CD Received

Together For Christmas: A Contemporary Celtic Christmas Collection by Various Artists (2012)
Genre: Celtic Folk
When did we receive it? 30 November 2012

First of all, we would like to thank Anita Daly of Daly Communications for sending us this Christmas CD for possible airplay on 'Proud to be Irish'. This CD features Christmas songs by such eminent Irish artists as The Elders, The High Kings, John Munnelly, Cherish the Ladies, Kyf Brewer, Emma Kate Tobia, The Celtic Tenors, Damien Dempsey, and many, many more. Once again, many thanks to Anita for sending us this CD and we look forward to listening to it in the very near future.

Please keep an eye on our newly reinstated playlists as we may be playing some cuts from this CD on future programs.

Mareena's 'Pick of the Week'

25. Rob Roy: O'Sullivan's March by The Chieftains - Film Cuts (1996)

Donal O'Sullivan

Why did I choose this song? The 'O'Sullivan' in O'Sullivan's March was Donal Cam O'Sullivan Beare (1561-1618). He was the last independent ruler of the O'Sullivan Beara sept, and thus the last O'Sullivan Beara - a Gaelic princely title.

Donal's father was killed in 1563, but his son was considered too young to inherit the title at the time of the chief's death. Instead, the clan's leadership passed to the chief's surviving brother, Owen. In 1587, Donal asserted his own claim to the clan's leadership. Eager to extend English legal authority over Ireland, the Dublin commission that had confirmed Owen's leadership - who had been knighted by Elizabeth I in order to claim his leadership at the time - accepted Donal's claim, and he now became O'Sullivan Beare

In the lead up to the Nine Years' War (1594-1603) - also known as Tyrone's Rebellion - Donal O'Sullivan initially kept his distance from the rebel cause. In time, Donal joined a confederation of Gaelic chiefs led by Hugh O'Neill, Earl of Tyrone and Hugh Roe O'Donnell. In 1603, Dunboy Castle, the stronghold of the O'Sullivans, fell after a vicious 13-day siege. The entire company of defenders was either killed in battle or executed.

Donal O'Sullivan was absent during the siege, having traveled north to conference with Hugh O'Neill. The Earl of Tyrone's letter to Philip II of Spain left him with little hope of a pardon from the English, and he continued his fight with guerilla tactics. Donal O'Sullivan was eventually forced to gather up his remaining followers, including women and children, and set off on a 250-mile march to the north.

The grueling two-week march was the most poignant in Irish history and was marked by incredible suffering as the fleeing, starving O'Sullivans sought food from an already decimated Irish countryside in winter, often resulting in hostility. On January 4, 1603, the remaining clan members - 35 out of the original 1000 - arrived at O'Rourke castle in Leitrim. Many had died along the way from hunger and exposure, and others had settled along the route.

In Leitrim, Donal O'Sullivan sought to gather forces to continue the fight, but resistance ended when Hugh O'Neill signed the Treaty of Mellifont. Donal, along with other members of the Gaelic nobility, fled and sought exile in Spain.

