To Thread - Forum Home

The Mudcat Café TM
https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=84745
29 messages

Origins: Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly)

18 Sep 05 - 01:30 PM (#1566084)
Subject: Origins: Cliffs of Moher by Dermot Kelly
From: Stewart

This song came up in an earlier thread and was posted here. It's a nice song which I learned from a recording by Curtis and Loretta on their CD "Gone Forever". Dermot Kelly is listed as the author, but I have no idea who he is or where he lives or how the song came about. When I asked Loretta, this was her reply:

"So, here's the scoop on 'Cliffs of Moher.' We learned it from a cassette tape of a woman singing and playing harp. We learned it for a wedding, and the bride had bought this tape from a woman playing and singing harp, on the Cliffs of Moher! I made a copy of the tape, or at least the song, and of course now, I'm not sure where it is. If I can find it, I'll let you know what the singer's name is!!   Because of that cassette tape, we knew the song was written by Dermot Kelly. So when we decided to record it, we searched on the internet, and couldn't find ANYTHING about him! I seem to remember we did find a reference to a college professor somewhere with the same name, but we didn't think that was him. Couldn't find out anything at all. You know, there is a fiddle tune (instrumental) by the same name. But it doesn't sound at all like this song. We would like to find out about him though. If you find out anything, let us know! "

So I'd like to know, and Curtis and Loretta would also. Anybody know about Dermot Kelly or has heard the song sung by other than Curtis and Loretta?

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Thread #71657   Message #1257431
Posted By: artbrooks
16-Jul-04 - 05:42 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Req: Skarpi needs a little help with a lyric.
Subject: Lyr Add: THE CLIFFS OF MOHER

How about this one?

THE CLIFFS OF MOHER   
Lyrics & music by Dermot Kelly         

I'm sitting on the cliffs of Moher
Looking out to sea
The broad Atlantic swells below me
A bridge love between you and me
The puffins cry above the tide
The seagulls glide through the air
Calling you back from New York City
Back home to the county of Clare

CHORUS:
Come back, come back sweet Annie
Come back for I will be there
We'll sing and we'll play
In the old-fashioned way
On the hillside of sweet County Clare
I'll hold your hand, we'll walk through the Burren
With limestone and flowers so rare
The yellows and reds, the gold in their petals
Will match your blue eyes and fair hair
We'll visit Quinn Abbey and Fein Cill Sula
Where holy ones once knelt in prayer
But how can this be, if you stay away darling
From your home in the county of Clare?

CHORUS   

I'm looking across at the great Aran islands
Inis Mean, Inis Mor, Inis Oirr
They've nestled there neatly caressed by the ocean
Surrounded by water so clear
But you have the smoke and the dust of the city
Where people pass by and don't care
There's love and there's welcome as warm as the sunshine
For you in the county of Clare

19 Sep 05 - 11:53 AM (#1566686)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher by Dermot Kelly
From: Stewart

Anybody?

Refresh

19 Sep 05 - 12:13 PM (#1566699)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher by Dermot Kelly
From: JennyO

I've been to the cliffs of Moher (about 4 years ago) and seen a woman singing and playing her harp. I suspect it might have been the same woman. My partner at the time who was with me bought a CD from her. If I can bring myself to make contact, I'll ask if I can borrow the CD, or at least find out what her name was.

20 Sep 05 - 12:23 PM (#1566885)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher by Dermot Kelly
From: Stewart

refresh

30 Oct 06 - 09:14 AM (#1872149)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher by Dermot Kelly
From: GUEST,Nigel Benson

The woman who sings and plays the harp on the Cliffs of Moher is Tina Morrissey. She recorded the song "Cliffs of Moher" by Dermot Kelly under her maiden name of Tina Mulrooney on her first CD "A Memory of Ireland". Details about her are on her website www.tinamorrissey.com Her latest CD "Tina" can be ordered from that website. She lives in Quilty, Co. Clare.

According to Tina (who I spoke to a week ago) Dermot Kelly now lives in Liscannor, near the Cliffs.

There is also the song "On the Cliffs of Moher" that I wrote.

