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Old Ardboe

from Rud Nach L​é​ir by Lí Ban

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about

Aoibheann’s great aunt and Ríoghnach’s great-great aunt Rosie Hurl, née Coney, was recorded singing this song at the age of about 70 some time in the 1960s. She had learned it from her mother, Mary Quinn, and had been singing it since she was a child. Her brother Jody Coney (‘Daddy Pat’) can be heard in the background singing along towards the end of the song, so obviously this was a family song. They were from an eel fishing family and Jody made the Lough Neagh fishing boats. It seems from the words of the song, which differ somewhat from the usual versions sung by Geordie Hanna or in collections - Sean Ó Boyle, Cathal McConnell, Len Graham, to name a few - that Rosie’s version is the older, and what’s more it is the only version we know of where the author travels “the length and the breadth of Erin”, mentioning the rivers Dee and Roe as he goes. Suffice to say it is very special to us that we have this recording of a moment in time - our personal link with our musical past. We have to thank Máiréad McGeown for unearthing the cassette containing this very special family recording from her mother Colette’s treasured belongings. Colette was Rosie’s daughter and sadly died in June 2017. Ar dheis Dé go raibh sí. Thank you also to Bernadette Christie nee Hurl who helped us find the song on the cassette and Rose Corr nee Hurl who continued to sing her mother’s songs.

lyrics

Old Ardboe

Ye God's assist my fond weary notion
Inspired muses lend me your hand
Direct my quill without a blot or blemish
To write the praises of this lovely strand
It’s well situated in the north of Ireland
All in the county of sweet Tyrone
And on the banks of you sweet Lough Neagh
Stands this ancient fabric called old Ardboe


In the summer season for recreation,
I carelessly strayed along that strand
Where Boreas’ breezes were gently blowing,
along the shore where that fabric stands
Where I stood amazed to view that curious harbour,
where purling streams they flow to and fro
And fishes sporting both evening and morning
which yields more pleasure to you sweet Ardboe


I have travelled France and I have travelled Flanders
And all the courses along that line
My way I took down by the Egyptians
I have travelled on by the River Rhine
I have travelled the length and the breadth of Erin
To the banks of the Dee and the River Roe
And in all my raking and undertaking
I've found none to equal you sweet Ardboe

credits

from Rud Nach L​é​ir, released November 9, 2022
Vocals - Rosie Hurl
Fiddle - Aoibheann Devlin

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Lí Ban

Remembering old and creating new aspects of traditions from Lough Neagh and the Bann in the ancient province of Ulster in Ireland. Ríoghnach Connolly collaborates with family; aunts, uncles and cousins coming together to make this unique album.

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