Playlist For 25 November 2012

1. Bodhran Beat by More Power to Your Elbow - Fingers of Fun (1996)
2. You're Welcome, One and All by Margo - Parcel of Dreams (2008)
3. The Irish Pub by The High Kings - The Irish Pub Song (2009)
4. Fairytale of New York by The Irish Tenors - Christmas (2009)
5. Clonbrogan by Joe Giltrap - The Mountains of Mourne (2000)
6. Fiddler's Green by Barleyjuice - The Morning After (2008)
7. United we Conquer by Isla Grant - Childhood Memories (2002)
8. Sunday, Bloody Sunday/I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by Phil Coulter - Recollections (1993)
9. Scottish Medley: I Love a Lassie/Roamin' in the Gloamin/A Wee Deoch and Douris/Scotland the Brave by Cahal Dunne - Shamrocks and Heather (1997)
10. The Spinning Wheel by Frank Patterson - God Bless America: An Irish Salute (2000)
11. The Holy Ground by The High Kings - Live in Ireland (2011)
12. Men of Erin by The Elders - Alive and Live in Ireland (2007)
13. The Rising of the Moon by The High Kings - Live in Ireland (2011)
14. We're Here to Drink the Whiskey by Schooner Fare - Closer to the Wind (1994)
15. Patsy Fagan by Derek Warfield - God Save Ireland (2008)
16. Lady of Knock by Deirdre Reilly - A Toast to the Irish Colleens (1999)
17. The Orangedale Whistle by The Rankin Family - Fare Thee Well Love (1992)
18. Rafferty's Motor Car by Val Doonican - The Very Best of Val Doonican (1998)
19. My Homeland by Isla Grant - Mother (2001)
20. The Parting Glass by The High Kings - The High Kings (2008)
21. The Boys of Kilmichael by Derek Warfield - The Night...is Young (2008)
22. The Mary Ellen Carter by Barleycorn - My Last Farewell (2002)
23. Pal of my Cradle Days by Ann Breen - Specially For You, Mother (2009)
24. Go Lassie Go/Dutchman by The High Kings - Live in Ireland (2011)
25. Rob Roy: O'Sullivan's March by The Chieftains - Film Cuts (1996)
26. The Rambles of Spring by Hair of the Dog - Donegal (2007)
27. Summertime is Coming/O-Ro by Aoife Clancy - Soldiers and Dreams (2001)
28. The Minstrel Boy/Let Erin Remember by Tommy Makem - Live at the Irish Pavilion (1993)
29. Sing an Irish Song by Barleycorn - My Last Farewell (2002)
30. Roll of Honour by Derek Warfield - God Save Ireland (2008)
31. Boolavogue by The High Kings - Memory Lane (2010)
32. Freeborn Man by Schooner Fare - For the Times (1993) 
33. Ballads and Blarney: The Boston Burglar/Muirsheen Durkan/Whiskey on a Sunday/Home Boys Home by Phil Coulter - The Live Experience (1996)
34. My Wild Irish Rose by Various Artists - When Irish Eyes Are Smiling (1994)
35. Kiss me I'm Irish by Gaelic Storm - Bring Yer Wellies (2006)
36. The Green Fields of France by The Fureys - The Fureys' Finest (1995)
37. Belfast Brigade by The Go-Lucky Four - Irish Capers (1967)
38. The Salt Lick by Gaelic Storm - Bring Your Wellies (2006)

CD Received

Film Cuts by The Chieftains (1996)
Genre: Irish Folk
When did we receive it? 24 November 2012

First of all, we would like to thank our good friend and a faithful listener to "Proud to be Irish" - Glenn - for sending us this CD. We had had a request for a song that we weren't sure we had in our archives at the time of the listener's request. Glenn was kind enough to send us Film Cuts by The Chieftains so we would be able to play the request on the show!

Many thanks again, Glenn! Please keep an eye on our newly reinstated playlists as we may be playing some cuts off this CD on future programs.

Mareena's 'Pick of the Week'

4. The Ghosts of Culloden by Isla Grant - Mother (2001)

Why did I choose this song? Isla Grant is an international singer/songwriter born in Wigtownshire, Scotland (which is within the county of Dumfries, Scotland). However, Isla and her family eventually settled in the Scottish Borders. Isla grew up in a musical family - her father's side of the family were highland bagpipe players, and her mother's side of the family were violin and accordian players. When she fourteen years old, Isla began singing, focusing on country music. Isla turned professional until 1992 when an horrific car accident involving herself and her husband Al, forced her to stop touring for five years. During her recuperation, Isla started composing more of her own music and released a CD of Hank Williams covers on her own record label in October of 2008.

