than hills, and cliffs any decent sized pile of rocks. So when place names are lauded in song, usually from emnotional or romantic reasons or both, they tend to assume a size and greatness, and beauty, often far beyond what the geographical eye might see. And a great thing it is, how duller would the songs sound if written by text book geography e.g
'Where those big mounds of Mourne sweep down to the sea'

'round the rocky little dunes on the hill near Doneen'

or
'in Dublin's traffic logged dirty city, where the girls are so gritty'

You get my drift

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Sep 10 - 10:10 AM

they are in Clondalkin.. Just off the side of the M50 motor way down near the Canal.. I thought everyone knew that..

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Dooneen
Date: 20 Aug 10 - 10:51 AM

Dooneen is indeed in Kerry, but the term 'cliffs' is just poetic license as is much of the song

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 20 Aug 10 - 03:56 AM

You're welcome. I didn't add any shot of the north side of the Shannon but can add some views of Moveen and general area (from dry land this time).

Rinevella bay, for example, right across the Shannon on this side (the Clare side) has the huge stumps of a medieval oak forest sitting in the tidal zone.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: michaelr
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 05:52 PM

Thank you for posting those photos, Peter. The area looks as lovely as the song claims it to be.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 19 Aug 10 - 08:39 AM

Doon Point to Beal Point and surrounding area on geograph.co.uk for some clifftop view photographs where my own pics were at sea level.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 09:50 AM

Here are a few snaps of the stretch of coast and Cliff just north and North East of Ballybunion, Co Kerry. I have more but this will give an idea of the terrain.

I'll keep them there for a few weeks.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 09:27 AM

This location would probably come closest to pin pointing the answer to the original question of this thread. Courtesy of the Ordnance Survey of Ireland's magnificent website. Zoom in or out at will for more detail or overview as required.

The photographs I have (mentioned above) were all taken within a mile, half a mile from that location and I will post a link them here shortly.

www.geograph.org.uk also offers great maps with user submitted photographs. Didn't check for this location but an astounding array of locations is covered.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: buddhuu
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 05:35 AM

I for one would like to see them, Peter. Always a pleasure to see some of your pics.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 18 Aug 10 - 03:43 AM

With regards to photographs, I have a number of pictures of the cliffs around Ballybunion, right down the coast and the Mouth of the Shannon down from BallyB.

Thee are loads of caves at sea-level and there's the Devil and the Devil's Footstool.

The pictures were all taken from a boat and from that angle I wouldn't be sure which would be the exact location of the spot described in the song.

I can put a few on-line for a while if you like, just so you can get the general feel of the area.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 17 Aug 10 - 09:02 PM

As you drive out of Ballybunion on the road to Beal, just where the Triple Road goes off to the right there is an ruined church. This was Doon church which stands on the cliffe of Doon.

In Ireland the suffix of "een" meening small is added to the end of a name as a sign of affectiion. For example Seaneen, Timeen (small Sean, small Tim). So the cliffs of Dooneen is a affectionit name for the cliffs of Doon.

By the way for all you Irish buffs, this church is named in the short story The Quiet Man from which the movie of the same name was made. The story of the Quiet man was set around Balybunion and in the area that the author Maurice Walsh was born. In the story he sees Mary Kate Danahur at Doon Church,

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,luap, MIltown Malbay
Date: 06 Jul 10 - 08:50 AM

By the way Dooneen.com shows a photograph of Kilkee "from the north slopes of Kerry". This is absolutely false. The photograph is taken from Carrigaholt road just outside Kilkee and is a well known view to anyone local to the area. There is no way this photograph can be taken from anywhere in Kerry. Kilkee in all likelihood cannot be seen from anywhere in Kerry (even Mt. Brandon), since the town is at sea level and the southern side is obscured by the hills that form the Kilkee cliffs (approx 40m).

