Origins: Finola The Gem of the Roe

Subject: Origins: Finola The Gem of the Roe
From: GUEST,Lughaidh
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 10:44 AM

Just a word to let you know that this song is in fact Finvola... The name Finvola is peculiar to north County Derry where the river Roe rises. It is probably a corruption of Finuala Fionnghuala etc. but it is definitly pronounced with a V in the area.

Subject: RE: FinvolaThe Gem of the Roe
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 05:39 PM

what Lughaidh doesn't make clear is that this thread is meant to correct a song incorrectly titled in the DT (Digital Tradition on Mudcat)

Subject: RE: Origins: Finola The Gem of the Roe
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jan 04 - 08:47 PM

In his book 'The McDonnell & the Norman De Borgos', Archibald McSparran tells the story of the marriage of Finvola of the O'Cahans to Angus McDonnell, son of the Lord of the Isles His account is possibly from old stories, or even wholly made up, as Rev. George Hill in his 'McDonnells of Antrim' gives the lady's name as Áine, or perhaps Margaret, and states that she outlived her husband by several years and came back to Ireland as a widow.