The Boys of Barr na Sráide
Encyclopedia
"The Boys of Barr na Sráide" is a well-known Irish song
from a poem written by Irish
poet Sigerson Clifford
(1913–1985). It is named after a street in Cahersiveen in County Kerry
, Ireland
. Clifford was born in Cork city, though both his parents came from Kerry.
The song was first published in Ballads of a Bogman, 2nd edition, in 1986. However, it was well-known long before the book was published, though it did not appear in the first edition (1955).
The poem recalls the life of the author's boyhood friends starting from when they were young children through to the Black and Tan
period, and up to Civil War
. The poem speaks of the Irish tradition of "hunting for the wran" (wren
), a small bird, on St. Stephen's Day
, 26 December.
The song was first aired on Irish radio
by singer Seán Ó Síocháin
on a programme called The Balladmakers Saturday Night in the 1950s. Ó Siocháin got to know Clifford through their work on the programme. The song was requested many times and became the most popular song of the series. It has since been recorded by numerous traditional and folk singers. Christy Moore
popularised it in the 1970s and later it was recorded by Seán Garvey and Tim Dennehy, both from Cahersiveen.
Music of Ireland
Irish Music is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres on the island of Ireland.The indigenous music of the island is termed Irish traditional music. It has remained vibrant through the 20th, and into the 21st century, despite globalizing cultural forces...
from a poem written by Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
poet Sigerson Clifford
Sigerson Clifford
Sigerson Clifford was an Irish poet, playwright and civil servant.Clifford was born at #11 Dean St, Cork City, and was christened Edward Bernard Clifford. His parents, Michael Clifford and Mary Anne Sigerson, were from County Kerry, and they returned there in the following year, to Cahersiveen,...
(1913–1985). It is named after a street in Cahersiveen in County Kerry
County Kerry
Kerry means the "people of Ciar" which was the name of the pre-Gaelic tribe who lived in part of the present county. The legendary founder of the tribe was Ciar, son of Fergus mac Róich. In Old Irish "Ciar" meant black or dark brown, and the word continues in use in modern Irish as an adjective...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Clifford was born in Cork city, though both his parents came from Kerry.
The song was first published in Ballads of a Bogman, 2nd edition, in 1986. However, it was well-known long before the book was published, though it did not appear in the first edition (1955).
The poem recalls the life of the author's boyhood friends starting from when they were young children through to the Black and Tan
Black and Tans
The Black and Tans was one of two newly recruited bodies, composed largely of British World War I veterans, employed by the Royal Irish Constabulary as Temporary Constables from 1920 to 1921 to suppress revolution in Ireland...
period, and up to Civil War
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
. The poem speaks of the Irish tradition of "hunting for the wran" (wren
Wren
The wrens are passerine birds in the mainly New World family Troglodytidae. There are approximately 80 species of true wrens in approximately 20 genera....
), a small bird, on St. Stephen's Day
St. Stephen's Day
St. Stephen's Day, or the Feast of St. Stephen, is a Christian saint's day celebrated on 26 December in the Western Church and 27 December in the Eastern Church. Many Eastern Orthodox churches adhere to the Julian calendar and mark St. Stephen's Day on 27 December according to that calendar, which...
, 26 December.
The song was first aired on Irish radio
RTÉ Radio
RTÉ Radio is a department of Irish national broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann. RTÉ Radio broadcasts four analogue channels and five digital channels....
by singer Seán Ó Síocháin
Seán Ó Síocháin
Seán Ó Síocháin was an Irish footballer, hurler and ballad-singer who became General-Secretary of the GAA.-Life:...
on a programme called The Balladmakers Saturday Night in the 1950s. Ó Siocháin got to know Clifford through their work on the programme. The song was requested many times and became the most popular song of the series. It has since been recorded by numerous traditional and folk singers. Christy Moore
Christy Moore
Christopher Andrew "Christy" Moore is a popular Irish folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is well known as one of the founding members of Planxty and Moving Hearts...
popularised it in the 1970s and later it was recorded by Seán Garvey and Tim Dennehy, both from Cahersiveen.
Recordings
- Tim Dennehy: Between the Mountains and the Sea (Sceilig Records SRCD 003) 2003
- ArcadyArcadyARCADY is the acronym for . This software, produced by the Transport Research Laboratory , provides information on traffic flow including modelling capacity queues and delays at roundabouts...
: Many Happy Returns
- Christy Moore: Live in Dublin (1978)
- Niamh ParsonsNiamh ParsonsNiamh Parsons is a singer of contemporary and traditional Irish music.Early in her career Parsons sang with folk musician Jon Hicks on his album Chasing the Bear. Joining her husband Dee with his band the Loose Connections in 1990, Parsons released two CDs with this band...
: Live at Fylde
- Pauline ScanlonPauline ScanlonPauline Scanlon is a singer of contemporary and traditional Irish music.Dingle is in the Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht, which is an area where the population's first language is Irish. Scanlon has been singing professionally since she was 15 years old...
: Red Colour Sun (2004)
- White Raven: The place where life began (2005)