30 Oct 06 - 09:28 AM (#1872156)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher by Dermot Kelly
From: GUEST,Nigel Benson

Dermot Kelly is also known in Clare for his other locally popular song "Joseph McHugh", as detailed below:

"Famed in song the legendry Joseph McHugh Pub is located in the village of Liscannor, Co. Clare, on Ireland's western Atlantic seaboard. On route to the world famous Cliffs of Moher the pub has for many decades provided a wonderful and enjoyable meeting place for local people and tourists.

"The bar gets it's name from it's now deceased but famed proprietor Joseph McHugh. He was renowned for his canny and witty personality and during his time the bar also served as a shop. The old bar area has been tastefully preserved to remind people of his time. The legend of Joseph McHugh has been captured in song and music and here's a verse to get you in tune:

"Come all ye young fellows who travel the land
In search of the craic with guitar in your hand
Go down to Liscannor in the county of Clare
You'll find a pub in it thats ever so rare
Go into McHugh's at the centre of town
You'll get a warm welcome from Joe 'talk it down'
The one legged canary will sing how yado
In the seven day licence of Joseph McHugh"

Words and music by Dermot Kelly ©

SOURCE:
http://www.joemchughs.ie/

30 Oct 06 - 09:49 AM (#1872175)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher by Dermot Kelly
From: MartinRyan

The air for Joseph McHugh is that used for the "Humours of Whiskey" (Stick to the craytur), amonsgst others.

Regards

30 Oct 06 - 12:30 PM (#1872299)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher by Dermot Kelly
From: GUEST

Quickie
The buskers at The Cliffs of Moher are being told they have to audition for a place there come the new visitors centre.
The late Joe McHugh was a publican in Liscannor with a whole folklore connected with his quick wit.
I remember him coming out into the car park at closing time one summer evening and saying, "would you all come inside, we're closing".
Jim Carroll

30 Oct 06 - 12:59 PM (#1872323)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher by Dermot Kelly
From: Stewart

Nigel, what a pleasant surprise to finally learn about Dermot and Tina and this song. I do recall on my first visit to the Cliffs in 2001 seeing a woman playing harp there, so it must have been Tina. I still enjoy singing this song as it brings back memories of my visits to Co. Clare, the Cliffs, the Burren, the Aran Islands and more. Thanks.

And Martin, good to hear from you again. I still enjoy listening to your Rosecommon Song Circle CD.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

30 Oct 06 - 02:09 PM (#1872370)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher by Dermot Kelly
From: MartinRyan

Hi Stewart - just back from a visit to the Roscommon Song Circle festival - still going strong!

Regards

08 May 08 - 05:18 PM (#2336058)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher by Dermot Kelly
From: GUEST,Dermot Kelly

By pure chance I came across some e/mails about myself

and The Cliffs of Moher and the Publican Joseph McHugh.I am the author and have written and produced many more songs mostly comical. I do have a C/d which contains 18 compositions including the above compositions. I am a former Manager of The Bankof Ireland and am presently publishing a production Prose Poems and ParodieS MY E/MAIL ADDRESSIS dnkelly@eircom.net.Ifirst recorded on cassette .and heard the Mulrooney sisters sing it on the Cliffs of Moher as youn girls. Kind . Kind RegardsDermot Kelly.

08 May 08 - 07:01 PM (#2336107)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher by Dermot Kelly
From: MartinRyan

Good to hear from you, Dermot!

Regards
p.s. Or, given the title of your forthcoming production, should I say "Are you right there, Dermot? Are you right?"!

09 May 08 - 08:43 AM (#2336457)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher by Dermot Kelly
From: GUEST,Nigel Benson

Yes, good to hear from you Dermot. I hope you didn't mind my contributions about you. I'm listening to your CD "Dermot Kelly Sings Original Compositions" (2003) as I write this. (I bought it from "The Record Rack" in Ennis.) You have a rich tenor voice and the whole CD is well produced, with plenty of variety. The liner notes are nice and easy to read, with the basic information all there. (I would have liked more information about the musicians, e.g. who played which instruments but I realise space was limited.) My favourites include "Tony's Stew" (track 9) and "Banners Flyin' Free" (track 11) and the poignant "Put More Turf On The Fire" (track 15).