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Murphy
Date: 08 May 10 - 06:27 AM

This thread is now over 5 years old and despite the numerous contributions I have not yet seen a photograph of the "CLIFFS".
Yes, Dooneen Point, near Beal is the "location" of the song and
it would seem that cliffs are in fact a few rocks on a beach.
Has anyone got a link to any photograph of the location?

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: Fiolar
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 09:21 AM

Guest, Late to the party: Killarney means means "Church of the Sloes". The church was probably built near blackthorn bushes from which the sloe is obtained.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Late_to_the_party
Date: 22 Mar 10 - 02:37 AM

Hi. I found your Forum today and learned alot about one of my all-time favorite songs, "Cliffs of Dooneen", and the whereabouts of Dooneen and the cliffs of Moveen, too. Thanks! Great stuff!

Now, an aside to Henryetta (and any other curious folk):

I was told many years ago that the "Kil" in Irish town names means "church". In olden times, churches were of central importance to the existance, organization, and prosperity of towns. All birth, death, and marriage information was recorded and maintained by the local church. And, I imagine that this was also where town issues were presented and resolved, given the strength of the church at that time. So, it makes sense that the town names were, in essense, an acknowledgement that the church was the focal point of each community. To find the church was much the same as finding the town "center".

Thanks for letting me "chime in". BTW, who is this Arnie? ;-)

===== From Henryetta:
Now then. If 'Kill' is 'cell,' is Killarney the cell of Arnie? Norwegian monk who moved south?

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: michaelr
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 06:22 PM

Thank you Michael. I believe we can consider the matter settled now.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Michael O'Connell
Date: 20 Jan 10 - 03:03 PM

The Cliffs of Donneen are in North Kerry on the Banks of the Shannon Estuary This is an explanation about the arguments on the song and location. I wrote this on another site
Well the words of the song were composed here on the Loop Head Peninsula. It was about the Cliffs of Moveen a local scenic spot just south west of Kilkee. There were many verses to song some now lost, maybe composed in late 1800's or early 1900's and good trad singers from the area were able to give the full version. Huge emigration from West Clare to England in the '40's '50's and 60's they brought the words with them. It was sung around London in those decades and cute Kerry h...r switched the word Moveen to Dooneen. Christy Moore must have come across the plagiarized version and had it on one of his early albums with Plaxnty in the '70s. As they say the rest is history. Cliffs of Dooneen are across in Kerry from Carrigaholt approx at the Mouth of the Shannon. The topography is right if The Cliffs of Moveen version is sung. You can see the Towns of Kilrush and Kilkee from Moveen not from Dooneen. You can't see Kilkee from Dooneen. One thing both places have in common is they rest on shale sandstone rock which is unique to the area, in that there are only two other places in the world where that particular rock is exposed above sea level. Geologists come from all over the world to study the rock in this area because of its accessibility especially those involved in the oil industry.
But if people want to believe that Cliffs of Dooneen are in Clare why not! There is enough of counties around us trying to claim bits of Co Clare. Up The Banner
Michael O'Connell a native of Corca Baiscinn.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: Dooneen Boy
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 06:57 PM

That's what I thought, nothing wrong.

The cliffs are in Beal, Co. Kerry
Always have.


You're serve!

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: Dooneen Boy
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 07:04 PM

Wrong about what?

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: michaelr
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 04:23 PM

Ah now there's some helpful info, Big Tom. Thanks a lot.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Big Tom
Date: 25 Oct 09 - 07:03 PM

Ye're all wrong

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: Dooneen Boy
Date: 18 Oct 09 - 04:14 PM

Hi Bill,

Greetings from New York and late of the Station.( any clues )

Get on personal page, give me a shout.



Sean O M

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Liam Ohainnin Germany formely beale
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 03:30 AM

Hallo I have a recording of my grand uncle Tom Hannon singing The cliffs Of Dooneen .Recorded on a grundig tape recorder around 1958.I am also quite sure the song was braught to Clare by him and the othe beale fishermen who were regular visitors to Kilrush,Doonaha,Carrigaholt and Kilkee .these towns were nearer to us than asdee and ballybunnion,they also went to the fairs and often to mass in clare

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,ellen (crotty) connolly
Date: 04 Apr 09 - 05:51 PM

Siney Crotty was my uncle, brother of my late father, unfortunately i never really got to know him but would love to learn more about him and his music. email [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Dooneen Boy
Date: 17 Dec 08 - 12:43 PM

We have rowed accross the Shannon, keeping Kilrush in sight all the time.

