Remember Doolough

Subject: Remember Doolough
From: Joe Offer
Date: 07 Jun 20 - 12:09 AM

David Ingerson sang this powerful song today.

REMEMBER DOOLOUGH
(Jon Tunney)

Words by John Tunney
Melody “The Valley of Knockanure”

Remember Doolough

You may hear them speak about Mozambique
And of Africa’s famine tide
Of drought and greed of which few take heed
That has sapped a continent’s pride
While millions cry, ten thousands die
And our government takes no stand
But now a tale I’ll tell of a similar hell
That happened in our own land.

Early spring in Black ‘49
The country was on the rack
Day and night relentless blight
Had consumed the tatty crop
While cattle and grain were exported to Spain
And food lay piled in stores
In Mayo south and round about
The people they perished in scores.

Crowds were gathered in Louisburgh
Hoping for some relief
‘Twas said the Poor Law Guardians
Could end their piteous grief
These gentry fine were meeting to dine
In Delphi ten miles away
Children, Women and Men, 400 strong
Set out on that fateful day.

Crossing the Glankeen in full flood
Some fell by the river side
And going along the mountain road
Still more collapsed and died
Exhausted and weak, scarcely able to speak
They thronged into Delphi town
And waited in mass for food or a pass
To enter the Workhouse grounds.
After his meal of wine and veal
A Guardian addressed them all
There was no food here and he greatly feared
No room within Workhouse walls
They would have to go, hail rain or snow
And to their homes go back
Dismayed and afraid, despair in their hearts
They set out upon the track.

Like harvest sheaves or autumn leaves
They fell dying along the road
As dark drew in, the snow came down
And the night it was bitter cold
Going along the cliff the wind was stiff
Driving on the blinding sleet
Hundreds were swept into Doolough’s depths
A horror beyond belief.

Next day relieving officers
Had a terrible sight in store
With corpses strewn along the route
And littering Doolough shore
Whole families’ dead, for want of being fed
An injustice, a crying shame
A forgotten sign for our own time
When we witness the very same

From the Sudan to Pakistan
Famine victims they wait in need
And a people like ours, who know this curse
Must surely take a lead
Remember that walk, O remember Doolough
Let our banners be unfurled
Against selfish gain and indifference to pain
But for justice throughout our world.
Words by John Tunney
Melody “The Valley of Knockanure”

https://www.facebook.com/MichaelDavittMuseum/photos/the-following-is-a-poignant-reminder-of-those-dreadful-events-of-170-years-ago-t/2185155754925099/

Subject: RE: Remember Doolough
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 07 Jun 20 - 03:01 AM

John Tunney is an excellent singer, a friend and neighbour living in Ennis, Co Clare
He and his siblings all sing; they are the latest generation of the legendary Tunney Family, Grandmother Brigid, Grand Uncle Michael Gallagher, father, Paddy... numerous other family members recorded by the BBC
John completed his PhD on his families five generations of singing a couple of years ago, 'Hearth and Home', which sets out to place the songs in their social and geographical setting, and gave a talk on it at last year's Willie Clancy Summer School, John with his brother and sisters provided the singing examples - hopefully he will publish it - a magnificent piece of research
John and his siblings can be heard on the excellent family set, 'Where the Linnets Sing' and his sister, Sister Brigid Tunney had produced her own CD (both not easy to get - contact me)
John is a fine songmaker with a number of excellent songs under his belt
THE IMMIGRANT

"Doologh" refers to a horrific 'death march' during The Famine when 600 starving villagers embarked on a 15 walk (mainly uphill, over rough ground' to plead with the Landlord for relief; they were turned away 'empty-bellied' because the family "were eating" - most of the 600 died on the journey   
DOOLOUGH
"Doolough" translates as "Black Lake"; it is one of the most picturesque roads in Ireland, running from Leenane, the town where 'The Field' was filmed to Louisburgh - off the road there is (surprisingly) a monument to the Dunne's workers who were sacked for supporting the boycott of South African goods
TEN YOUNG WOMEN and ONE YOUNG MAN

Not "too much information" I hope
Jim

Subject: RE: Remember Doolough
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 07 Jun 20 - 06:10 AM

Forgot to mention
The road to Delphi starts adjacent to Ireland's only fjord
Jim