Charles Edward Stuart - Charles III
Better known as 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' or 'The Young Pretender' 

Prince William Augustus - Duke of Cumberland
Better known as 'Butcher Cumberland'

The Ghosts of Culloden was written by Isla Grant and is about 'The Battle of Culloden', which was fought on April 16, 1746. 'The Battle of Culloden' was the final battle of the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745 and was between the forces of 'Bonnie Prince Charlie' - Charles Edward Stuart and Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland - who earned the title 'Butcher Cumberland' because of his actions during the Battle of Culloden. Even though the British did win the Battle of Culloden, the victory is not considered a battle honor.

Allegedly, on each anniversary of the Battle of Culloden - April 16 - people claim to have seen phantoms all along the moor and to hear the ghostly sounds of battle between the soldiers who can not rest in peace. While no birds sing on Culloden Moor these days, it is said that on the eve of the battle in 1746, the Jacobite commander, Lord George Murray, saw a large black bird rise from the ground in front of him, and fly away. This bird was considered a bad omen and a harbinger of doom for Lord Murray and his men. Although the black bird's apparition is seen somewhat infrequently these days, 'The Great Scree of Culloden Moor' as it is called, always heralds bad luck to people who do see it.

Playlist For 18 November 2012

1. Planxty Fanny Power/Give me Your Hand/Tabhair Dom do Lamh by The Canny Brothers Band - One Drop of Whiskey (2010)
2. Fiddle on the Wall by Isla Grant - A Dream Come True (2002)
3. Leixlip Memories by Joe Giltrap - The Soldier's Tree (1999)
4. The Ghosts of Culloden by Isla Grant - Mother (2001)
5. Conor McCormeac by Joe Giltrap - The Soldier's Tree (1999)
6. Medley: Beer Barrel Polka/Havanagila/Irish Molly-O by Dermot O'Brien - Let's Have a Party! (1985)
7. The Way Old Friends Do by Mac and O' - We're Making Memories (1997)
8. Once and For All by Boru - Business as Usual (1991)
9. Bold Fenian Men by The Go-Lucky Four - Irish Capers (1967)
10. Sally Garden by Barleyjuice - The Morning After (2008)
11. The Craic Was Ninety in the Isle of Man by Various Artists - The Essential Irish Folk Collection (2003)
12. Four Green Fields by Eamonn McGirr - Live in Concert (1984)
13. Green Hills of Tyrol/When the Battle's O'er by Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band - The Pipes (and Drums) Are Calling (2009)
14. Rosin the Bow by Barleyjuice - The Morning After (2008)
15. May the Light of Love by The Intermountain Trio - Live at Skyheart (2010)
16. Hills of Tipperary by Eamonn Ryan - Where the New World Meets the Old (2001)
17. Michael by Johnny McEvoy - Ireland's Original (1993)
18. Oh, Danny Boy by Erin's Pride - May the Road Rise to Meet You (1996)
19. The John McLean March by North Sea Gas - Glencoe Massacre (2008)
20. Rolling Home by Tommy Makem - Rolling Home (1989)
21. Irish Eyes by Cahal Dunne - Shamrocks and Heather (1997)
22. Frankie and Johnny by Frank Jaklitsch - Seize the Day (1996)
23. Many Young Men of Twenty by The Wolfe Tones - 25th Anniversary (1991)
24. Phil the Fluter's Ball by The Celtic Tenors - Irish Album (2003)
25. Dark, Deep, Rolling Water by Isla Grant - Mother (2001)
26. The Punch and Judy Man by Barleycorn - Green and Gold (2002)
27. 3 Counties Medley: Boys From the Co. Mayo/Lovely Leitrim/Homes of Donegal by Tony Kenny - Through the Eyes of an Irishman (1995)
28. Ireland's Call by Tony Kenny - Ireland's Call (1997)
29. Wild Mountain Thyme by Kevin Evans - Galway to Graceland (1996)
30. Song For Ireland by Mary Black - Song For Ireland (1998)
31. The Rat Upon the Harp by The McKrells - Somethin' Fierce (2000)
32. Slievenamon by The Wolfe Tones - Live Alive-oh! (1986)
33. The Voyage by Celtic Thunder - Celtic Thunder: The Show (2008)
34. Fields of Athenry by Paddy Reilly - The Gold and Silver Days (2001)
35. Irish Stew by Anne Barrett - Shamrock the Album (2003)
36. You Touched Upon my Life by Various Artists - The Wedding Song Collection (1995)
37. Swig by Barleyjuice - A Night at the Pub (2008)

Mareena's 'Pick of the Week'

20. The Wall by Michael McCann - Soldiers' Songs (1996)

Why did I choose this song? In honor of Veterans' Day which is officially observed on November 11 in the United States. Veterans' Day is a day to observe the service and sacrifice of all U. S. military veterans, as opposed to all military service members who died in the service of their country. 

