|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,George Henderson Date: 22 Jun 10 - 04:08 AM This thread is one of the best I have come across on the Mudcat. Spancil Hill Fair takes place tomorrow (23rd June.) Robbie McMahon has a night of singing and story telling in Duggan's pub tonight, the eve of the fair, at which he will no doubt sing the great song. Should be a good night but could get very crowded. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Suegorgeous Date: 22 Jun 10 - 06:45 AM Spancil Hill vanished when I tried to find it last year, on my way out of the Tulla Festival.... :( |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,George Date: 22 Jun 10 - 11:04 AM Well Suegorgeous it is still there but if you blink twice you will miss it. It is a very small place to have such a big song written about it. Robbie's first Friday is still happening. Ist friday of the month in Duggan's bar on the main Ennis Tulla road at Spancil Hill. Starts at 9 o'clock. Good night guaranteed every first Friday. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Suegorgeous Date: 22 Jun 10 - 02:57 PM Would love to get to one of Robbie's sessions one day. He ran a fantastic 5-hour one last year at Tulla Festival - a whole pub virtually silent for 5 hours! (til they kicked us out when the footie started!). |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Alice Date: 22 Jun 10 - 02:59 PM It warms my heart to see my best Mudcat experience refreshed. I still have the cassette tape from Robbie singing Spancil Hill. Alice |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,Billsheen Date: 22 Jun 10 - 04:42 PM Of Spancil Hill P W Joyce says in his IRISH NAMES OF PLACES (Dublin,1875) "In the parish of Clooney in Clare is the village of Spancelhill, well known for its fairs. The correct Irish name is Cnoc-fuarchoilli [Knock-foorkilla], the hill of the cold wood,for so the Four Masters call it, when recording a battle fought there in 1559, between the rival earls of Ormonde and Desmond. In the colloquial language however, the f is aspirated and omitted, which reduces it to Cnoc-urchaill [Knockoorkill]; and as urchall or aurchomhal is a spancel, the name came to be erroneously translated Spancelhill instead of Coldwoodhill." "spancel n., a hobble often made of hay-rope or old clothing. Kiely- A BALL OF MALT AND MADAME BUTTERFLY, 183; 'The wife has him tethered and spancelled in the haggard.'" A DICTIONARY OF HIBERNO-ENGLISH, Terence Patrick Dolan(Dublin 1998). |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,Billsheen Date: 23 Jun 10 - 02:55 AM The fair takes place today, June 23rd. http://www.spancilhillfair.com/ |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,George Henderson Date: 23 Jun 10 - 03:18 AM I expect to meet Robbie on 2nd July (First friday). And he is a guest at the Frank Harte festival in Dublin organised by Goilin, the Dublin singers club. I was unable to make it to Spancil Hill last night. Hope to get a report on the session later this week. Robbie's tape has now been converted to CD format. Anybody who wants a copy should write to Robbie McMahon, Spancil Hill, Co Clare, Ireland. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,Guest , John Date: 07 Jul 10 - 07:01 AM I hear you brought the whole wagon trail wit you to the Singer's Club George. 27 different performers on the night!! Amazing. When is that Frank Harte featival and where?? |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,George Henderson Date: 07 Jul 10 - 10:15 AM Certainly did John. And we all got at least 2 songs in with Robbie singing 4. It was a fab night. Long may it continue. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,Guest John Date: 07 Jul 10 - 08:01 PM Friend of mine was there, Said good mixture of singers with a few very good singers. Robbie is a gem!! When is the Frank Harte festival. Might try to make it. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: michaelr Date: 07 Jul 10 - 10:39 PM This year's Frank Harte Festival will take place Friday 24th to Sunday 26th of September 2010, and will be at the Teacher's Club, Parnell Square, Dublin, Ireland. (From here.) |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,George Henderson Date: 05 Aug 10 - 09:38 AM Robbie's night on again tomorrow night.(Friday 6th) See you all there. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Green Man Date: 05 Aug 10 - 10:35 AM Spancel is a rope used to hobble animals to stop them wandering. I wonder why I can't move my legs.. ;) |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,Guest - Aidan Date: 04 Sep 10 - 10:43 AM What a night!!! Robbie's Singers Club last night was absolutely fantastic! Never at it before, but - Wow - what a night! Over 50 songs/recitations performed. Aside from the man himself who delivers pure gold every time he sings, very good performances from Richard, Bernie, Paidi, John Power, Paddy Commane - Hilarious. George and his friend John. But hairs on my neck rose when another John sang The Croppy Boy. Can only use the names they were called by to sing so I am afraid I don't know lots of full names. But would love to hear that John again or find out has he recorded. Robbie is a national treasure!! |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,A Spancel Date: 14 Sep 10 - 03:09 AM In the North, (County Down) a spancel, used to hobble animals, is called a "langel" (sp?) as in "I'll langel ye !" meaning, I'm gonna stop you or slow you down, usually directed at a hyperactive child! |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GeoffLawes Date: 14 Sep 10 - 06:23 AM Christy Moore & Shane MacGowan sing Spancil Hill on YOU TUBE |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,George Henderson Date: 14 Sep 10 - 06:28 AM Robbie is a guest at the Frank Harte festival which will be held from 24th to 26th September 2010 in the Teachers Club, Dublin. and yes, he is a national treasure. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,John Condon Date: 15 Oct 10 - 07:18 AM Duggans Bar Singer's Club now has its own Facebook Page. Access it for info on upcoming first Fridays. Roll on 5th November. Robbie now has to be addressed as Squire Robbie after his civic reception in Ennis last Monday. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,John Breslin Date: 08 Nov 10 - 05:59 PM Enjoyed another great night in Duggans Pub Spancilhill at Robbie Mc Mahons First Friday. Is the page on facebook up and running yet? Cant seem to find it |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Jim Carroll Date: 09 Nov 10 - 03:36 AM Just attended our local (West Clare) Singing Weekend just gone and heard an excellent song, (I think, contemporary to the event - probably early 20th century) sung by John Lyons, about a fight at the Fair at Spancil Hill. Wonder if anybody knows it and has a set of the words - would appreciate. Jim Carroll |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,^&* Date: 09 Nov 10 - 03:47 AM That was "The Spancelhill Affray". It's in O'Cillin's "Ballads of Co. Clare" book, which you may have - or at least have ready access to! If not, I'll post a set of words in a new thread when I get a chance and put a link here. I don't think we've posted it before. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,George Henderson Date: 09 Nov 10 - 04:26 AM Yes John, it surely was yet another great night in Duggans. And Micheal is so accomodating is he not. Of course Robbie was in great voice yet again. Cannot make it in December due to a prior engagement and The January night is New Years day so I don't expect to make that. Could well have visitors in February as well. All very unfortunate. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Jim Carroll Date: 09 Nov 10 - 05:23 AM GUEST,^&* Thanks, I found it just after I posted. I scanned it down and posted it - but it seems not to have survived the journey Jim Carroll |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,John Condon Date: 12 Nov 10 - 07:20 PM Facebook Page is there. Click on pages and search for Duggan's Pub Singers Club. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,Dympna Date: 18 Dec 10 - 01:38 AM Off to the film 'Last Night as I lay dreaming' tonight in Melbourne, Australia! |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: ollaimh Date: 18 Dec 10 - 02:45 PM reading several versions of the lyrics i wonder if "the scartborough settlers lament " was based on spancil hill? i was recently in skrene ireland near navan. so does any one know where the verdant braes of skrene are? near navan or as i thought on the west coast of scotland? |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,Sigve R. Leland Date: 21 Feb 11 - 09:09 AM This has already been pointed out in a comment on the wikipedia article, but it does not seem to have been mentioned here yet, so I will. In short, the story as presented here does not add up. Looking at the 1901 Census of Ireland, there is a Mary MacNamara living in Spancilhill who by her given age must have been born in 1865. There is also a John Considine (well, four of them, actually, but this seems to be the only real candidate), son of Kate Considine who by his given age must have been born in 1875 or 1876. Assuming these are the right people, which seems likely, the claim that Michael Considine was born in 1850 and died in 1873 makes no sense. Mary would have been only 5 when Michael left (when he was supposedly 20) and John would not even have been born when Michael died. Now, I noticed that when Mr. McGrath originally posted the full lyrics of the song, Michael Considine's year of birth was given as 1859, although this was later corrected to 1850. If 1859 should turn out to be the real year of birth, however, the other information would seem to add up. Assuming Michael still left for the US at age 20 and died at age 23, Mary would only have been 5 years younger, which gives an age of about 15 when Michael left and John would in fact be six years old when he received the poem, rather than being not yet even conceived. Does this make any sense, or is there some other explanation I've missed? |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: MartinRyan Date: 21 Feb 11 - 09:44 AM GUESTSigve My recollection is that it is/was possible to trace the names through the online parish records - which will give better date info than the one-off census. Not sure if they're still online - I'll check whan I have a chance. Regards |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,Susanna in California Date: 02 Mar 11 - 01:44 AM Does anyone have any idea what part of California? If we could pin down the dates, it would be a good idea to look at the census records from here if they are available. Was he buried in California? Wonder if the immigration attorney with the same name in Sacramento is any relation? His family is from the Ennis area or so I'm told. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Brakn Date: 02 Mar 11 - 03:08 AM If you take a look at the 1901 Census you will find spinster Mary MacNamara(36), Patrick Quigley(Tailor) and others. Look at 1901 Census of Clare, District Electoral Division: Spancelhill Townland: Muckinish. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: harmonic miner Date: 02 Mar 11 - 05:37 AM We were playing this song once in a pub (we sing it almost every week) and a local wag, who was not making much sense, said 'Oh yes, it's tomomorrow'. By a strange coincidence, he was right. I looked at my watch and indeed it was the 22nd of June. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: harmonic miner Date: 02 Mar 11 - 05:52 AM Well, close! in the song "it was on the 23rd of June, the day before the fair" so the fair is on the 24th I assume. Where can we get the difintive lyrics, as written by Mr Considne? It is typical of 'Traditional Irish Ballads' though, as it is attributed to a known author (whereas Tradtional normally means no known author), and it was written outside of Ireland |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,Desi C Date: 02 Mar 11 - 08:41 AM I think several have already given the Answer, it's in County Clare on the road between Ennis & Tulla |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,John Condon Date: 25 Jul 11 - 08:51 AM Are you planning on attending the July singing session on Friday, 5th July, George? |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,shannon Date: 17 Mar 12 - 07:42 PM I am intrigued by these posts, as I have always been intrigued to the lyrics of this song. The only records I have been able to find of my Irish ancestors show that their surname was Quigley and that they resided in "Clooney Parish"..... |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST Date: 21 Apr 12 - 01:30 AM fantastic forum, my father sang original song but died in '98 RIP wish I had asked him where he had learned it from as the popular versions were much shorter, he sang in that sweet connemara brouge with whispering "S's" if that makes sense. Shed a tear each time I hear Spancil hill, sometimes on the inside but of late I don't care who sees a grown man cry. I write from Melbourne city many miles ,,,,,,,,, |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,Peadar (formerly) of Portsmouth Date: 14 Dec 12 - 11:57 AM Sad news on the passing yesterday of Robbie McMahon, who kept and protected this treasure of a song. May Michael Considine greet him at the gate. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: ChanteyLass Date: 14 Dec 12 - 08:53 PM Yes, that is indeed sad news. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Jim Carroll Date: 18 Apr 14 - 08:36 AM Don't know whether any of this was mentioned in the aforementioned article, but I've just written a note to a version of the song which will be put up on Clare County Library website in the next few months, along with another 400-odd songs we've recorded in Clare over the last 40 years. The Library staff are making wonderful job of the song-site - looking forward to it being finished. Jim Carroll Spancil Hill Michael 'Straighty' Flanagan Note to Maureen – the song documented under this title in the Roud Index is in fact a version of 'Sullivan John', not 'Spancil Hill' which doesn't have a Roud number. The composer of this song was Michael Considine from Spancilhill, who was born around 1850 and emigrated to the USA at around 1870. Considine went with the intention of bringing his sweetheart over and for them to be married when he had made enough money for the passage. She was Mary MacNamara, known as 'Matt the ranger's daughter'; the ranger's house was within sight from the Considine home as was the tailor Quigley's, mentioned in the song. At the age of 23, he began to suffer ill health, and after some time, realising he hadn't long to live, he wrote the poem Spancilhill, to be sent home in remembrance of his love, It was kept safe by his six-year old nephew, John Considine. It is said that Michael Considine died sometime in 1873 and may have been buried in the Spancilhill graveyard, though these dates are disputed, not least because Mary MacNamara (usually referred to as "Matt, the Ranger's daughter, but in Straighty's version, "Nell, the farmer's daughter), who is said to have remained faithful to his memory and never married, would only have been 8 years old when Michael died. The story goes that, in the late 1930s or early '40s, Robbie McMahon announced he was going to sing Spancilhill, when the woman of the house, Moira Keane, a relative of Michael Considine, handed Robbie McMahon the original text of the song saying "If ye are going to sing that song ye might as well sing it right." This text was confirmed some time later, around 1953, at another session, when Robbie was asked to sing it and a local, man first resisted him, saying: "Don't sing that song." When asked why not, the old man replied "because ye don't know it". Robbie sang the song anyway using the version given to him by Moira Keane. As he got into the song, he noticed the old man paying more attention, fiddling with his cap and looking a little flustered. When the song was finished the old man asked: "Where did you get that song?" McMahon told him and the old man seemed both perturbed and pleased at the same time. The old man was John Considine, the nephew of the songs' composer. John was 76 at that time and had kept his uncle's song safe for 70 years. He gave his approval to Robbie's performance after hearing that he had sung the original version. 