Someone skipped geography class.

Subject: Lyr Add: CLIFFS OF DOONEEN (Jack McAuliffe)
From: GUEST,dooneen.com
Date: 23 Nov 08 - 04:09 PM

The Cliffs of Dooneen

I have traveled afar from my own native home.
Away o'er the billows, away o'er the foam
I have seen many sights but no equal I've seen
To the old rocky slopes by the cliffs of Dooneen

I have seen many sights of Columbus fair land,
Africa and Asia so delightful and grand,
But dig me a grave were the grass it grows green
On the old rocky slopes by the cliffs of Dooneen.

How pleasant to walk on a fine summers day.
And to view the sweet cherries that will never decay,
Where the sea grass and seaweed and the old carrageen
All grow from the rocks by the cliffs of Dooneen.

The Sand hills of Beal are glorious and grand,
And the old castle ruins looking out on the strand,
Where the hares and the rabbits are there to be seen
Making holes for their homes by the cliffs of Dooneen.

I have tracked my love's footsteps to the boathouse of old
And the dance on the hillside where love stories are told,
Its there you will see both the lad and the colleen
Moving round by the shore of the cliffs of Dooneen

Take a view across the Shannon some sites you will see there
High rocky mountains on the south coast of Clare
The towns of Kilrush and Kilkee ever green
But theres none to compare with the cliffs of Dooneen

Farewell Dooneen, Farewell for a while,
And to those kind-Hearted neighbours that I left in the isle,
May my soul never rest till it's laid on the green
Near the old rocky slopes by the Cliffs of Dooneen


Jack McAuliffe
check out Dooneen.com for photo of Kilkee from North Kerry

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Nov 08 - 02:26 PM

Came across this completely by accident - I'm from Kilkee

The Geographical/topographical anomalies pointed out are correct. Kilkee and Kilrush cannot be seen from the coast of Kerry. They can however be seen from the Hill of Moveen outside Kilkee, apparently the original title of the song.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Dooneen Boy
Date: 10 Oct 08 - 06:59 PM

It is there if you want to see it.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: Captain Pugwash
Date: 01 Oct 08 - 01:13 AM

Big Tim,

I was sent the words by someone I don't know, through the internet. I've (today) asked them for more information, but similar verses have already been quoted here...

Oh, and by the way, I've stood at Dooneen Point with binoculars - you can make out the mouth of Kilrush Creek alright, though not the town itself, however Kilkee lies in a hollow and there are hills in between, so it isn't visible from there.

The only vantage point from which you can see all the sights described in the more usual versions of the song - "a view o'er the Shannon", "the high rocky mountains o'er the west coast of Clare", "the towns of Kilkee and Kilrush" and "the high rocky slopes round the cliffs" - is Moveen Hill (which is the view from the back of my house) and the spectacular cliffs beside it are at Doonaghboy.

(Doonaghboy + Moveen = ?)

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Big Tim
Date: 30 Sep 08 - 10:35 AM

Thanks Captain Pugwash, most interesting!

Can you elaborate in any way on the source, authenticity, etc, of the lyrics that you posted?

Subject: Lyr Add: CLIFFS OF DOONEEN (Jack McAuliffe)
From: Captain Pugwash
Date: 29 Sep 08 - 11:21 PM

Living in Kilkee and working in Kilrush, as well as having friends in North Kerry and knowing several people who sing the song, I've been curious about The Cliffs of Dooneen for some time myself.

Finally, I've recently been sent Jack McAuliffe's supposedly "original" words, which prove to be those of a significantly different "Kerry" version of the "Clare" song that most people are familiar with. Indeed, has anybody ever heard the McAuliffe version sung?