 The song The Wall was written in 1985 by Tim Murphy, a Vietnam veteran who received the Silver Star in Vietnam. It is sung by Michael McCann, a former paratrooper and Army Special Forces (Green Beret) medic. The title of the song refers to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D. C. Dedicated on Veterans' Day in 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial holds 58,272 names (as of May 2011) of soldiers either killed in action or missing in action from the Vietnam War.

Slán Abhaile, Martin Fay!

In Loving Memory of

Martin Fay (1936-2012)

Born: Cabra, Dublin - (Fiddler and Bones Player)

Fiddler with The Chieftains

Years active: 1960-1969 with the Irish traditional band, Ceoltóirí Chualann; 1962-2001 with The Chieftains.

Albums: Martin Fay recorded more than 30 albums with the Chieftains until he stopped touring with the band in 2001.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Fay Family on the passing of their loving brother, husband, father and grandfather Martin Fay. Martin was inspired to take up music after seeing a movie about the life of the violinist Niccolò Paganini. Although his mother taught him to play the piano from an early age, by age 15, he had persuaded his father to buy him a violin. He was originally going to become a classically trained violinist and after leaving school at 18, worked in an office by day and in the evenings played in the Abbey Theatre orchestra, where he eventually met the theatre's musical director, Seán Ó Riada.   

Seán wanted to create a chamber orchestra that played arrangements of traditional folk music. Martin Fay's classical training, and a growing interest in Irish music, led him to join Ceoltóirí Chualann, Seán's new ensemble in 1960, with which he enjoyed some radio success. In 1962, Martin Fay was one of the original founding members of The Chieftains. The group's popularity soon extended beyond folk music enthusiasts and they had reached fame by 1975.

Martin passed away on Wednesday, November 14, 2012. He was 76 years old and had suffered through a prolonged illness. He is survived by his wife, Gráinne, also known as Gertie; a son, Fergal, a daughter, Dearbhla Fay; as well as a sister and a grandson.

God rest your soul, Martin, the music world is a little dimmer for your passing!

Slán Abhaile, Martin! 