'Straighty's' air is different to the one usually associated with the song, suggesting that he learned it from print rather than from another singer; he uses the same one for several of his songs. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: The Sandman Date: 18 Apr 14 - 05:09 PM anyone know who wrote welcoming paddy home?. jim,in all the versions i have heard she is normally referred to as mac the rangers daughter not matt, which makes sense as well. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,George Henderson Date: 18 Apr 14 - 11:54 PM Jim, You should read all the related threads on this site. Frnk McGrath did a huge amount of research on this song and located the original author's home, Mac the Ranger's home, They could not identify the well nor the related apple tree. Frank was fairly certain of the location of Michael's grave in the States but did not visit. Pat Kiddy, Spancil Hill resident, has all of the details. Also Robbie's widow, Maura, ha full details. Robbie's First Friday, the singing session he set up, is still going. Organizer is John Condone. I go down to it most months from Bray. Spacil Hill is sung at the end of the session as Robbie sang it, in his memory. You should pay a visit. Robbie was a great friend so sadly missed. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: Jim Carroll Date: 19 Apr 14 - 03:58 AM Thanks George. All these songs come alive when you start following them up. I've just annotated nearly 500 songs in preparation for making them available on the Clare County Library web-site - in some cases, the problem has been that there is far too much information on many of them to use - songs like Spancil Hill are a good example of such. One of the neglected traditions has been local songs that have been made by local people to comment on local events and features. I've managed to pin-point nearly 100 songs made in this area of West Clare that haven't passed into the national repertoire- we're hoping that a local-history group will agree to co-operate in publishing them as a fund-raiser for their activities. Spancil Hill is an example of one of the exceptions that has slipped te net and become more widely known. Best Jim Carroll |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,George Henderson Date: 20 Apr 14 - 04:44 PM Sounds like good work Jim. Just re read my post. Please note Pat Liddy (not Kiddy). My tablet keeps trying to correct my spelling and did not recognize Liddy. Mick Scanlan has just launched his book of his own songs which are about local events, some humorous and a few with more serious overtones. Meanderings of an idle mind. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: MartinRyan Date: 09 Oct 14 - 11:25 AM The Goilin Song Project resource at the Irish Traditonal Music Archive, now has a live recording of Robbie singing Spancil Hill made in the early '90's. Click here Regards |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,Dan Diver of Canada Date: 16 Apr 15 - 06:21 PM Hi all, My name is Dan Diver and I live in Canada. My dad was born in Belfast but unfortunately never made it back before passing. While I was on vacating this month I met a fantastic couple John and Marcella MacDonald in Cuba on their honeymoon. My fiancee (whose relatives are also from Ireland)and I told them of our plans to travel to Ireland for our honeymoon in the near future and we asked about songs to sing while in the pubs. The first one they told us about was "Spancilhill". After searching I was brought to this site and found the original lyrics. It is a beautiful song. I've taken the time to record it and tried to keep as close to the original lyrics as possible without making the song too long. The link below will bring you to it. I hope I do it justice. Thanks Dan https://soundcloud.com/danwhalen/spancilhill |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,Dan Diver of Canada Date: 16 Apr 15 - 06:43 PM Sorry, you probably guessed but that couple we met was from Northern Ireland. Kind of important to the story. Thanks. Dan |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,John Condon Date: 28 Apr 15 - 09:54 AM Robbie's First Friday singing session is on Friday next, May 1st. First song 9.45pm. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST,Benjie Hallihan Date: 11 Jun 15 - 02:24 PM Many thanks for the story behind the song. It really brings it to life and must be one of many heart-breaking stories of lovers parted by poverty with dreams of getting back together.... i'll light a candle tonight for Mick and Matt the Rangers Daughter.... maybe in a new Spancil Hill tonight he really bends to kiss her and she's there. |
|
Subject: RE: Where is Spancil Hill? From: GUEST Date: 07 Sep 15 - 12:59 PM There are so many reasons why that version you say is original, could never have been written by an irish person........very very clearly an interpretation by someone who may love Ireland but doesn't understand the nuances of our culture |
| Share Thread: |
