Origins: Master McGrath

Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 30 Jun 09 - 05:18 PM

Here's a fine version by Sean O`Se with the tune I've always sung it to.

Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath
From: ard mhacha
Date: 01 Jul 09 - 10:25 AM

Thanks McGrath, that is my You Tube Site, the trainer John Walsh is included in the photo.
Walsh was from the Lurgan area from the townland of Ballinery.
David Hammonds version on the same lorgain2 Site is the version which was always sung in the Lurgan area.

Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath
From: GUEST,blackicerose
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 12:00 PM

Hi McGrath of Harlow,

My grandfather used to talk about the greyhound being named after one of his grandmother's brothers, we have never researched it to see if it is true. I would be interested to know your great-grandfather's name to see if they are from the same family. My gr gr grandmother was Margaret Anne McGrath.


"My father used to say the boy the master was called after was my great-grandfather. I've never investigated whether that was true or not, perhaps in case it's not."

Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath ..lost light athlone
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Nov 10 - 11:23 AM

great to read the song about lost light.the doctor was my uncle frank
martin from connaught st. athlone.
may they all rest in peace.
brian martin

Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 01:40 PM

the same tune was a song about the hearts football team wich most friends of mine seem to sing. the tune is older than 1944 the first song was the song about villikins and his daughter Dinah.
alot of the songs were written by writers hwho were around in the 1870s and that is true.

Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath
From: GUEST,Seamus
Date: 24 Sep 15 - 09:22 AM

Master MaGrath the smallest dog in a litter of 7, born in1866 at Colligan Lodge, Co Waterford. He won the Waterloo Cup on three occasions, 1868, 1869 and 1871 and was the first greyhound to do so. He became such a celebrity that his owner, Lord Lurgan, was asked to take him to be seen by Queen Victoria and the Royal Family. His success enabled his owner to build a terrace of houses in Walthamstow from Master McGrath's winnings. These houses now form part of Shernhall Street, but are still clearly marked at one end of the terrace as "Master McGrath Terrace".
The statue to Master McGrath in Lurgan town, and the song...........https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-sIwOyaZwM

Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath
From: GUEST,Peter hulme
Date: 17 Sep 17 - 06:26 AM

I love this tune.My favouriterendition is by the Dubliners.At the beginning of the recording there'sa beautiful haunting bit of tin whistle music which seems to my novice ears to be different from the song.Does anybody know what this tune is called.

Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath
From: Thompson
Date: 17 Sep 17 - 06:43 PM

The tin whistle tune isn't The Lonesome Boatman, is it?

Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath
From: Murpholly
Date: 18 Sep 17 - 05:22 AM

We recently had to take a cat to the vet and she came from Lurgan! She said they still have an annual festival to Master McGrath. It's great that they still celebrate this wonderful dog/

Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 18 Sep 17 - 05:34 PM

Forgive me if somebody said this already, but in Ireland McGrath is pronounced m'GRAH. That explains the rhymes.

Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Sep 19 - 10:20 AM

My great grandfather from Kilgobinet, Dungarvan. as a boy, would help the slipper exercise the dog and they named him Master 'McGrath' after him.

My grandparents actually had the sash that Master McGrath won in the Waterloo Cup but this was given to members of Lurgan's family in the last century.

There is still a statue of Master McGrath just outside Dungarvan.

Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath
From: beachcomber
Date: 04 Sep 19 - 01:00 PM

There is indeed guest. It was relocated, slightly, some years ago due to roadworks on a very dangerous junction and, naturally, there is a pub close to the monument. The monument itself has a few details about "McGrath" (a very prominent family name in the West County Waterford area) and a sculpted relief of the great dog himself.

Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath
From: Mrrzy
Date: 04 Sep 19 - 02:18 PM

I have this twice, once to the tune of Old Orange Flute / Sweet Betsy from Pike, and once to a totally other tune. Not sure but I think both are Clancies. Ideas on the other tune?

Subject: RE: Origins: Master McGrath
From: GUEST,Mr McGrath
Date: 04 Sep 19 - 08:07 PM

Here's the late Davy Hammond singing that very song (this time in a major key) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibkNw3Y58pc.