Playlist For 11 November 2012

1. Heather Breeze/My Love is in America by Barleycorn - My Last Farewell (2002)
2. Wearing of the Green by The Wolfe Tones - Profile (1991)
3. The Bramble and the Rose by Barleycorn - My Last Farewell (2002)
4. You're Not Irish by Seamus Kennedy - On the Rocks (2004)
5. Four Green Fields by The Clancy Brothers - Greatest Irish Hits (1995)
6. Celtic Girl by Barleyjuice - The Morning After (2008)
7. Hay Wrap by The Saw Doctors - All the Way From Tuam (1993)
8. Local Hero by Phil Coulter - Recollections (1993)
9. Summertime is Coming/O-Ro by Aoife Clancy - Soldiers and Dreams (2001)
10. The Bold Tenant Farmer by Cahir O'Doherty - 19 Great Irish Songs (1994)
11. The John McLean March by North Sea Gas - Glencoe Massacre (2008)
12. The Craic Was Ninety in the Isle of Man by Various Artists - The Essential Irish Folk Collection (2003)
13. Ireland's 32/Irish Washerwoman by Dermot O'Brien - Let's Have a Party! (1985)
14. Lady of Knock by Deirdre Reilly - A Toast to the Irish Colleens (1999)
15. Red is the Rose by The High Kings - Memory Lane (2010)
16. We'll Meet Again my Friends by Isla Grant - A Dream Come True (2002)
17. Lincoln's Army by Johnny McEvoy - Ireland's Original (1993)
18. Scotland the Brave/Rowan Tree/Wings by Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band - The Pipes (and Drums) Are Calling (2009)
19. Jackets Green by Mary O'Dowd - A Portrait of Mary O'Dowd (1991)
20. The Wall by Michael McCann - Soldiers' Songs (1996)
21. Tunnel Tigers by Sean Keane - Turn a Phrase (1996)
22. The Fields of Athenry by Derek Warfield - A Nation Once Again (2003)
23. Day of the Clipper by Schooner Fare - Day of the Clipper (1978)
24. What's the Rumpus? by Gaelic Storm - What's the Rumpus? (2008)
25. Too-ra-Loo-Ral by Tony Kenny - The Very Best of Tony Kenny's Ireland Volume II (1998)
26. Bonnie Dundee/Steamboat by Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band - The Pipes (and Drums) Are Calling (2009)
27. The Irish Wedding Song by Various Artists - The Wedding Song Collection (1995)
28. Fisherman's Blues by The Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues (1988)
29. Mountain Dew by Hair of the Dog - Release the Hounds (1997)
30. Back Home in Derry by Hair of the Dog - Release the Hounds (1997)
31. The Parting Glass by The High Kings - The High Kings (2008)
32. Belfast by Paddy Noonan - Paddy Noonan Presents Irish Eyes (1986)
33. Boolavogue by The High Kings - Memory Lane (2010)
34. Send me a Song by Celtic Woman - Celtic Woman (2005)
35. Let Erin Remember/The Harp That Once Through Tara's Halls by Derek Warfield - A Nation Once Again (2003)
36. Ready For the Storm by The Fighting 86s - Blood Brothers (2010)
37. Kevin Barry by Derek Warfield - A Nation Once Again (2003)
38. Please Come Home by The Elders - Wanderin' Life and Times (2011)
39. Song of Liberty by The Wolfe Tones - Profile (1991)
40. The Boy From Ballymore by Anne Barrett - Shamrock the Album (2003)
41. A Nation Once Again/God Bless America by Dermot O'Brien - Let's Have a Party! (1985)

Mareena's 'Pick of the Week'

27. Helicopter Song by The Wolfe Tones - 25th Anniversary (1991)

Mountjoy Prison, as it is known today, was opened in 1850 
as Mountjoy Gaol - nicknamed 'The Joy'

Why did I choose this song? The Helicopter Song is a number one single by the extremely popular Irish band The Wolfe Tones. The song tells the story of the brazen daylight escape of three Irish Republican Army prisoners from Dublin's Mountjoy Jail. On October 31, 1973, an IRA member hijacked a helicopter and forced the pilot to fly to Mountjoy where the three prisoners - J. B. O'Hagan, Seamus Twomey and Kevin Mallon - were lifted by helicopter from the exercise yard of the D wing of the jail at 3:40 pm. The incident was a major embarrassment for the Irish government.

Despite The Helicopter Song being immediately banned by the government, the song topped the Irish popular music charts, peaking on November 22, 1973 and staying at Number One for four weeks. 

A manhunt involving twenty thousand members of the Irish Defence Forces and the police force of Ireland, the Garda Síochána, was launched for the escapees. Kevin Mallon was recaptured at a dance in a hotel on 10 December 1973; and imprisoned in Portlaoise Prison - which he also escaped from during a mass breakout of nineteen prisoners on 18 August 1974. He was recaptured in Dublin in January 1975 and returned to Portlaoise Prison.

J. B. O'Hagan was recaptured in Dublin in early 1975, and also imprisoned in Portlaoise Prison. After he served out his original twelve-month sentence, he was immediately rearrested and sentenced to a further two years for escaping. Seamus Twomey evaded recapture until 2 December 1977, when he was spotted sitting in a car in Sandycove by members of the Garda's Special Branch who were investigating an arms shipment after a tip from the Belgian police. He drove away after spotting the officers, before being recaptured in the center of Dublin after a high-speed car chase. He was also imprisoned in Portlaoise Prison until his release in 1982.  