And it's good when questions get answered (even if it takes some time!) and people link up - definitely the best aspects of the internet!

I laughed aloud at Jim's anecdote about McHugh's landlord asking everyone to come inside because the pub was closing. (Jim, I'm sure you could write a book of such quotations, with all your experiences of collecting songs over the years.)

Just to update Jim's "quickie" about the buskers: they each had to apply for a "Busker's Licence" in September 2006 while, at the same time, they were still being sued for trespass and told not to perform there. Tina and a few others, to their great credit, kept on playing even though they were harassed and it cost them a lot of money in solicitors' fees. (I wrote a song about it called "The Busker".) Eventually, in early 2007, just before the 33-Million-Euro Visitors' Centre was opened, the court in Ennis decided no further action would be taken against them, so long as they each signed for the official "Licence" and kept to the rules. The contract is actually identical to that used on the London Underground, with a couple of extra clauses. (I checked through it line by line.) Although the contract seems to have worked well in London for the past 5 years, there are numerous absurdities in it - especially for the Cliffs of Moher buskers. For example, they are not allowed to eat or drink while busking. (I suggested they should have notices in front of them on their "pitches", saying to the public: "Please don't feed the buskers". Actually, Tina told me once an old lady offered her a slice of bread.) There were no actual auditions in the end, even though the buskers agreed to them, but each had a half-hour interview with the two managers - Ger Dollard and Katherine Webster. 15 licenses were issued. As a Busker License holder myself I am not allowed to make any derogatory comments about the Cliffs of Moher "brand" or "management".

I'll post this now before my pathetic BT/Eircom dial-up link fails again. (Still no broadband here.)

Nigel

15 May 08 - 06:34 PM (#2341752)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher by Dermot Kelly
From: GUEST

22 Jul 09 - 11:58 AM (#2685320)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly)
From: Desert Dancer

Thanks for reviving this thread, Mr. Spammer. I was just thinking about the Cliffs of Moher (the real ones, and the jig) yesterday, having noticed them in the credits for Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince. They feature toward the end of the movie. Here's an article from the Clare Herald.

Does Dermot Kelly's song have relation to the jig tune?

~ Becky in Tucson

22 Jul 09 - 12:12 PM (#2685333)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly)
From: GUEST,Peter Laban

The song is not related to the jig, which by the way (useless bit of trivia) appeared in O'Neill's 'Waifs and Strays of Irish Music' as 'The Last of the Lot'.

The Cliffs also made the shortlist of 'Wonders of the Natural World'. Which still doesn't justify the €8 parking fee charged if you want to visit them through the official entrance.

13 Feb 10 - 03:40 PM (#2838388)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly)
From: GUEST,Gary Mchugh

Ive enjoyed reading this,as joe mchugh was my grandads brother,Walter Mchugh.

13 Feb 10 - 04:06 PM (#2838411)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly)
From: Jim Carroll

Joe McHugh was legendary for his quick sense of humour.
An American visitor complained about there being no lock on the door of the gents lavatory,
"You know", he said, "we've never had anything stolen from there since I took over this pub".
Another time a crowd of tourists were sitting outside in front of the pub when a seagull flew over and deposited a package on the head of one of them. He went into the pub, told Joe what had happened and asked for a piece of toilet paper.
"I wouldn't bother trying to wipe that feller's arse", he said, "he's probably over the Cliffs by now".
Jim Carroll

24 Feb 10 - 03:37 PM (#2849090)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly)
From: GUEST,Guest Rebelier

Dermot forgot to tell ye that he clocked up 1-12 in the 1955 Munster hurling final, where his native Limerick - a team known as Mackey's greyhounds, thanks to being trained by the legendary Mick M - defeated Clare on a scoreline of 2-16 to 3-6. This was in the days when pointscoring at the ancient game was nowhere near as high as now in standard, so fair play to him for that.

But Limerick's gallop was halted by eventual All-Ireland Champions, Wexford, who beat them in the semi-final, by 2-12 to 2-3. It was unfortunate that the Munster and Leinster champions had to meet in the penultimate round, as they would have made a grand final.