THE CLIFFS OF DOONEEN, by Jack McAuliffe:

Verse 1

I have travelled afar from my own native home.
Away o'er the billows, away o'er the foam
I have seen many sights but no equal I've seen
To the old rocky slopes by the cliffs of Dooneen.

Verse 2

I have seen many sights of Columbus fair land,
Africa and Egypt so Delightful and grand,
But dig me a grave were the grass it grows green
On the old rocky slopes by the cliffs of Dooneen.

Verse 3

How pleasant to walk on a fine summer's day,
And to view the sweet cherries that will never decay,
Where the seagrass and seaweed and the old carrageen
All grow from the rocks by the cliffs of Dooneen.

Verse 4

The Sandhills of Beal are glorious and grand,
And the old castle ruins looking out on the strand,
Where the hares and the rabbits are there to be seen
Making holes for their homes by the cliffs of Dooneen.

Verse 5

I have tracked my love's footsteps to the boathouse of old
And the dance on the hillside where love stories are told,
It's there you will see both the lad and the colleen
Moving round by the shore of the cliffs of Dooneen

Verse 6

Farewell Dooneen, Farewell for a while,
And to those kind-Hearted neighbours that I left in the isle,
Ma my soul never rest till it's laid on the green
Near the old rocky slopes by the Cliffs of Dooneen

Notice that these words make no claim to be able to see Kilrush, Kilkee or anywhere else in Clare, whilst all the places described in the usual version of the song can be seen from Moveen, outside Kilkee.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Sep 08 - 11:37 AM

Yes indeed doon and dooneen are townlands north of ballybunion, only a few miles away. the whole coastline is littered with promintery forts such as lick castle etc...and very very rocky
my mothers family are from kilconly parish at leansechane a skip and a jump down from beal

absolutely beautiful area

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,David Ingerson
Date: 08 Sep 08 - 02:19 AM

Fascinating thread! Thanks everyone.

This was one of the first Irish songs I learned (back in '79) but I let it lapse because of how popular it had become. I always did like it, though, just like mg. Now maybe with another rare verse....

Cheers,

David

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: Dooneen Boy
Date: 07 Sep 08 - 08:17 AM

To whom it may concern,

The cliffs are still there.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: Dooneen Boy
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 08:14 PM

I will walk them again in about three weeks.

I will take some photo's.

Big Tim you should join me.

09 u should pose.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Dooneen Boy
Date: 30 May 08 - 06:43 PM

I'm back.

09 and I know where they are.

West of the Station!

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,thomaspierce09
Date: 09 May 08 - 08:50 PM

they are located in beal, 3 miles north of ballybunion on my neighbours land. i've been to them about a million times and you can see claire eassily, the dooneen cliffs are very high giving a very good view point and is overlooked by beal wind farm.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: Big Tim
Date: 08 Apr 08 - 12:11 PM

Got an email from Kerry Libraries today. They checked the bank numbers of the Shannonside Annual but found no article on 'Cliffs of Dooneen' there. All they have on the song is the lyrics.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: Big Tim
Date: 07 Apr 08 - 10:42 AM

Still no word from Kerry Libraries. I'll going to write to them.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: michaelr
Date: 06 Apr 08 - 01:35 PM

There are several photo-sharing sites on the web. You need but sign up.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: Dooneen Boy
Date: 05 Apr 08 - 07:34 PM

OK I'll do that when I get back to home base.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: Big Tim
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 12:19 PM

It can be done by email. However, it's probably not advisable to put email addresses on a public forum like Mudcat. You could join Mudcat and then exchange email addresses by Personal Message between Mudcat only members. (it's simple to use).

Someone with more tech know how than I may be able to suggest alternatives.

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Dooneen Boy
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 11:02 AM

I have a phpto of the Cliffs.
How do I share it?

Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Dooneen. WHERE?
From: GUEST,Dooneen Boy
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 10:19 AM

The times I mean.....