CD Received

The Pipes (and Drums) Are Calling by Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band (2009)
Genre: Celtic Folk
When did we receive it? 7 November 2012

First of all, we would like to thank our good friend and a faithful listener to "Proud to be Irish" - Glenn - for sending us this CD. The Scotia-Glenville High School is in Scotia, New York. All the members of the pipe band are between the ages of eight and eighteen years old. The Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band were crowned World Champions of the Novice Juvenile Division at the World Pipe Band Championships held in Glasgow, Scotland in August of 2012

Congratulations on such a wonderful achievement, kids! We are so proud of you! :) Please keep an eye on our newly reinstated playlists as we may be playing some cuts off this CD on future programs.

Playlist For 4 November 2012

1. Jig Set by Barleyjuice - The Morning After (2008)
2. My Homeland by Isla Grant - Mother (2001)
3. Juice of the Barley by Barleyjuice - The Morning After (2008)
4. Ballad of St. Anne's Reel by Sheila Noonan - Radio Sweethearts (1999)
5. My Heart's Tonight in Ireland by Various Artists - Common Ground: Voices of Modern Irish Music (1996)
6. Southern Cross by Joe Giltrap - The Soldier's Tree (1999)
7. What's the Rumpus? by Gaelic Storm - What's the Rumpus? (2008)
8. Come to the Bower by Seamus Kennedy - On the Rocks (2004)
9. Brennan on the Moor by Brakin' Tradition - Presence in the Past (1995)
10. Day of the Clipper by The Intermountain Trio - Live at Sky Heart (2010)
11. Foggy Dew by The Canny Brothers Band - One Drop of Whiskey (2010)
12. Mother's Chair by Isla Grant - Mother (2001)
13. Oh, Danny Boy by Erin's Pride - May the Road Rise to Meet You (1996)
14. A Nation Once Again by The Highland Rovers Band - Brave Lads All (2007)
15. Green and Red of Mayo by The Saw Doctors - All the Way From Tuam (1993)
16. Coultergeist by Phil Coulter - Highland Cathedral (2000)
17. Katy Daly by Eamonn McGirr - Different Yet the Same (1996)
18. May the Light of Love by The Intermountain Trio - Live at Sky Heart (2010)
19. Fisherman's Blues by The Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues (1988)
20. The Raggle Taggle Gypsy by The Waterboys - Room to Roam (1990)
21. Home From the Sea by Phil Coulter - Words and Music (1981)
22. The Lighthouse by Tara Shamrock - One For the Road (1997)
23. One Day at a Time by Various Artists - Emerald Classics (1988)
24. The Rose of Mooncoin by The Wolfe Tones - Belt of the Celts (1993)
25. Bacach Bui by Dermot O'Brien - Let's Have a Party! (1985)
26. Anywhere Is by Enya - The Memory of Trees (1995)
27. Helicopter Song by The Wolfe Tones - 25th Anniversary (1991)
28. Lady of Knock by Deirdre Reilly - A Toast to the Irish Colleens (1999)
29. Songs of Home by Barleycorn - My Last Farewell (2002)
30. Phil the Fluter's Ball by The Celtic Tenors - Irish Album (2003)
31. Rambles of Spring by Cahir O'Doherty - 19 Great Irish Songs (1994)
32. Bundlin' by Dominic Kirwan - Echoes of Ireland (2003)
33. Mary's Eyes by Gaelic Storm - Tree (2001)
34. Mr. Moses Ri-Tooral-I-Ay by The Clancy Brothers - The Best of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem (2001)
35. Bantry Bay by Phil Coulter - Forgotten Dreams (1989)
36. The John McLean March by North Sea Gas - Glencoe Massacre (2008)
37. Celtic Heartbeat by The New Barleycorn - Ireland's Celtic Heartbeat (1997)