In 1981, Dermot released a 4-track ep on vinyl, featuring John Reilly; Christy Ring; Joseph McHugh; and Sweet Maggie. I didn't know about the cd until now, so would be interested in obtaining a copy.

I also know that he made a record for the Limerick hurlers prior to their last All-Ireland title victory in 1973, titled Shout Bos Huray.

Regards,

johnlynch7@eircom.net

08 Mar 11 - 04:53 PM (#3109924)
Subject: I miss playing at the cliffs
From: GUEST,Cyneburhleah

I was a busker there for about 5 years. We all had our places and that was decided amongst ourselves who sat where. Some put up a fight when the council started threatening us. I decided to go elsewhere with my music. I remember once I brought a tiny guitar amp up with me and it was a life saver for me. The wind there just took my sound as soon as it came out of my mouth, and threw the sound far away from me. People couldnt hear me sometimes cause of the wind. I remember someone from the visitor center came up and confronted me and said "Youll need to stop using that sound system, youre destroying the wildlife here".
I thought it was ironic back then that she would think music destroyed the wildlife. And now it more ironic, since they bulldozed half the hillside up.

Havnt been back there since. I think it would break my heart too much to see the end result of their "upgrades"

09 Mar 11 - 08:33 AM (#3110293)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly)
From: Rusty Dobro

Steer clear of the visitors' centre and its car park charges. Head instead for Doolin, and walk up the hill on the coast road until a footpath leads off along the cliff-tops to the right.

After your visit, head back down to Gus O'Donnell's pub for the music and craic.

09 Mar 11 - 08:42 AM (#3110297)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly)
From: GUEST,Peter Laban

And failing to find that, head for Gus O Connor's

22 Aug 11 - 10:08 PM (#3211201)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly)
From: GUEST,Stuart Martz

Dermot Kelly and his family were great friends of mine back in the day. He did write these.
He was a bank manager in Limerick and had a summer place in Lahinch, right next to Liscannor where mchughs is located

30 Aug 14 - 05:24 PM (#3655355)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly)
From: GUEST,Colm Kelly

Hi there! My Dad is still recording ballads. Check out his you tube Channel http://m.youtube.com/user/dermotkellymusic
Cheers,
Colm Kelly

17 Dec 19 - 03:29 PM (#4024268)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly)
From: GUEST,Mike Ladd

I frequent Mudcat but for some reason don't recall coming across this thread before now. On a visit from the States to the Cliffs, maybe 2003, I encountered singer/harpist Tina Mulrooney and I was stopped dead by a beautiful waltz she was playing. Upon finishing I asked her the name and she said "It's called The Cliffs of Moher, written by Dermot Kelly who lives right down the road". I reworked it myself and performed it for some years eventually recording it with my band Blackstone Cúil on our first album. I did try to contact Tina prior to the recording to get more info but to no reply. I'm so glad to read of other stories about Dermot, Tina, and this beautiful song. Thanks!

18 Dec 19 - 08:47 AM (#4024381)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly)
From: GUEST,Starship

Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly) is available on YouTube if anyone's interested.

18 Dec 19 - 08:47 AM (#4024382)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly)
From: GUEST,Starship

Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly) is available on YouTube if anyone's interested.

18 Dec 19 - 08:51 AM (#4024383)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly)
From: Jack Campin

The song is not related to the jig, which by the way (useless bit of trivia) appeared in O'Neill's 'Waifs and Strays of Irish Music' as 'The Last of the Lot'.

What does that title mean?

With those huge swoops, it's such a brilliant evocation of a cliffscape it's hard to imagine any other connotations.

18 Dec 19 - 09:02 AM (#4024385)
Subject: RE: Origins: Cliffs of Moher (Dermot Kelly)
From: GUEST,Peter Laban

O'Neill uses 'Cliffs of Moher' in DMI (#121). The version in W&S has the configuration most old players used to have: the low part first, a practice that has become reversed and probably helps to evoke the scaling heights of the Cliffs.

O'Neill doesn't supply an explanation for the title but I image he had no name for the tune (or failed to connect it to the tune in his earlier collection, which was given in G although obviously the same melody) and named it for the last of a batch of material to transcribe for the day. I don't think there's much more to it than that.